In June of 2020, Blvck Womxn Worldwide launched a linguistic experiment, using program participants as a case study. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Black-serving organizations and the communities we serve are repeatedly disenfranchised by the post-enslavement question: "Who do you mean by Black"?  African-American? Kenyan? Dominican? Afro-Latino? Does a bi-racial woman with an Egyptian father qualify for resources allocated for the "Black" community?

 

Today, we fully recognize the failure of existing definitions to support all identities within our community and submit a solution. "Black" captures a crayon nicely, but fails to fully identify the powerful intersections within our people. We invite you to recognize your agency to establish your own identity as a human being. We also invite the world to participate in this exercise in healing, by respecting words chosen by the people within these powerful communities. 

​

We spell “Black” with a “v” to signify the intersection of Pan-African descendants that live, work, and play within our global community. It is important to capitalize the B when referring to a people with ancient heritage. A small b indicates an adjective describing a color without personhood. “Blvck” is our chosen identification, through a global lens, that is fully inclusive of all peoples that self-identify as: Black, indigenous and Black, mixed with Black, multi-racial including Black, Caribbean Black, Afro-Latino, African-American, and all of the indigenous citizens of all nations on the continent of Africa wherever you may be. As we uplift one another, we discard the barriers of interracial divides in order to celebrate our collective and ancient lineage. In this global community, "Blvck" has so many powerful voicess and we celebrate them all.

​

“Blvck” is pronounced /blak/.

​

We spell “women” with an “x” because we recognize all Black women stand at the intersection of their various identities. We are each built differently, and therefore beautifully. We are also threatened collectively, by the Ten (10) Pillars of Disempowerment. Here at BWWW, we are inclusive of all Black women without bias. Discrimination and gatekeeping do not serve our safety, growth, or success. We seek to cure vulnerability with equitable connection powered by #BlvckWomxn from all over the world. We welcome all of our sisters from all walks of life including: our professional sisters, our single mothers, our cis and transgender sisters, our LGTBQ+ sisters, our established sisters and our sisters who are seeking new ways to grow and create. We are here to be the bridge between you and the essential ingredients necessary for mental, physical, emotional, and economic well-being. Welcome home to your tribe, Sis.

​

“Womxn” is pronounced /ˈwimin/.