Every day is Day of the Girl at SousSHE. This week, we move with extra intention.

As the world marks October 11 as International Day of the Girl, SousSHE continues to pour into Black girls through culture-rooted programs that support wellness, leadership, and creative expression.

From Culinary Cuties to Paint Me Empowered, our work centers the voice and vision of Black girls across Oakland. This is what building belonging looks like. This is what resourcing brilliance feels like. sousshe.org

The clothing swap was a beautiful exchange of fabric and outdated stuff. Conversations initially centered on releasing clothes that no longer fit their bodies or reflected how they saw themselves today. Like every circle, clothing involvement or not, focus turned to what they were outgrowing emotionally.

In May, SousSHE turned rooms into refuges. From healing circles on boundaries and body wisdom to building presence at the Mental Wealth Block Party, we moved in rhythm with what Black women are asking for—spaces that don’t perform healing, but practice it. As we shift into June, we’re not starting something new. We’re continuing something sacred. With circles like That’s SomeBODY, Rewriting Your Rules, and the return of Paint Me Empowered, we’re creating community strategies for wellness that are rooted in culture, consistency, and care. This is what healing in public looks like.

Why Prioritizing Space Matters

Black women are often the backbones of their families, communities, and movements—but rarely invited to prioritize themselves. In a recent study by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), only 25% of Black women who experience mental health conditions receive adequate treatment.

Reflecting on Abbey’s words and the wisdom shared in the circle, we invite you to join us in making wellness a daily act of liberation. Cook with intention, choose ingredients that empower your body, and remember that every meal can be a step toward healing—from the ground up.

What’s Tea? The dictionary says tea is the dried and prepared leaves of a shrub, Camellia sinensis, brewed into a somewhat bitter, aromatic beverage. It could also be flowers, herbs, or roots steeped into soothing remedies or even a good old British afternoon meal. And of course, let’s not forget —“What’s tea, sis?” For us,

We believe in the power of radical generosity. This belief isn’t just theoretical—it’s the foundation of everything we do. This #GivingTuesday, we’re reminded of the transformative power of generosity and how it helps us empower Black women and girls to thrive at SousSHE.

Sis, Let’s Talks Surrender was an intentional space designed to empower Black women to embrace the art of letting go. It wasn’t easy—healing never is—but it was a night of profound transformation, where we discovered the beauty and power in releasing the burdens that no longer serve us.

On October 11th, SousSHE and the world comes together to recognize and celebrate the International Day of the Girl.