Res. No. 486

Resolution recognizing the accomplishments of and issues faced by Black women by designating February 15 annually as Black Girl Magic Day in the City of New York.

By Council Members Stevens, Williams, Hudson, Joseph, Brooks-Powers, Hanks, Menin, Cabán, Hanif, Restler, Riley, Louis, Farías, Krishnan, Ossé, Sanchez, Rivera, Velázquez and Gennaro

Whereas, Third-generation Washingtonian educator and author CaShawn Thompson in 2013 celebrated the achievements, beauty, and strength of Black women-like her mother, aunts, and grandmother-with the digital hashtag #BlackGirlsAreMagic, which eventually became #BlackGirlMagic; and

Whereas, Thompson has explained that her use of #BlackGirlMagic was a reaction to too many negative stories in the media tearing down the success of Black women; and

Whereas, Thompson has pointed to civil rights activist Gloria Richardson, who organized and led the Cambridge (Maryland) Nonviolent Action Committee in early civil rights protests in 1962, as one inspiration for the Black Girl Magic movement-especially the historic photograph of Richardson as she disdainfully pushed away the bayonet of a threatening white police officer at a civil rights protest; and

Whereas, Thompson has explained that Black Girl Magic was always about honoring “everyday Black girl magic”-the way she saw herself-and not just “extraordinary Black women doing these amazing things that we all are collectively proud of”; and

Whereas, Assistant professor Asia Leeds of Spelman College, long recognized for educating women of African descent, noted that Black Girl Magic “identifies the ways that Black women make space for themselves, celebrate themselves, and connect to each other”; and

Whereas, Spelman College professor Michelle Hite noted that the popular Black Girl Magic hashtags became a way for Black women to say to each other that “I see you excelling and being successful in a context that is hostile to your very presence there, which makes it all the more glorious”; and

Whereas, At the “Black Girls Rock!” awards in 2015, Michelle Obama said that young Black girls too often heard “voices that tell you that you’re not good enough, that you have to look a certain way, act a certain way; that if you speak up, you’re too loud; if you step up to lead, you’re being bossy”; and

Whereas, February 15 is designated as National Black Girl Magic Day in the United States (U.S.); and

Whereas, Black women in New York City (NYC) have long excelled in all walks of life and in all sectors of the workforce, including in government service as New York City Council members; and

Whereas, Black women in NYC today are involved in public discussions of local, state, and national issues important to Black girls and women, especially those that address discrimination and inequality of opportunity; and

Whereas, The designation of a day is fitting to honor Black girls and women who bring so much to the social, cultural, economic, and political fabric of NYC; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes the accomplishments of and issues faced by Black women by designating February 15 annually as Black Girl Magic Day in the City of New York.

LS #12047

1/27/23

RHP