Rooted in Sisterhood: The Hey Black Girl! Story
Hey Black Girl! was born when its founders, as recent immigrants to Canada, recognized the need for a dedicated community in a culturally relevant space where Black-gender marginalized individuals could receive unconditional support, master professional tools, and build their own networks of innovation. Born from the need for a space built on shared lived experiences, we don’t just advocate for equity; we embody it. Hey Black Girl! is a Black-led, feminist, and climate-conscious organization dedicated to fostering empowerment through authentic representation.
Our commitment is rooted in eliminating systemic inequality. We are focused on removing barriers, especially given that only 25% of racialized women and 2SLGBTQI+ people report being paid equally to their peers. We are creating the educational pathways, mentorship networks, and financial resources that guarantee economic and professional parity.
Our local action drives global change: our programs are anchored by the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ensuring our work advances Quality Education (SDG 4), Gender Equality (SDG 5), and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10).
Our Impact
We are HBG
OUR MISSION
Our mission is empowerment through representation.
OUR VISION
Our vision is to create a world where Black women and non-binary individuals are celebrated and supported in all areas of life.
OUR HISTORY
Hey Black Girl! was founded with the intention of creating spaces where Black women and non-binary individuals can connect, grow, and thrive.
Meet The Team
Executive Team
Meet Tanaka! Her experience in youth engagement, social media coordination and grant writing aligns with her role of overseeing digital branding, revenue generation and strategic development. She is passionate about community building, sustainability and the advancement of marginalized communities. As a co-founder of HBG, her hope is to provide a digital platform where all Black women can enrich themselves - personally and professionally.
Meet Martina! Martina currently works in Insurance Claims in Toronto. She obtained her Bsc in Law and Society and African Studies from York University. Martina is a strong believer in creating spaces for Black women to be themselves, and be surrounded by other Black women in order to uplift and encourage one another. In her current role, she brings substantial management experience for the role of Director of Communications. She oversees both external and internal communication, and manages staff who work in communications or public relations.
Meet Angela! A third year law student at the University of Windsor, Faculty of Law and BA (Hons) Political Science and African Studies graduate. Angela is passionate about making sustainable and effective change in her community specifically in advancing gender equality and investing in African women worldwide. In her current role she is responsible for the planning and execution of workshops and fundraising initiatives.
Meet Cindy! Our Creative Director, bringing her experience in branding and creative knowledge to the team. After graduating with a degree in Marketing and Psychology from Saint Mary’s University in 2018, Cindy worked briefly for Crave + HBO + STARZ at Bell Media. She is currently a graduate student at New York University in Visual Arts Administration. Being a creative professional, Cindy has always been passionate about uplifting the presence of Black voices and narratives in the creative industry through tools such as community programming. As our Creative Director, she curates all arts and culture-based programming, oversees the branding for Hey Black Girl, and is currently spearheading the exciting project of the HBG Zine!
Meet Tariro. A Business and Communication Finance graduate, currently working at TD Canada Trust. Her vast experience in finance and success in networking makes her a great asset to our Sponsorship and strategic division. Tariro is very passionate about bringing the voices of black women together through podcasts and different media platforms.
Operational Staff
Ubah is a creative marketing strategist and communications expert with a passion for storytelling, community building, and amplifying underrepresented voices. As the Communications Manager at Hey Black Girl, she oversees strategic messaging, media outreach, and impactful campaigns designed to foster safe spaces for Black women and identifying folk to thrive.
With a strong foundation in media, social media strategy, and influencer marketing, Ubah has spent over three years honing her expertise in crafting sponsorship strategies and building meaningful partnerships. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, while connecting with the community in authentic and innovative ways.
Whether she's planning the next transformative event or championing Black women’s stories, Ubah is committed to making a meaningful impact with Hey Black Girl!
With a strong foundation in media, social media strategy, and influencer marketing, Ubah has spent over three years honing her expertise in crafting sponsorship strategies and building meaningful partnerships. Her work is driven by a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, while connecting with the community in authentic and innovative ways.
Whether she's planning the next transformative event or championing Black women’s stories, Ubah is committed to making a meaningful impact with Hey Black Girl!
Meet Vash! She is a Carleton U Law alumni and has worked her way up in donor relations and nonprofit fundraising sector for over 5 years. Her experience as a Black woman who struggled fitting into corporate culture & navigating the obstacles to professional mentorship as a Black woman, fuels her passion for building relationships throughout the GTA to continue funding more spaces and opportunities for Black women & non-binary folk to thrive.
