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About us

Our Story

What We Do!

Hey Black Girl! is a Black-led, feminist, and climate-conscious nonprofit organization committed to advancing equity for Black women and Black gender-diverse communities. Our work is rooted in menstrual equity, education, and community outreach. Through culturally relevant, community-driven programs, we create opportunities for Black individuals to grow both personally and professionally. Whether distributing sustainable menstrual products, delivering skill-building workshops, or fostering networking opportunities, we are committed to building pathways that center empowerment through representation. We align our efforts with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). Our vision is to advance Black communities and develop systems where they are not only visible but also structurally supported and positioned for success in every space they occupy.

Why We Exist

Hey Black Girl! was founded to address the critical gap in representation, access, and opportunity for Black women and gender-diverse individuals. In a world where many systems overlook our communities, we create spaces that affirm, uplift, and center our voices. We exist to provide culturally relevant, intersectional, and purpose-driven environments where empowerment goes beyond theory to become a practical reality. Through mentorship, knowledge-building, and providing access to career opportunities and personal development, we equip individuals with the tools they need to thrive. Our work focuses on long-term change, creating sustainable spaces for growth, development, and community support.

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

Co-Executive Director

Tanaka Chitanda

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.
Co-Executive Director

Martina Mbadinga

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.
Co-Executive Director

Angela Ouma

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.
Creative Director

Cindy Tibazarwa

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!
Strategic Planning Specialist

Tariro Chigubu

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

Communications Manager

Ubah Guled

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!
Fundraising and Partnerships Manager

Vashti Darko

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.