Madeira Student and Alum Present at Justice for Black Girls Conference

Tasheni Mpundu ‘24 (Tash) and alum Elshadye Bussie ‘22 presented their research, “The Suppression of Black Girl Magic in Institutions” at the Justice for Black Girls Conference at Spelman College in Atlanta, GA in November 2023. The pair originally gave the presentation virtually in 2022. The Justice for Black Girls conference organizers were so impressed that they flew Tash and Elshadye to Atlanta to present in person. 

“The conference was amazing. I had never been in a space full of so many Black people,” said Tash. “The experience was very inspiring and rewarding. I felt like I made a difference and truly made an impact in the same way I was impacted when I was younger.”

The Justice for Black Girls Conference is an organization that seeks to promote social justice and elevate black girls’ voices. Elshadye interned with Ms. Brianna Baker, the Founder and Executive Director of Justice for Black Girls Conference in 2021. Through Madeira’s Black Student Union (BSU), Elshadye and Tash invited Ms. Baker to campus to speak to the School. Over the course of her visit, Ms. Baker encouraged Tash and Elshadye to get more involved with the organization. 

The following summer, Tash presented on intersectionality, adulthood, school to confinement pathway, the five faces of oppression, and respectability politics.

“That experience was amazing,” Tash said. “Growing up, we’re all taught certain things, and you don’t know if others are going through the same things as you are. It taught me that all of our experiences are shared.”

Tash plans to go back to the conference in the future. “It’s such an encouraging and positive environment. There is a lot of talk about affirmations and students believing in themselves. I can’t wait to return.”
 

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