WASHINGTON – Thursday, Aug. 13 is Black Women’s Equal Pay Day, meaning Black [and Africana] womxn work four months more than white women and eight months into the “new” year before making as much as their white male counterparts.

Coordinated by the Office of the Dean of the Chapel at Howard, Howard University’s Black Womxn’s Summit: #SayOurNames, is a day-long intergenerational and intra-racial virtual summit that seeks to address the issues related to sexism, racism and police brutality that impact Black womxn.

“Howard University’s Black Womxn’s Summit is continuing the legacy of the chapel in its prophetic message of love and justice," said Bernard L. Richardson, Ph.D., dean of the Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. “The opportunity to join together with campus partners, advocate for, and support Black womxn is critical now more than ever. This summit is a catalyst for change that affirms the chapel’s commitment to our leading principles: faith, service and justice.”

#SayOurNames is a celebration of Black Womxnhood. All of the summit’s sessions were curated to educate and uplift Black womxn and their allies. The sessions will cover topics ranging from racism and sexism’s impact COVID-19, mass incarceration and police brutality, Black womxn in higher-education, and media as a tool of resistance.

“The experiences, challenges, and histography of Black womxn are critical to understanding how structures and institutions miss the mark with attempts at social justice, diversity, and inclusion often by deploying a violent tactic known as erasure," said Andreya J. Davis, assistant dean for faith-based and community initiatives. "Sadly, the intentional erasure of Black womxn is not a new paradigm. That is why the Office of the Dean of the Chapel, with the support of Women of the Mecca, Ladies of Howard University Howard University Alumni Association and numerous student organizations, organized this summit—to honor Black Womxnhood and put a microphone in front of the voices of the unheard."

“The issues Black womxn face are even more complicated and challenging if you are a Black Muslim womxn.  We are at the intersections of race, religion and gender.  When most people talk about Black womxn, they are rarely also talking about Black Muslim womxn.  When most people talk about Muslim womxn, they are rarely also talking about Black Muslim womxn. We are invisible,” said Dr. Nisa Muhammad, assistant dean for religious life. “Our erasure has to stop.  Say Our Names. Remember Us. Include Black Muslim womxn in what you do.”

Howard alumnae, Kiki Ayers, founder of Ayers Publicity, Erin Winters, founder of Erin on Demand, entertainment reporter and producer, Nayo Campbell, and Nicole Marie Melton as well as Howard academicians, Melanie Carter, Ph.D., associate professor and associate provost for undergraduate studies; and Bahiyyah Muhammad, Ph.D., assistant professor of criminology will grace the virtual stage. 

The summit will also include a business expo in support of Black Owned Business month and Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. #SayOurNames will conclude with a guided conversation between Rev. Marcia L. Dyson and Linda Sarsour. Dyson is the executive director of The R.O.S.E. Organization, founder of the Women’s Global Initiative, an astute businesswoman, author, and respected civic-social activist and Sarsour is an award-winning racial justice and civil rights activist, author, seasoned community organizer, co-founder of MPowerChange and Until Freedom, and mother of three.

 #SayOurNames is for Black womxn, across the spectrum, and their allies.

For more information on the summit and to register, visit chapel.howard.edu.

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About Howard University

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 13 schools and colleges. Students pursue studies in more than 120 areas leading to undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University operates with a commitment to Excellence in Truth and Service and has produced one Schwarzman Scholar, three Marshall Scholars, four Rhodes Scholars, 11 Truman Scholars, 25 Pickering Fellows and more than 165 Fulbright recipients. Howard also produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D. recipients than any other university in the United States. For more information on Howard University, visit www.howard.edu.

Media Contact: Misha Cornelius, misha.cornelius@howard.edu