The Unita Blackwell Institute was held for the second time, July 6-10,2006 on the campus of Tougaloo College, a historically Black college near Jackson, Mississippi.

The goal of the Institute is to use a human rights framework to develop and increase leadership in an empowering space for young women and girls. All activities of the Blackwell Institute are designed to increase the number of young women involved in SRBWI activities and to build intergenerational ties between young women and older adults.

Eighty nine young women and their mentors from the Black Belt of Alabama and Georgia and the Delta of Mississippi actively participated in the five day Institute and studied the contributions of their ancestors to Human and Civil Rights, Health and Wellness, and Asset Economic Development. Other interactive workshops included Fashion Design, African American Dance and a discussion of how Hip Hop impacts young women’s self image. Spirituality and culture are integral parts of all SRBWI activities.

Young women had an opportunity to experience a slice of college life by staying in the dorms and eating meals on campus. Mentors worked with the participants in small groups on leadership development skills. The closing ceremony featured the Honorable Unita Blackwell, the first African American female mayor in Mississippi reading from her new book, Barefootin’, Life Lessons from the Road to Freedom and formal induction ceremonies for the young women into SRBWI membership.

Young women had fun learning new information and having new experience. Parents reported an improvement in their daughters’ self esteem, self expression and sense of responsibility.

SRBWI will work with participants and other young women throughout the year and they will have opportunities to participate in regional gatherings and projects in their home communities.

A video of the Institute will be available here in October.


For more information contact:
Wendy Shenefelt
601 321-1966
wshenefelt@childrensdefense.org

2006 Agenda

Introductory Track*

Day 1 – July 6, 2006
Travel to Institute
Registration, Expectations and Introduction to More is Caught than Taught
Cultural Program featuring Paula Larke

Day 2, July 7, 2006
Meeting with Mentors
Morning Meditation
Introductions
Welcome by Tougaloo College President Beverly Hogan
Goal of Institute
Workshops
Hip Hop Culture and its Impact on Young Women
Civil and Human Rights: The Struggle Continues
Free Time – Swim Time and Games
Cultural Event

Day 3, July 8, 2006
Meeting with Mentors
Morning Meditation
Wellness for Southern Rural Black Women
Dance Workshop
Free Time- Swim
Cook Out
Cutno Dance Company Performance

Day 4, July 9, 2006
Mentor Meetings
Morning Meditation
Local Asset Economic Development
Asset Development Workshops
Fabulous Fashion, Fashion Design and Marking
Presentations of video, hip hop and fashion project
Young Leaders Fun Evening

Day 5, July 10, 2006
Reflections on Institute
Closing Session
Remarks by the Honorable Unita Blackwell
Placing of plaque on tree honoring Unita Blackwell
Participants leave to return home

*advanced video and digital film making track will participate in early morning and evening activities.