CHICAGO — The founders of the new organization "Black Girls Break Bread" want to "uplift, empower and inspire black women."
Jessica Davenport-Williams, 35, sister Jazzy Davenport, 28, and their friend Khadija Warfield, 35, created the organization to offer a safe space filled with sisterly love.
Their upcoming event is from 6-9 p.m. Dec. 10 at an undisclosed Chicago location. Once women register through Eventbrite, they will receive the address. Advance tickets are $5. Registration ends Thursday.
Davenport-Williams, of South Shore, said the three founders would always look forward to going on an annual women’s retreat because it allowed them the opportunity to unite and spend quality time together. Warfield, a Garfield Park native, suggested they create a similar event for all women.
Taking a chance, the women posted the event online in October to gauge the interest.
“We received a tremendous response, even nationally,” Davenport-Williams said.
Black Girls Break Bread will become a quarterly event that brings together black women from all walks of life. They will eat together and participate in an open discussion moderated by the organization's founders.
“The mission is to uplift, empower and inspire black women,” Davenport-Williams said, adding that the group will do that through creating a safe space for the women to meet.
She also said the organization aims to eradicate the myth that black women don't support one another.
"We can work together and we do support each other," Davenport-Williams said.
Black Girls Break Bread committed to using venue owned by black women, plus black women chefs, graphic designers and other professionals.
The black woman experience can be challenging, said Davenport, adding that black women oftentimes carry a lot on their shoulders and have few opportunities to release the pain, hurt and stress
“The goal is to help women be liberated because we go through so much in this country,” she said. “We want to create a judge-free space and create a tight knit community.”
Davenport-Williams said a lot of black women play a lot of roles in life — mother, sister, wife, etc. Because they’re being strong for others, they tend to hide their own feelings.
“We have to always keep this face on,” she said.
The women said anyone who registers for the event is strongly encouraged to bring another woman.
“My hope and prayer is that when women come, they can be themselves and put their titles to the side,” Warfield said. “We want for them to come and receive encouragement, a hug, and leave feeling liberated.”
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