Join the Story Circle – Black Girlhood Unfolded

The Story Circle

a space where your stories help us learn, heal, and grow together

At Black Girlhood Unfolded, we believe that every girl’s story is a thread in a much larger tapestry — one woven from joy, curiosity, courage, and care.

When girls and families share their drawings, reflections, or conversations here, they’re helping us paint a fuller, truer picture of what growing up means for Black girls today — in their bodies, hearts, and communities.

This section of the platform is more than a gallery — it’s an archive of becoming. It’s a place where families’ stories are treated with respect, confidentiality, and love. The insights you and your child share will help shape programs, research, and conversations that affirm Black girlhood in schools, clinics, and homes across the country.

Our Commitment to You

We take your trust seriously. Here’s what participation means:

  • Your Voice, Your Choice: Sharing is always voluntary. You and your child can choose what to submit and whether to make it public (within the platform) or private (for research only).
  • Careful Stewardship: Reflections, stories, and images are stored securely. Any material used for research or education will be de-identified — meaning your names and personal details will never be shared.
  • Community Benefit: What we learn will be used to create better resources for parents, teachers, and communities — never for commercial use or outside interests.
  • Right to Withdraw: You can change your mind at any time. If you no longer want your or your child’s contributions included, you can request removal easily.

Steps to Join the Story Circle

  1. Learn: Read through the Parent/Caregiver Information Sheet, which explains the purpose of the project and how your child’s contributions may be used.
  2. Discuss: Talk with your child about what participation means — and remind her that her voice, drawings, and reflections matter.
  3. Consent: Complete the short digital consent form. You’ll also help your child complete her assent form, which uses age-appropriate language to ensure she understands her choice.
  4. Share: Once consent is submitted, you’ll be guided to the upload area where you can add journal entries, artwork, or recorded reflections.

Stay Connected: You’ll receive updates about how the collective stories are shaping new resources and programs.

Collage art of two people hugging at a table, one older and one younger. The table has a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice. The older person wears a patterned headscarf and necklace.
Three people enjoy popsicles together: one sits on a couch, another sits beside them wearing a bird-patterned dress, and the third, with long hair, sits in a wheelchair. All are smiling and engaged in conversation.

Did you know…

  • Puberty is more than biology.
    Hormones may drive growth, but relationships, emotions, and social messages shape what puberty feels like. 
  • Social context matters.
    For Black girls, body changes can sometimes lead others to see them as “older” or “stronger” than they are. This is called adultification, and it can distort how teachers, peers, and even family respond to developing girls. 
  • Culture and community guide her understanding.
    Family, faith, and cultural traditions shape beliefs about girlhood and womanhood. During the pubertal transition, girls affirm their identity through traditions—stories, music, rituals, humor.
  • There is power in empathy and language.
    When you use words that normalize change (“Everyone grows in their own time”) and affirm worth (“Your body is doing something beautiful”), you help her feel safe to ask questions and express emotions.
Listening without fixing can help.

 Puberty can bring uncertainty. Sometimes, what she needs most isn’t advice, it’s to be heard. Actively listening when your daughter communicates can show care and respect for her growing voice.

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