About 30 participants gathered at the Mississippi Museum of Art on a warm Saturday evening in Jackson for the inaugural meeting of the city’s new chapter of Black Girls in Art Spaces (BGIAS). The intergenerational group came together for a private tour of Of Salt and Spirit: Black Quilters in the American South, an exhibition featuring more than 50 quilts crafted by Black women from the southern United States. The exhibit was led by curator Sharbreon Plummer.

“It was so timely that this show was up at the same time that this group was launching in Jackson,” said Plummer, reflecting on the significance of the moment. “There is something beautiful about Black women gathering to appreciate the work of other Black women and understanding that these quilts are more than fabric — they are stories, legacies, and testimonies.”

Black Girls in Art Spaces, a growing initiative dedicated to creating inclusive environments for Black women and girls in artistic and cultural settings, aims to ensure representation, access, and connection in spaces where they have historically been excluded or underrepresented.

The Jackson event marked a meaningful start to the chapter’s mission, bringing together artists, students, educators, and elders to explore art while fostering dialogue across generations. Attendees shared personal stories, engaged in thoughtful conversation, and reflected on the themes woven into the exhibition — memory, resilience, and cultural identity.

“This felt like home,” said one participant. “It wasn’t just about looking at art. It was about being seen, being heard, and connecting through shared experiences.”

The BGIAS movement, which continues to expand across the United States, recently hosted a meetup in the DMV area — the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia — in partnership with Black Girl in Archives and curator Asha Abdul-Mujeeb. That gathering took place at Langston Golf Course, continuing the group’s focus on building culturally relevant and affirming spaces for Black women and girls in diverse locations.

Organisers say the goal of these chapters is to nurture a sense of belonging through curated cultural experiences while amplifying the voices and creativity of Black women.

“Our presence matters,” said one BGIAS organizer. “We’re showing up in museums, archives, and galleries not just as observers, but as curators, historians, and storytellers.”

As Black Girls in Art Spaces grows, its mission remains centered on community, creativity, and cultural reclamation — with each gathering serving as a reminder of the power of Black women coming together through art.