Black Girl Magic: Creating Safe Spaces and Celebrating Identity in Leicester
Leicester’s Black Girl Magic group created by Leicester city councils’ youth services and supported by Leicestershire Cares, is proving to be a powerful platform for young Black girls to connect, share experiences, and celebrate their culture in a safe and supportive environment.
In a recent podcast, members of the group - Nevaeh, Holly, and Nina, alongside youth worker Natalie, reflected on the activities and discussions that have shaped their time together. From creative projects to honest conversations about identity and racism, the group has become a lifeline for many of its members.
The sessions have included learning practical skills such as braiding, exploring the cultural significance of drumming, and highlighting artwork that was displayed in local museums. Competitions and cultural celebrations, including attending Jamaica versus England football matches and participating in Leicester’s Caribbean Carnival, have allowed members to proudly embrace their heritage.
But the group is not about cultural expression - it is also a place to tackle difficult topics. Members spoke openly about experiences of racism in schools and public spaces, including being followed in shops, subjected to offensive stereotypes, or feeling pressured to represent all Black history during lessons. For these young women, Black Girl Magic offers a safe space to discuss these realities without fear of judgement.
Discussions have also covered beauty standards, online safety, and the pressures young Black girls face to present a “perfect image” in predominantly white environments. Role plays and video projects have helped the girls explore healthier communication with parents, while also sending strong messages to professionals about how to better support young Black women.
The group has become a bridge between African and Caribbean communities, encouraging unity and understanding while celebrating differences in food, music, and traditions. Members highlighted how meaningful it is to be part of a group specifically for Black girls, noting that it offers relatability and comfort that can be harder to find in wider community spaces.
Food has played a significant role too, with sessions featuring jollof rice, dumplings, and rice and peas, giving everyone a chance to share and learn from each other’s cultures. The girls are eager to expand this further, suggesting cooking workshops and trying dishes from beyond the Caribbean and African diaspora.
Most importantly, the group has given young Black girls the confidence to embrace their identity. Through projects such as creating photo bouquets with affirmations and national flags, members are reminded to value their heritage and take pride in their melanin.
The Black Girl Magic group is more than an after-school activity - it is a movement of empowerment, unity, and resilience. Thanks to the support of Leicestershire Cares for giving the space to run these important sessions and the Powering on project for helping the YPs to create this podcast and giving them a digital space to have their own voice. These young women are not only finding their voices but ensuring they are heard in schools, families and across the wider community.
Seeing young women grow in confidence and learning about their cultures and learning from alders from their communities is a powerful thing to witness, what the youth services are doing with these young women is amazing.
Aaron