Since 2015, the Jean Hardisty Initiative has focused on moving resources to Black-led movements that are channeling protest energy into power, with a long-term goal of eradicating structural inequality and eliminating the systems that uphold it. As white nationalism is on the rise, tackling anti-Black racism is critical, and supporting Black-led movements is a powerful lever to create permanent change. Our 2020 grantees provided crucial movement infrastructure, developed and trained new leaders, and mobilized communities on the ground.

Dedicated to social movement building and grassroots organizing, the Jean Hardisty Initiative is named after and guided by the values of the late Jean Hardisty, a longtime WDN member and feminist scholar.

GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT
Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium
WDN provided seed funding for the Black Girls Dream Fund, an initiative of the Southern Black Girls & Women's Consortium founded by LaTosha Brown. The Fund is an innovative initiative that channels resources toward organizations that are intentionally supporting and empowering Black girls and women.

Mobilizing for Voter Justice
With voter justice at the forefront of our minds in 2020, the Hardisty Initiative dedicated significant resources to Black-led organizing both nationally and in states including Florida, Texas, North Carolina, and Michigan. This work complemented the efforts of our Participation & Representation Impact Collective, which granted $1.6 million to ensure that all voices were heard at the polls.