Meet Raven Burns (Jackson)

We recently connected with Raven Burns (Jackson) and have shared our conversation below.

Raven , so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, I found my purpose to create the nonprofit organization called The Protect Brown Girls Organization through a profound realization of the compounded vulnerabilities faced by brown girls. As the pandemic unfolded, reports highlighted stark disparities in access to education, healthcare, and safety for marginalized communities, particularly among brown girls. Witnessing these disparities firsthand ignited a passionate drive within me to take concrete action. The isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic underscored the urgent need for targeted support and advocacy to uplift and protect these vulnerable individuals.

Driven by empathy and a sense of responsibility, I embarked on extensive research to understand the specific needs and challenges faced by brown girls during the pandemic. This research illuminated systemic barriers such as digital exclusion, heightened risks of gender-based violence, and limited access to essential resources. Armed with this knowledge, I formulated a clear mission for The Protect Brown Girls Organization: to empower and advocate for the rights, safety, and well-being of brown girls through targeted programs and initiatives. The pandemic served as a catalyst, amplifying my determination to create meaningful change and provide a platform for voices that often go unheard.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

At The Protect Brown Girls Organization, our mission is centered around empowering and advocating for the rights, safety, and well-being of brown girls. We focus on addressing systemic barriers and inequalities that hinder their access to education, healthcare, and protection from gender-based violence. Through targeted programs and initiatives, we aim to amplify their voices and create tangible change in their communities.

What excites me most about our work is the opportunity to make a direct and meaningful impact on the lives of brown girls. By providing educational resources, promoting health awareness, and fostering a supportive environment, we empower these young individuals to realize their full potential and thrive despite the challenges they face. Our commitment to inclusivity and social justice drives everything we do, ensuring that marginalized voices are heard and valued.

Looking ahead, we are excited to announce upcoming initiatives such as virtual empowerment workshops, community outreach campaigns, and partnerships with local organizations and schools to expand our reach and impact. These efforts will enable us to further support and uplift brown girls, advocating for equity and opportunities that are often denied to them. Join us in our mission to protect and empower brown girls everywhere – together, we can create a future where every girl has the opportunity to flourish and succeed.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Reflecting on my journey with The Protect Brown Girls Organization, three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge have been particularly impactful:

1. My passion fueled perseverance and drives meaningful action. It’s essential to deeply care about the cause I’m advocating for, as it sustains motivation during challenging times. To develop this, I have to immerse in learning about the issue, engage with communities affected by it, and connect with like-minded individuals who share my passion.

2. Constantly having strategic thinking involves setting clear goals, identifying the steps needed to achieve them, and anticipating challenges along the way. It’s crucial to develop a strategic mindset early on by breaking down my goals into actionable tasks, prioritizing initiatives based on impact, and adapting my plans as circumstances evolve.

3. Building meaningful relationships with my community and fostering collaborations with other organizations amplify my impact. Effective community engagement involves active listening, understanding diverse perspectives, and involving community members in decision-making processes. Collaboration allowed me to leverage resources, share expertise, and reach a broader audience.

For those early in their journey, my advice is:

-Educate Yourself: Take the time to educate yourself thoroughly about the issue you’re passionate about. Read research papers, attend webinars or workshops, and learn from experts in the field. This foundational knowledge will strengthen your advocacy efforts.

– Start Small, Think Big: Begin with manageable projects or initiatives that align with your mission. As you gain experience and build momentum, you can expand your scope and tackle more significant challenges.

– Build Relationships and Network: Invest in building genuine relationships with stakeholders, community members, and potential partners. Trust and collaboration are essential for sustainable impact.

– Stay Flexible and Resilient: Nonprofit work can be unpredictable, and you may encounter setbacks or obstacles. Stay flexible in your approach, be open to learning from challenges, and remain resilient in pursuing your goals.

One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?

We are always open to partnering and collaborating with individuals and organizations that share our commitment to empowering and advocating for brown girls. Here’s who we are looking to collaborate with:

1. Nonprofit Organizations: We seek partnerships with nonprofits working in related fields such as education, healthcare, gender equality, and youth empowerment. Collaborations can involve joint initiatives, resource-sharing, or advocacy campaigns to amplify our impact together.

2. Educational Institutions: We are interested in partnering with schools, universities, and educational programs to provide resources, mentorship opportunities, and workshops that support the educational advancement and personal development of brown girls.

3. Community Groups and Activists: We value partnerships with grassroots organizations and community activists who are deeply embedded in local communities and understand the specific needs and challenges faced by brown girls. Together, we can implement targeted programs and initiatives that address these issues effectively.

4. Corporate Partners: Collaboration with socially responsible businesses interested in supporting initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion is also welcome. This can include sponsorship of events, employee volunteerism, or in-kind donations to support our programs.

If you are interested in collaborating with The Protect Brown Girls Organization, we encourage you to reach out to us through our website or social media channels. You can connect with us by sending an email expressing your interest in collaboration, outlining your organization’s mission and areas of expertise, and proposing potential ideas or projects for collaboration. We believe that by working together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment where brown girls can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.protectbrowngirls.org
• Instagram: Protectbrowngirls
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ProtectBrownGirls/