Marissa Ramnanan – Local Journalism Initiative
Fabiola Ngamaleu Teumeni and Mariame Touré wanted to help young Black girls find their sense of self, to understand what it meant for them to be a Black girl growing up in Quebec, and in Canada, through the power of literature and community.
“We dreamed of a place. A place where Black girls such as ourselves could meet, and talk about books that were solely written by Black authors,” Mariame said.
“We lived in a world, at the time, and I think we can still say, today, where Black girlhood wasn’t really understood,” Mariame said. “It wasn’t celebrated, and it was often reduced to stereotypes.”
They wanted to create a safe space where young Black girls could thrive and feel seen and heard. And in 2020, that’s exactly what they did.
Black Girls Gather (BGG), is a free book club for Black girls and non-binary youth in the Greater Montreal area between 12 and 17 years old. It’s a program offered through the West Island Black Community Association (WIBCA).
Members can explore everything the Black culture in Montreal has to offer. The group holds dance workshops, candle making workshops, painting lessons, creative writing sessions, movie nights, trips to museums, and even historical tours of the city.
At the group’s “A Day in the Life” event in June, it was clear BGG is so much more than a book club— it’s a sisterhood.
“It’s good to be connected with people who look like you and go through the same thing as you,” said 14-year-old Nikei Goin who has been a member of BGG for the past 2 years.
She told the CONTACT her favourite book from the book club is “Curlfriends” by Sharee Miller.
“It makes you feel like you’re not alone,” said Goin.
In a panel conversation at the Gerry-Robertson Community Centre, the book club members spoke about how difficult it is growing up in a city like Montreal, where most people don’t look like them. Especially in school, where they are often one of the only Black students in their grade, or sometimes, the entire school.
“It helps you have connections you didn’t think you would have, and it helps you get out of your comfort zone,” said Nikei. “A lot of us said that we wouldn’t really talk in school, but now we’re talking and we get involved in things we didn’t think we would do before.”
The girls explained having a community like BGG and WIBCA is important and builds confidence.
Fifteen year-old Sanaiya Sungwa has been a member for three years.
“Being able to know that you’re in a space where you’re not the only one is one of the biggest things,” she said.
Through Black Girls Gather, and the books they’ve read together, Sanaiya learned something life changing.
“I’ve learned that you can accomplish anything, no matter your race, no matter your identity, no matter your age. You can really just do whatever you want if you put your mind to it, even if people try to break you down.”
For Sanaiya, the Book Club also helped her unlock her artistic side. Now, she’s writing her own book, and loves drawing and poetry.
The sisterhood doesn’t end when you turn 18, either.
18 year old Asherah Ramdhan Page was part of the club for all five years of her highschool career. She was the MC of the event in June.
“Being a part of it was so, so amazing,” said Asherah. “Connecting with fellow Black girls in the Montreal area, being able to read Black literature–something that I was never exposed to, prior. I’d been put on to so many good authors: Tiffany D. Jackson, Nicola Yoon, Ebiza Boy, the list goes on.”
Asherah said she wishes the club would extend to 19 or 20 years old, so she could still be in it.
Indya Borden has been a facilitator and administrative assistant for BGG for 4 years. The club has been rewarding for her as a mentor.
“When you provide a space for young kids, you can really see them come into themselves,” said Indya. “This space has allowed them to grow, and be more outgoing. They make friends, they speak up, they speak their opinion, they debate…when you’re in a safe space, you can be yourself.”
“Join Black Girls Gather,” urged WIBCA president Joan Lee. “It’s a great book club, it’s a great mentoring club, and it’s free. Come on out, and we would be happy to educate the girls and just be a part of the Black community. It’s a great place to be.”
For more information about Black Girls Gather, check out their website: https://blackgirlsgather.wibca.org/
