About The Commission
Our Background
The Commission on Black Girls was established in 2018 by Community Leader and former Councilmember Priscilla Tyson to better understand and address the experiences of Black girls in Columbus. The intent was to improve the quality of life of Black girls, and in 2020, the Commission released a report which highlighted challenges and opportunities related to education, health and wellness, and economic stability for girls in Columbus.
The findings from the report continue to inform COBG’s work and guide efforts to reduce disparities and expand opportunities for girls across the city.
In June 2022, the Commission joined the Department of Neighborhoods to strengthen its work alongside initiatives like My Brother's Keeper and the Community Relations Commission, focusing on enriching the lives of girls in our community.
Read the COBG Executive Summary(PDF, 733KB) and the COBG Quality of Life Report(PDF, 5MB) to learn more.
What COBG Does
The Commission on Black Girls is a City of Columbus initiative. While it does not provide direct services, it serves as an umbrella initiative - supporting, convening, and amplifying efforts across the community to improve the lives of girls in Columbus.
COBG Ambassadors
The COBG Ambassador Program is the Commission’s only direct service initiative. Designed for transitional-age girls (freshmen, sophomores, and juniors), the program provides Ambassadors with leadership skills, mentorship, and opportunities to use their voices to advocate for themselves and their community.
Read more about the Commission on Black Girls Ambassador Program here.
Advisory Board Leadership
The Advisory Board brings together community leaders from sectors aligned with recommendations in the Report on the Quality of Life of Black Girls. The board helps guide priorities and provide insight into the most pressing issues girls are experiencing in the Columbus Community.
Community Partnerships
COBG collaborates with girl-serving organizations across Columbus through partnerships, funding, and sponsorships. These relationships strengthen the network of support for girls.
Non-Profit Accelerator
To strengthen the capacity of small and grassroots nonprofits serving girls, COBG in partnership with MBK launched the Non-Profit Accelerator Initiative. This effort provides participants with expert-led training, one-on-one technical assistance, peer learning opportunities, and tools to grow their sustainability. By investing in organizations, COBG ensures that community-based partners have the resources needed to address the most pressing needs of girls and families.
Advocacy
The Commission on Black Girls supports the CROWN Act (Create a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair), which became law in Columbus on January 16, 2021. Championed by COBG founder Councilmember Priscilla Tyson and former Councilmember Shayla Favor, the law prohibits race-based hair discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations.
The CROWN Act ensures that natural hairstyles, such as braids, locs, twists, and afros - cannot be used as a reason for punishment or exclusion in schools, workplaces, or other settings.
Please contact the Community Relations Commission to file a discrimination complaint.