INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
Lift Each Other Higher
Celebrating Strength, Success & Sisterhood
“Let’s stand together as a community of empowered and unstoppable Blackwomen.”
As another queen so eloquently put it: who runs the world? GIRLS!
March isn’t just a month—it’s a movement! This International Women’s Day is a time to honor, uplift, and amplify the undeniable brilliance of Black women.Black women are the heartbeat of our communities—holding families together, excelling in careers, shaping culture, and driving meaningful change. Too often, our voices, contributions, and brilliance go unnoticed. But not this month. Not ever. This month, we turn up the volume and celebrate the strength, beauty, and resilience of Black women in our community. We see you. We celebrate you. We uplift you.
The Power of Black Women in Our Community
Here in Durham, we are surrounded by unstoppable, resilient, and ambitious Blackqueens who are not just breaking barriers but building legacies in every aspect of life. They are excelling in career, family, education, activism, entrepreneurship, and personal growth. Whether you’re leading in business, pursuing higher education, raising a family, advocating for change, or prioritizing self-care, you are a force to be reckoned with. But let’s be real—navigating life’s challenges isn’t always easy. That’s why spaces like our amazing group Black Queens of Durham, are essential. Here, we lift each other up, share resources, and ensure that every queen in this community has what she needs to thrive. But this celebration isn’t just about recognition—it’s about action. It’s about showing up for one another, creating opportunities, and ensuring that every queen has the support she needs to thrive. Because when one of us rises, we all rise.
Lift Each Other Higher
1. Support Each Other’s Businesses on Social Media
We are 11,000 members strong, with the collective power to make a real impact on social media. Since we’re on our phones anyway, why not take a few minutes to support our business owners and entrepreneurs in a meaningful way?
Follow & Subscribe: Boosts visibility, increases engagement, and helps businesses reach more potential customers.
Engage Consistently: Likes, comments, tags, and shares tell Facebook and Instagram’s algorithms that content is engaging, expanding its reach.
Leave Reviews & Testimonials: A positive Google review boosts a business’s credibility, improves search rankings, and attracts more customers.
Connect Them: Recommend them for opportunities, partnerships, or media features.
Use Their Hashtags: Increases brand visibility.
2. Celebrate and Empower Each Other
Empowering and celebrating each other is all about lifting each other up and having a blast while doing it. It’s sharing wisdom, cheering each other on, and celebrating every win, no matter how big or small. When we’re in it together, we’re unstoppable
Mentor & Guide: Mentorship isn’t just for the workplace—it’s for life. Share your insights and experiences, whether through formal mentoring or casual chats. Set up regular check-ins with a friend or colleague to exchange advice and support. If you have the experience, consider becoming a mentor to someone else – helping them grow will also empower you.
Share Opportunities: If you hear about a job opening, a business opportunity, or an event that could help a friend, pass it along.
Compliments & Encouragement: Make it a habit to genuinely compliment each other. Whether it’s about their look, their work ethic, or how they handle life, keep the positivity flowing.
Lift When They Fall: If a friend faces a setback, be the first to remind them how amazing they are and that this is just a step on the way to their next victory.
Offer a Helping Hand: Whether it's with childcare, a task at work, or just lending a hand, offer your support.
3. Create a sustainable work-life balance
For many women, "having it all" can feel more like trying to juggle flaming torches than living the dream. Balancing work, family, and personal goals is no easy feat, but realbalance isn’t about perfection – it’s about creating your own vibe and making it work for you.
Set Clear Boundaries: Set boundaries between work and personal life. This could mean turning off work emails after a certain hour, setting specific times for family activities, or designating “no-work” zones in your home.
Learn to Say No: It’s okay to decline tasks that add unnecessary stress or don’t align with your priorities. Remember, "no" is a complete sentence.
Prioritize Self-Care: I know we talk about self-care a lot, but it’s worth repeating –schedule time for activities that recharge you—exercise, meditation, reading, or simply relaxing. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to handle everything else.
Leverage Support Systems: Ladies, we don’t have to do it all alone! Lean on your partner, friends, family, or your professional network. Don’t be afraid to ask for help; it’s not a weakness, it’s smart.
Local Resources for Black Women in Durham
If you're looking for local resources for business, wellness, and community support, here are some to check out: If you’re looking for support, inspiration, and networking opportunities, here are some resources to check out: Explore local resources for business, wellness, and community support.
Durham Region Association of Black Professionals and Entrepreneurs (DRABPE) –A network designed to uplift Black business owners and professionals. (drabpe.org)
Women's Multicultural Resource and Counselling Centre of Durham (WMRCC) –Provides counseling and support for women of color. (wmrcc.org) Ajax Black-Owned Business Directory – A comprehensive directory of Black-owned businesses in Durham. (ajaxlibrary.ca)
Black Health & Wellness Program by Durham Community Health Centre –Supporting Black women with wellness and community-based services. (https://www.durhamchc.ca/our-services/equity-based-programs/black-health-wellness/)
Queens, This Month (and every month) is for Us
This International Women’s Day let’s stand together as a community of empowered and unstoppable Black women. Whether you’re excelling in your career, taking care of family, focusing on self-love, or making an impact in your own way - you are seen, valued, and unstoppable. Let’s take this month to pour into ourselves and each other.
Must-Attend Events
Check out these events celebrating International Women’s Day
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FREE
6:30PM - 8:30PM
Ajax Public Library - Main Branch, 55 Harwood Ave S Ajax, ON L1S 2H9 Canada
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Price: Varies
9:00AM - 3:00PM
Deer Creek Golf & Banquet Facility, 2700 Audley Road, Ajax, ON L1Z 1T7
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$20
10:00PM - 11:30PM
Jj's Bar and Lounge, 2814 Lake Shore Boulevard West Toronto, ON M8V 1H7
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$17.31
8:00PM - 9:30PM \ 10:00PM - 11:30PM
The Boardroom Lounge & Theatre - Event Space, 1350 Saint Clair Avenue West Toronto, ON M6E 1C4
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written by Nickisha Rashid.