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By: Juliana Udo, 11th grade, King-Drew Magnet HS
Los Angeles has always been influenced by strong Black women who refuse to stay silent, especially when it comes to protecting Black girls. Their activism shows that leadership is about using your voice, organizing your community, and standing up even when it’s uncomfortable.
One of the most influential activists from L.A. is Patrisse Cullors, co-founder of the Black Lives Matter movement. Her work challenges police violence and the criminalization of Black communities. She helped shift the national conversation around justice and accountability, reminding everyone that Black lives, including the lives of Black girls, deserve protection and dignity.
Another strong leader is Dr. Melina Abdullah. She is an organizer and educator who consistently advocates for Black communities in Los Angeles. She speaks out about how Black girls are often treated like adults, hypersexualized, and punished instead of being protected. Her work centers on the humanity of Black women and girls and demands real change.
As a member of the Women’s Leadership Project, I see how that legacy continues through us. During Human Trafficking Awareness Month, WLP hosted a screening of a short film directed by Dr. Sikivu Hutchinson. The film tells the story of a college-bound Black girl from South L.A. navigating foster care, ambition, and the dangers of grooming and trafficking. It sparked important conversations about prevention, solidarity, and how we can disrupt systems that fail Black girls.
WLP King-Drew also created a student-led PSA to educate our peers about trafficking warning signs and to highlight how Black girls are disproportionately targeted and often overlooked in conversations about victimization.
On April 18th, we’ll gather at Leimert Park to march for Missing and Murdered Black girls. This isn’t just an event; it’s a statement. It shows that Black girls matter, their lives matter, and their stories will not be ignored. The Black women who came before us built the foundation. Through WLP, we are carrying that forward by protecting each other, educating our community, and leading with purpose.
