Black Educated Lesbians

Black Educated Lesbians (BEL) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating connection, wellness, leadership, and liberation for Black lesbian adults. Through culturally-rooted programs, peer-led healing spaces, and economic empowerment initiatives, BEL exists to uplift and unite Black lesbians while building pathways to visibility, safety, and legacy.

We create spaces—online and in-person—where Black lesbian women are affirmed, supported, and celebrated.

Black Educated Lesbians (BEL) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2014 as a Facebook group and now grown into a global movement, serving over 5,000 Black lesbians across more than 65 virtual groups and 20 regional chapters around the world.

We are committed to creating culturally-rooted, affirming spaces that center the lived experiences of Black lesbians—spaces where we can heal, lead, connect, and thrive. Our work is grounded in values of community, sisterhood, equity, visibility, healing justice, and Black lesbian excellence.

BEL serves Black lesbians across all walks of life—working professionals, students, parents, creatives, community leaders, and elders. We recognize the unique barriers Black lesbians face at the intersection of racism, sexism, and homophobia—especially in the South and within systems that were never designed with us in mind. BEL exists to change that.

Through our five core program initiatives, we support our community in powerful ways:

• 🌱 SoulRoot Collective – cultural identity, intergenerational wisdom, and sustainability
• 💰 BEL Wealth & Legacy – financial literacy, entrepreneurship, and generational wealth
• 💪🏾 Be Strong & Healthy – physical wellness, nutrition, movement, and health equity
• 🧘🏾‍♀️ Mind, Body & Soul – mental health, healing circles, affirmations, and spiritual grounding
• 👩🏽‍🏫 EmpowerHER – youth mentorship, tutoring, professional development, and leadership

From monthly healing sessions and health equity workshops to our annual Black Lesbian Conference, we build community through action, care, and unapologetic celebration of Black lesbian brilliance.