A Movement Finds It’s Voice
Audacity To Be Heard officially launches as a new home for Black women's voices, leadership, and community impact.
What Began as a Launch Became Something More
Many arrived expecting a website launch.
Others expected an afternoon of celebration and fellowship.
What they experienced instead was the official beginning of a movement.
On May 17, women leaders, community advocates, elected officials, entrepreneurs, organizers, past honorees, and supporters gathered at BEGOOD Studios for the launch of Audacity To Be Heard — a movement dedicated to honoring legacy, amplifying voices, and advancing the work of women creating change throughout their communities.
But as founder Mary Gardner reminded attendees throughout the afternoon, this movement did not begin that day.
It had already been years in the making.
Through the Ida B. Wells Alpha Suffragists Club, Honor & Sheroes, Sister March, Protest to the Polls, and Women of the 7th Congressional District, women had already been gathering, organizing, celebrating one another, and creating change.
Audacity To Be Heard simply gives those efforts a permanent home.
Honoring Legacy
A central theme of the afternoon was legacy.
Not only the legacy of Ida B. Wells and the women whose shoulders we stand on today, but also the women whose work is creating the shoulders future generations will stand on tomorrow.
Throughout the event, attendees reflected on the importance of preserving stories, celebrating leadership, and ensuring that the contributions of Black women are recognized, documented, and remembered.
As Mary Garner shared during her remarks:
"Legacy is not only something we inherit. It is something we continue."
The event also featured portraits of past honorees who will become the foundation of the future Audacity Wall of Fame — a living archive celebrating women whose service continues to impact their communities.
Amplifying Voices
One message surfaced again and again throughout the afternoon:
Women deserve to be heard.
For some, Audacity To Be Heard represents a place where women can reclaim their power.
For others, it represents a space where stories that have historically been overlooked can finally find a platform.
For longtime community leader Shirley Fields, the phrase carried a deeply personal meaning:
"As little girls growing up, we were always told to be seen and not heard."
Today, she says, women are claiming the right to be heard.
Community leader Anton Atkins described the movement as creating a home for voices that have always existed but have not always been centered.
Angelica Green described it simply:
"We're getting our power back."
Voices From The Movement
The launch concluded with conversations featuring supporters, community leaders, award recipients, and steering committee members reflecting on what Audacity To Be Heard means to them.
Among the themes shared:
Empowering women to lead
Preserving community stories
Building unity across generations
Creating opportunities for future leaders
Ensuring Black women's voices remain visible and influential
As one supporter shared:
"This launch is not only a launch for women. It's a launch for the community."
Advancing The Work
The launch was never intended to be a one-day event.
Beginning in July, Audacity To Be Heard will continue through monthly gatherings designed to foster conversation, connection, and community.
The movement will also expand through storytelling initiatives, the upcoming Audacity To Be Heard podcast, the Wall of Fame project, and future opportunities for women to share their experiences, leadership journeys, and vision for change.
As Mary Gardner reminded attendees:
"What began as a moment is becoming a movement."
Join The Movement
Audacity To Be Heard exists to honor legacy, amplify voices, and advance the work.
If you believe in creating spaces where Black women can be seen, heard, celebrated, and empowered to lead, we invite you to join us.
Together, we will continue building a future worthy of the women who came before us and the generations still to come.
