On July 3, 2026, the Mississippi Black Women’s Roundtable and One Voice convened Built By Us: Black Women, Power & The Next 250 during ESSENCE Festival weekend in New Orleans.
This Mississippi-centered gathering brought together Black women, youth leaders, advocates, entrepreneurs, faith leaders, elected officials, and community changemakers to celebrate our collective power, reflect on the progress we have made, and imagine what the next 250 years should hold for Black women and girls.
The program featured findings from the Black Action Agenda Survey, insights from the Status of Black Women & Girls in Mississippi Report, and a dynamic discussion exploring leadership, advocacy, culture, community, and the future.
Attendees also experienced music from Mississippi’s own DJ Fortress and a special conversation and performance featuring Mississippi-raised singer, songwriter, and storyteller KIRBY.
Built By Us was more than an event. It was an opportunity to honor the women who came before us, amplify the voices shaping our communities today, and create space for the ideas and leadership that will define what comes next.
Watch the full event recap below and experience the conversations, connections, and moments that made Built By Us a powerful celebration of Black women, power, and possibility.