Respect
Support
Empower
Founder's Story
On 18 April 2018, a Whatsapp group was created by the BLOG Founder who realised there was a lack of community for Black women living in Groningen (Netherlands). Her initial goal was to create a space that made it easier for Black women to connect in order to build friendships and provide support for each other. As an international student herself, she knew the difficulties attached to moving to a whole new country and wanted to build “a home away from home.” She understood the importance of solidarity and wanted to create a platform that, not only, made it easier for members to share their experiences with each other, but also one that promoted empowerment and sisterhood. BLOG has grown beautifully and is now a full-fledged organisation. We are committed to providing members with opportunities across vast areas in order to contribute to their general well-being and advancement on all levels of society. This includes, but is not limited to job, housing, and networking opportunities. We essentially help each other out with anything and everything!
About us
BLOG stands for Black Ladies of Groningen and is a community that allows us to take a break from the outside world together with people that understand and relate to us on every level.
Mission
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To create a platform that allows our members to share experiences, empower, support, and connect with each other;
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To raise awareness when necessary, and educate the public on topical and social issues that affect us;
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To contribute to the general well-being and growth of our members.
Our vision is to expand our community both nationally and internationally. However, we hope that one day, society as a whole becomes a safe space so that communities such as BLOG would no longer be needed
Vision
Meet the Board
Thandeka Wolf
President
Hi I'm Thandeka I grew up in South Africa and came to the Netherlands to do my masters in Environmental & Infrastructure Planning. I now work as a subsoil and groundwater consultant. I am the president for this year 22/23 and I hope to see stronger bonds of sisterhood in our circle. I am passionate about the decolonisation of climate action and sustainability. I would love to see us as black women take up our rightful space in society,unapologetically so.
Aminata Seye
Vice-President
Hi, my name is Aminata but I usually go by Ami. I'm from Senegal but I was born in France and lived in den Haag and Arusha (Tanzania) before Groningen. This year I have changed courses and will be studying European languages and Culture I'm going to be the
Vice President for BLOG this year and my goal is to be a voice for black women in the city.
Bahati Nyahunzvi
Secretary
Hi everyone my name is Bahati. I am 20 years old and in my second year studying history. I'm Zimbabwean but I grew up in Botswana. As BLOG's secretary, my main goal is to contribute to our growth as much as I can (which is code for meeting and including as many black women possible because I love us)!
Rosa Eerstelling
Event - Coordinator
Hi! My name is Rosa and I am Surinamese-Dutch, born and raised in Groningen but worked, studied and lived life outside of Europe for several years. I'll be the Event Coordinator for BLOG! Get in touch with me if you have ideas about events, or want to brainstorm or co-create healing spaces, inspirational spaces, fun spaces, safe
spaces (...you name it!) for womxn of Caribbean and
African decent.
Thando Tanda-Maseko
PR- Officer
Hellooo. My name is Thando, I am 25 years old from sunny South Africa. I moved to groningen last year in pursuit of a masters degree (purr). That being said I'm currently studying my masters in international security which I absolutely enjoy. The way which we understand society largely depends on abstraction, representation, and interpretation. Thus, as this years PR officer I aim to connect people and provide visibility for individuals within our community and demonstrate the impact and contributions we provide to society.
Irene
Treasurer
I'm Irene, a graduate of the University of Groningen and one of the OG's of the BLOG. My expertise are in Business Economics, Philosophy and Entrepreneurship. The aim of mine, within this board year is to leave the BLOG with sustained chances of survival, so that more women like me can feel supported and inspired.
Stacey Lamptey
Founder
Stacey Lamptey is the Founder of BLOG. She graduated with an LLB in International & European Law at the University of Groningen. She is a community builder/ organiser who is passionate about the empowerment of minorities. Her other interests include painting, reading novels, and engaging in meaningful conversations.