Museum For Black Girls Returns, Inspiring Visitors with a Powerful Message
Museums often encourage education and inspiration, although the Museum for Black Girls aims to do so while uplifting a specific community. The space is now open once again to the public in a new location, leaving visitors with the same feeling of purpose.
“We want this to be a place where people will feel that warm and fuzzy feeling. Where people can come to often when they need encouragement, motivation, or when they need a break or a getaway,” said Co-Founder Vonn Ross. Alongside Charlie Billingsley, Ross transformed what was once home to Victoria’s Secret on 16th Street Mall into The Museum for Black Girls, an environment empowering visitors to be the best version of themselves.
We want people to feel encouraged, inspired and educated. Maybe you come in and learn about something you didn’t know,” Ross added.
Founded in 2019 in Denver Colorado, this pop-up museum has been celebrated in multiple cities as an evergrowing time capsule of the Black girl experience. With its recent return to downtown Denver, Billingsley and Ross have big plans to offer this space as a haven to reflect, dream and connect with one’s heritage through art and shared cultural experiences.
It’s no secret that the mall has been going through a revitalization between Fall 2023 to Fall 2025 with an estimated final cost of $172.5M. Part of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Pop Up Denver program, the Museum for Black Girls is a necessary and much-needed addition to this multi-million dollar renovation.
The Museum for Black Girls goes beyond a traditional gallery. When you walk through its doors, you immediately feel immersed in stories, cultures and experiences that deserve to be celebrated. Billingsley and Ross shared their desire to build up and connect with the community through events like poetry nights, art shows, private events, content photoshoots and more.
We want people to leave feeling inspired and like they can do anything. It’s our love letter to black women, and we want them to come in feeling loved and leave feeling loved,” said Billingsley
The pop-up’s new location highlights multiple exhibits and local art like “Grandma’s Kitchen,” our personal favorite – a magazine wall featuring iconic black female figures and celebrities, to a chandelier made out of hair barrettes and rollers. Each display tells a story and is an ode to the Black girl experience. Visitors can expect to see something nostalgic and inspirational through displays that offer connections to the past and present.
As a museum that honors and uplifts Black women and female empowerment, it’s important to note that this is an experience that can be celebrated and cherished by all audiences. To further encourage connection to the overall message of the museum, a wall decorated with envelopes and notes invites visitors to write letters or words of encouragement to girlhood, specifically Black girlhood.
Dear Black Girl,
You are a necessary and precious vessel for creativity and connection.
True beauty thrives in spaces that will uplift and dream with you.
The overall message of the museum is a powerful celebration of the unique experience that is Black girlhood. As a labor of love by the many hands that have touched every installation and art piece, The Museum for Black Girls is most definitely a space where Black women can feel seen, appreciated, and empowered.
For more information on upcoming events and activations follow their page @themuseumforblackgirls. The Museum for Black Girls is open Wednesday-Sunday 11 AM – 7 PM, to purchase tickets, visit the link HERE.