Michelle Obama said “If there’s one thing I’ve learned in life, it’s the power of using your voice.” When Simone Gordon was a mom in her 20’s she began using her voice. Simone was struggling with getting help for her non-verbal autistic son. She had reached out for help from traditional government and private agencies and was struggling to even get a return phone. Stressed, scared, and uncertain Simone used her voice and put out a Facebook post for help. Four women reached out and gave Simone support, guidance, and the help she needed. A week later her son was in therapy along with other support being put into place. That moment of using her voice, and these women using their voices to help Simone and her son, activated something inside of Simone. She wanted to help others who were struggling, especially Black and Brown women who are experiencing hardships. This quest to help provided a catalyst for Simone and the non-profit The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation (TBFGF) was formed. Simone graciously shared some of her time to talk about this remarkable organization.
“Fairy dust isn’t always shiny.” TBFGF
Simone’s experience launched her into taking action to serve “underserved, marginalized and underemployed women and their children, helping them get housing, go back to school, and rebuild their lives.” For the first seven years Simone did all things Black Fairy Godmother by herself while attending college and parenting her son who has numerous needs. Kathleen, one of the original four women, continued to support, guide, and encourage Simone by helping to pay for Simone’s college, providing a listening ear, and mentoring Simone. Because Simone, who social media named “The Black Fairy Godmother” had modeled reaching out for help, other women began to use social media to ask for help. A woman named Theresa was going to be evicted. She followed Simone’s lead on social media and enough money was raised to keep Theresea in her home. During COVID The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation raised over $250,000 that helped families with rent, food, and resources. They also provide support to senior citizens who reach out for help. No one is left behind. Where there is a need The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation will find a way to use their magic wands to help.
“Just because you have little doesn’t mean you have to feel little about yourself.” Kimberly Rumberg
From 4AM to 7PM every single day Simone and other dedicated Fairy Godmother volunteers are going through applications for support, vetting them, and then getting on social media to get help for people. No one at The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation, including Simone, is paid. The vast amount of programs and support provided includes: Emergency Assistance Fund, Birthday Fundraiser, Daily Fundraisers, FairyDust Scholarship Program, Angel Food Assistance Fund, Domestic Violence Fund, and Adopt-A-Family Program. Financial support, toiletries and hygiene products, transportation needs, school needs, and medical supplies, food, clothing, and other essential items are the main focus. The FairyDust Scholarship Program provides scholarships to “single marginalized mothers who want to attend school to help stabilize their lives by attending community college, obtain a license or certificate of their choice, or complete a GED program.” If you are having a birthday perhaps you could do a “Birthday Fundraiser” to make a difference by fulfilling a fundraiser for TBFGF instead of a gift. A yearly gala provides needed financial support while providing opportunities for major donors to meet some of the families they helped.
“The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation mission is to restore Black and Brown families’ stability by removing the barriers that keep them in abject poverty and domestic violence situations using the power of social media and crowdfunding to galvanize fellow ‘Fairy Godmothers’ to volunteer and contribute resources to help families in need.” TBFGF
Last year alone this mighty, fierce organization with moxie and an unlimited supply of FairyDust helped over 3800 lives all over the USA. Food and housing insecurity is great. Many people are struggling to eat and have a roof over their head. When Simone received the Tory Burch Empowered Women $5000 award she used that money to begin the FairyDust Scholarship Program. Fairy Dust has the power to make magical changes in someone’s life. The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation is using the power of a community, social media, and joy to help those who come to them for help “get to a place of stability and equip them with the proper tools and support so they may sustain themselves going forward.” Goals for the future include getting people to help TBFGF with social media along with writing grants as they want to share FairyDust magic and help with more people.
It is with honor and joy we shine the Kindness Champion Spotlight on Simone Gordon and The Black Fairy Godmother Foundation. Simone’s courage in reaching out for help has created a shimmer of FairyDust help that is forever changing lives.
Here is information on the incredible Black Fairy Godmother Foundation:
Website: https://www.theblackfairygodmother.org/
Instagram: @theblackfairygodmotherofficial https://www.instagram.com/theblackfairygodmotherofficial/
Facebook: @TheBlackFairyGodmotherFoundation https://www.facebook.com/theblackfairygodmotherofficial
X (Formerly Twitter): @TheBlackFairyG1 https://x.com/theblackfairyg1
LinkedIN: @TheBlackFairyGodmotherFoundation https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-black-fairy-godmother-foundation/posts/?feedView=all
YouTube: @TheBlackFairyGodmotherOfficial
