Dr. Monique W. Couvson

Dr. Monique Couvson (formerly known as Dr. Monique W. Morris) has always prided herself on being a trailblazer throughout her successful career, actively bringing the worlds of education and social justice together. Dr. Couvson is currently the President and CEO of Grantmakers for Girls of Color, composed of four separate funds, including the Black Girl Freedom Fund. She also created the National Black Women’s Justice Institute, which addresses the criminalization of Black women and girls and the many ways those systems should be dismantled. Dr. Couvson has authored several award-winning books including Pushout: The Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, which speaks to the ways school systems should be changed in order for Black girls to thrive. As she told Philanthropy News Digest, “Trust and respect Black girls, femmes, and gender-expansive youth. Center their leadership and abundantly resource them. When we get out of their way, we all thrive."