Gabrielle Richardson’s New Initiative Is Creating Wellness Kits for Black and Brown Femmes

June 21 marked the group’s first activation at an art gallery in L.A., called Lei Min Space. With the help of actor Bria Vinaite, musician Kilo Kish, and art therapist Caitlin Brosious, Brown Girl Butterfly Project assembled and distributed around 100 kits containing products from wellness and beauty brands like Moon Juice, Essie, Versace, Stussy, Bliss, and Starface. Other brands have participated by sending donations to the initiative.

Since its recent inception, the Brown Girl Butterfly Project team has rapidly expanded its team of volunteers. Actors Laura Harrier and Alexa Demie and singer Raveena Aurora have all given their time to the cause. “None of this would be possible without them,” Richardson says. “[They are] this group of amazing women who believe in this project and want to do everything they can within their ability to help Black and Brown women find their peace during this time.”

The collective is currently planning to hand out more kits around the world, from L.A. and Atlanta to Paris, starting August 2. Richardson says they also have plans to create free closet spaces for trans women, a free community market, and free guided meditations (and other wellness offerings) for Black and Brown femmes. Although it’s hard to imagine having an HQ or gathering space of any sort in the time of quarantine, Richardson is holding onto the dream of a physical space where members of Brown Girl Butterfly could come together under one roof, “pushing towards making a difference and a better world for Black and Brown womxn and nonbinary folx everywhere.”