3D Girls Matter

Recently, at school, my 6-year-old daughter drew this picture of herself at the dentist’s

office. My favorite part is that in her drawing, the dentist is a Black woman. That

seemingly small detail means a lot to me because it reflects why I intentionally seek out

Black female doctors for her. I want her to grow up seeing herself in successful spaces,

knowing there are no limits to what she can achieve.  

Representation matters. When Black girls see people who look like them in roles like

doctors, scientists, and leaders, it shapes how they view their own possibilities. But

here’s the reality: only 3.8% of dentists and 5% of pediatricians in the U.S. are Black.

That gap underscores how much work there is to do to ensure every child feels seen

and empowered.  

@ATL: AdvanceTheLives, this is exactly why we do what we do. We’re all about

breaking down barriers to success for Black youth in Atlanta, and we’re proud to partner

with amazing organizations like 3D Girls, Inc. Their mission to educate and empower

young women aligns perfectly with our vision of an Atlanta where every Black child has

equal access to opportunity.  

Through programs like ATL’s Black Joy Fund, we’ve worked with 3D Girls to give their

participants access to experiences that spark creativity, build confidence, and create

lasting memories. These are the kinds of moments that plant seeds of possibility in

young minds. With our Black Youth Support Study Cohort, we’re providing

emergency support to families and gathering data to create better, more sustainable

support systems in the future.  

Whenever I see my daughter dream big—whether through her drawings or her

excitement about her future—I’m reminded why this work matters. Together with 3D

Girls and other community partners, ATL is helping ensure that Black youth in Atlanta

know they are limitless. Let’s keep making it happen.