The Black Feminist Fund joyfully invites you to
Do Not Leave the Arena to the Fools
A Gathering Organized by Rashida Bumbray
October 18-19, 2026
Hotel Saint Vincent
1507 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA
About the Event
In 1995, Toni Cade Bambara sent a postcard to her dear friend Nikky Finney, in which she wrote, “Nikky, do not leave the arena to the fools.” Finney describes it as the most important postcard of her life.
We draw from this prescient sentiment to gather in celebration of the Black Feminist Fund’s 5th Year Anniversary. In a time of targeted attacks and rising authoritarianism, we choose Black Feminist Friendships as the grounding from which to summon the Black feminist future we all deserve.
Over the two days, we will bring together eminent Black feminists from entertainment, business, the arts, movements and philanthropy to explore how we will tend to each other, and the Black Feminist Fund.
With an opening invocation by the Mystic Seven Sisters, a musical performance by Toshi Reagon, a reading by Nikky Finney, & a presentation by Sharifa Rhodes-Pitts, among the unique perspectives of esteemed participants, please do join us for what will be a transformative space of joyous connection.
The Black Feminist Fund
Established in 2021, we are the first global fund dedicated to resourcing Black feminist movements like we want them to win. We support movements that are fighting against systems of oppression and building another world that affirms Black feminists and their communities.
From girls organizing in Somalia, advancing deaf women’s rights in Kenya, mobilizing Afro-Colombian women survivors of armed conflict to reproductive justice leaders in the US, Black feminists are leading necessary work and deserve to be resourced abundantly.