Jon StojanBlack orchids represent mystery, power, and sophistication. They are a symbol of absolute authority, combined with the great, delicate beauty of orchids. Black Women are like black orchids—powerful, fierce, and creative, yet their achievements are veiled under the cover of mystery. This interpretation of the black orchid by Sha Battle was the inspiration behind Black Women’s History Month, an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit created to uplift Black women, tell their stories, and honor their legacies.
As part of her efforts to cherish Black women and acknowledge their contributions to society, Sha Battle turned April into Black Women’s History Month in 2016. Since then, she has been dedicated to highlighting the unique experiences of Black women, from transformational achievements to life-defining discoveries and creative contributions to artistry. In April 2025, to showcase admiration and recognition during this special month, the nonprofit will host the Black Women’s History Awards & Gala.
More than a supportive space curated to empower Black women, next year’s gala symbolizes Sha Battle’s resilience and commitment to fulfilling her mission. The event, held at the Sonesta Atlanta Airport North hotel, is the first gala since a 4-year-long hiatus sparked by COVID. Hosted by Tiffany Talks, the 2025 Black Women’s History Awards & Gala will foster a dedicated space for celebration, recognizing Black women who have succeeded despite racism, sexism, and other forms of discrimination.
What inspired the creation of Black Women’s History Month and the gala was a moment of epiphany Sha Battle experienced during her professional journey. While exploring diverse career avenues, from IT and software to consultancy, jewelry, and makeup retailing, Sha Battle found herself in the world of galas and award events. There, she researched Black female jazz artists and studied their contributions to American history. What Sha quickly realized is that, despite always being an advocate for equality, she never heard of most of these women.
“That knowledge is so easily accessible, yet it is rarely taught. With no one to impart this side of history to youth, we have created immense voids in the education space,” she stresses. “Some people don’t want us to know how much we have contributed, and others are simply oblivious. Whether you celebrate it or not, Black herstory played a crucial part in world history, and we have to acknowledge it.”
Centuries-long oppression and diminishing the value of Black people, especially women, has pained a skewed perception of reality. “We need to educate others to raise awareness and ignite a new level of respect for one another. Right now, so many people assume that Black women are ignorant, uneducated, unmotivated, and non-creative. That’s just not true,” she adds. “To shatter these stigmas, we have to shine a light on what Black women have really achieved throughout history.”
For young women especially, Black Women’s History Month stands as a reminder of their value and potential. As Sha emphasizes, showing teens, kids, and young adults that Black women’s accomplishments are celebrated is bound to increase their confidence and pride, help them embrace their authentic selves, and let their creativity and power shine.
Black Women’s History Awards & Gala in April 2025 is Sha’s step to rewriting history books and amplifying the voices that have been stifled for too long. Looking into the future, Sha Battle envisions a world of equal opportunities, respect, and celebrating Black history. Black Women’s History Month was first officially recognized in Georgia in April 2016 and has since been established in Virginia in 2024. Sha eagerly anticipates the adoption of Black Women’s History Month across other states in America. While her mission has flourished in the U.S., it embraces women of African descent worldwide, including Afro-Australian, Afro-Latina, Afro-European, and many others.
“Black women are the unsung heroes of history. So detrimental to shaping the society we live in now yet so rarely recognized for their accomplishments and contributions. From politics to artistry and science, Black women have done it all, and it’s time we all realize it,” Sha Battle shares, reflecting on the battle Black women are still fighting every day. “Black Women’s History Month in the US is just the beginning; the vision extends far beyond America, and my mission is to reach all corners of the world. Through unity and recognition, Black women will finally be celebrated the way they deserve.”