Black Girl Walking Club, Inc.
We are a “Nork” based walking club for Black women seeking healing through walks, conversations and building friendship.
Our Mission
The mission of Black Girl Walking Club, Inc. (BGWC) is to empower and uplift Black women through wellness, community building, and the joy of walking together. We are committed to fostering a supportive environment where Black women can thrive, build meaningful relationships, and priortize their physical and mental well-being. Everything we do is centered around the health, happiness, and empowerment of Black women.
About Us
Black Girl Walking Club is a dynamic nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safe, affirming, and empowering spaces for Black women. Rooted in the belief that movement, community, and self-care are essential to our collective well-being, we initially come together through walking as a way to connect with one another and with our environment.
Outside of walking, our work extends even further. We host a wide range of wellness-centered experiences that encourage community, movement, and sisterhood, including retreats, panel discussions, wellness workshops, social gatherings, and networking events. Each offering is intentionally designed to uplift, inspire, and support Black women on both their personal and professional journeys.
Our mission is to foster belonging, promote mental and physical wellness, and cultivate meaningful, lasting connections. Whether we are sharing stories, engaging in honest conversations, moving our bodies, or simply being in community, Black Girl Walking Club is more than a walking group — it is a movement rooted in healing, empowerment, and solidarity. We are committed to building a supportive network where Black women can show up as their authentic selves, thrive together, and walk boldly into their power.
Dr. Arcia Marie Stokes, a proud native of Newark, New Jersey, is the Assistant Principal of Specialty at Zeta Charter Schools, bringing extensive experience in educational leadership. She began her career as a performer and later a music teacher before moving into school leadership, serving as an Assistant Principal for multiple organizations and most recently holding the role of Director of Arts and Athletics at a high school in Harlem.
Dr. Stokes holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Master of Voice Performance and Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College, a renowned music conservatory in Princeton, New Jersey. She went on to earn her Doctorate in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Leadership, Management, and Policy from Rider University. One of her proudest accomplishments is completing her higher education journey—earning three degrees—which has empowered her to serve in impactful and meaningful ways.
In addition to her work in education as an Assistant Principal in New York City, Dr. Stokes is the visionary founder of Black Girl Walking Club, Inc., a wellness collective created to reimagine what health, joy, and healing look like for Black and Brown women. The organization is rooted in the belief that wellness is not a luxury but a necessity, and it provides spaces where women can reclaim rest, restoration, and vitality. Through intentional movement practices, community walks, curated wellness events, and sisterhood-centered engagement, Black Girl Walking Club uplifts women to prioritize their physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
Dr. Stokes believes deeply in the healing power of walking together. She often describes collective movement as a form of community healing - where every step creates space for connection, release, affirmation, and joy. In BGWC, walking is more than exercise; it is a ritual of belonging, a practice of emotional liberation, and a pathway for women to heal in community rather than in isolation.
Dr. Stokes is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated®, where she continues to live out her commitment to service, scholarship, and sisterhood by serving as the Mental health Chairman. She sees her work in both education and wellness as an act of empowerment and love- recognizing that when Black women thrive, entire communities are strengthened. Through her leadership, she remains deeply committed to healing, equity, and creating transformative spaces where all individuals can flourish.
Chapters
North Jersey
Central Jersey
South Jersey
NYC
DMV
Connecticut
Chicago
If you would like to start a chapter in your city, please email us at bgwc@blackgirlwalkingclub.com