Sustain Equity Group (SEG) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded by violence survivor and community organizer Kayla Hicks in the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2020. SEG provides trauma-informed training, mentoring, and networking to Black women who are leaders in violence prevention, justice, education, economics, the arts, and other fields.

Equity is at the center of SEG’s work. We are committed to creating a safe, inclusive workplace in which Black women are given equal opportunities, equal pay, and accepted for their diversity. We also promote equitable philanthropic giving to organizations and companies led by Black women. 

​The two flagship programs of SEG are the Urban Training, Research, Advocacy Institute & Network (U-Train) and The National Black Violence Prevention Advisory Council (NBVPAC). U-TRAIN is a cohort leadership development program for Black women who have not been properly recognized/compensated for their work despite leading with lived experience, education, and expertise. The council is a premier network of Black scholars and experts representing a wide range of disciplines who support the cohort’s work on violence prevention with evidence-based research and recommendations. NBVPAC also utilizes research and data analysis to shed greater light on Black women’s experiences and legacy of trauma.