Founded by Kayla A. Hicks, a renowned advocate and change-maker, Sustain Equity Group (SEG) is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Black women in violence prevention and community violence intervention. Our primary campaign, 100 Black Women & Girls (100BWG), is specifically designed to "Breaking the Silence on Violence" and empower Black women in violence prevention and community violence intervention through research, advocacy, education, and beyond.

Our mission at Sustain Equity Group (SEG) is to empower black women and girls affected by gun violence by providing resources for overcoming trauma, creating opportunities for education and employment, and fostering a sense of community. Guided by the values of resilience, empowerment, and community, we strive to create a safe and supportive environment where advocate homicide survivors and co-survivors of gun violence and a wide range of Black women experts, scholars and practitioners working on gun violence prevention and community violence intervention can heal, grow, and thrive.

Kayla's personal journey, marked by resilience and determination, serves as the foundation of our organization. Having overcome childhood violence, neglect, and abandonment, and the tragic loss of her twin sister, Kayla dedicated her life to serving others and honoring her sister's memory. 

Kayla's commitment to social justice and equity is reflected in her impressive credentials. She is an alumnus of the American Express Social Justice Leadership Academy, a member of the 2022 Vital Voices Visionaries Cohort 2 Estée Lauder Emerging Leaders Fund, a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) by the National Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, and a Certified Adult Mental Health First Aid Practitioner through the National Council for Mental Well-being.

Before founding SEG, Kayla made significant contributions to the Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) movement as a leader in the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence, now the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Center for Gun Violence Solutions. In 2013, she became the first person in the GVP movement to shed light on the daily gun violence experienced by Black and brown communities, leading to impactful policy and program changes in Virginia.

Throughout her career, Kayla has worked with law enforcement to build bridges between Black communities and police, using the 21st-century policing model with a community lens to navigate differences. She has also worked with policymakers to shape and inform policy narratives and the needs of Black communities.

SEG, under Kayla's leadership, continues to make strides in its mission. Kayla's collaborations with homicide survivors and co-survivors, influential figures, and media outlets demonstrate her unwavering dedication to driving meaningful change. Her extraordinary journey, extensive expertise, and media presence make her a powerful voice and advocate for Black women, creating pathways for greater equity, opportunity, and social transformation.

Our organization's history is a testament to our commitment to resilience, empowerment, and community. We are proud of our achievements and look forward to continuing our work in fostering a more just and inclusive society.


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