Women To Watch 2024 honoree Kayla Hicks

Kayla Hicks is a powerhouse speaker, founder, and CEO of Sustain Equity Group (SEG), a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering professional equity for black women in community-based violence intervention and gun violence prevention initiatives, as well as other fields. With a strong focus on leadership development and mental, physical, and spiritual health, Hicks advocates for the well-being of black women and girls who suffer in silence from trauma, abuse, violence, neglect, and the foster care system.

Hicks has been a catalyst in addressing the unmet needs of black women and girls, who often face undiagnosed, untreated, or ignored health issues. As a keynote speaker, executive leadership development coach, and humanitarian, she has dedicated her life to helping others and rebuilding her own mental health. Hicks is known for her ability to build and maintain relationships with integrity, which has been instrumental in her success.

Prior to founding SEG, Hicks played a pivotal role in the Gun Violence Prevention (GVP) movement as a leader in the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence. She was the first person to shed light on the daily gun violence experienced by black and brown communities, leading to significant policy and program changes that have saved lives. Hicks has also worked as the African American and Faith Outreach state director for the 2008 Obama campaign, strategic planning coordinator for SEIU, political consultant, leadership transformation mentor, bail enforcement agent, private detective, and outreach director for the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence.

Hicks holds an AA and BS in interdisciplinary studies and has studied for her MA in human services counseling, crisis response, and trauma care from Liberty University. She is a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) member of the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, an American Express Social Justice Leadership Academy Alumni, and a member of the Association of Christian Counselors.

At SEG, Hicks and her team believe that every voice deserves to be heard and every life deserves to be protected. They recognize the unique challenges faced by black women and girls, including polyvictimization and complex PTSD, and are dedicated to providing them with the support and resources they need to heal and thrive. SEG goes beyond research and envisions a future where black women and girls have access to safe spaces and opportunities for growth and development. They are working tirelessly to secure a building and land for research and a retreat space that will serve as a sanctuary for women and children exposed to violence, as well as a hub for leadership development.

As a pioneering nonprofit organization, SEG collaborates with higher education institutions, organizations, and agencies to address the root causes of gun violence. They are committed to creating safe, culturally aware spaces where individuals can heal, grow, and thrive. By joining SEG in their mission to empower black women and girls, raise awareness about their work, and create lasting change, we can build a future where every black woman and girl feels safe, supported, and valued.