The Crown Collection is The Hillman Collective’s platform for amplifying Black women’s voices through scholarship, storytelling, and cultural expression. It houses two powerful entities:

The Torchbearer is our academic journal, spotlighting peer-reviewed research and critical thought that centers Black women and challenges systems of inequity. It’s a space where scholars and practitioners forge new paths toward justice.

The Meridian is our cultural and media hub, featuring blog posts, op-eds, art, interviews, and multimedia storytelling. It captures the pulse of the moment while honoring Black women’s legacy, creativity, and lived experience.

Together, these platforms affirm that knowledge thrives in both community and the academy.

The Hillman Collective offers comprehensive training programs designed to equip organizations and individuals with the knowledge and tools to create inclusive environments. Our workshops and seminars focus on topics such as unconscious bias, inclusive leadership, ethical compensation practices, and DEI strategies specific to the experiences of Black women. Tailored to meet the unique needs of each organization, our trainings foster understanding, collaboration, and actionable change. Participants leave with practical skills and strategies to implement equitable practices, champion diversity, and build supportive workplace cultures where Black women can excel.

The Hillman Collective is grounded in the power of data, storytelling, and scholarship to drive structural change. Our research work centers the voices, experiences, and expertise of Black women to illuminate systemic inequities and reimagine more just institutions. We conduct community-based research, publish thought leadership, and curate data-informed insights that influence policy, practice, and pedagogy. Through partnerships with academic institutions, think tanks, and grassroots organizations, we amplify underrepresented narratives and generate actionable knowledge. From publishing original reports to shaping public discourse, our research serves as both a mirror and a map—reflecting lived realities and guiding us toward transformation.

The Hillman Collective partners with human resources professionals and organizations to transform workplace cultures into equitable and inclusive environments where Black women can thrive. Our team collaborates with HR leaders to implement transparent compensation practices, equitable recruitment strategies, and programs that support the retention and advancement of Black women. We also provide tools and frameworks to address bias in performance evaluations, promotions, and leadership development processes. Through these efforts, we aim to embed equity into the core of human resource management, ensuring that Black women have access to the opportunities and resources needed to succeed.

The Hillman Collective recognizes the critical role of educational leadership in shaping the experiences of Black women in academia and beyond. We work with schools, universities, and educational organizations to cultivate environments that support the advancement of Black women as educators, administrators, and thought leaders. By fostering mentorship programs, developing leadership pipelines, and conducting research on systemic barriers in education, we empower Black women to rise as leaders in the field. Our initiatives focus on addressing inequities in hiring, promotion, and resource allocation, ensuring that Black women in education have the tools to inspire and lead with confidence.

At The Hillman Collective, we believe that economic liberation is essential to collective freedom. Our initiatives are designed to support Black women as builders, founders, and visionaries. We provide access to business development tools, strategic coaching, and culturally relevant financial education that centers the lived experiences of Black women navigating entrepreneurship. Through incubator programs, pitch preparation, cooperative economics training, and curated funding opportunities, we help Black women grow sustainable ventures that generate wealth and create impact. By investing in the entrepreneurial power of Black women, we’re not just building businesses—we’re building legacies, shifting systems, and redefining what ownership looks like.