At 77 years old, Mary Dean is not slowing down. A long-standing community advocate and president of the nonprofit Kansas Justice Advocate Inc., Dean is organizing a powerful national event.
Her Black Women’s Equity March is set to take place on Sat., Sept. 27, in Washington, D.C.
Her mission with the march is clear – to amplify the voices of Black women across the country and demand long-overdue justice and recognition.
“We’re the most disrespected and least protected women in this country,” Dean says, her voice calm but resolute. “Yet we’re also the most educated. It’s time that Black women are heard, seen, and honored for their contributions.”
Why the March?
The march grew out of ongoing conversations among Black women across the country — conversations filled with frustration about inequities in health care, housing, education, and environmental justice. From maternal mortality to contaminated water in Black neighborhoods, from school discipline disparities to workplace discrimination, Dean and her organizing committee say enough is enough.
“We’ve been meeting, talking, and pushing for change. But talk isn’t enough. We decided in 2024 that we were tired of waiting. 2025 is our year to show up,” she said.
Dean emphasized that the goal isn’t just local — it’s national.
“We wanted this to be in D.C. because that’s where laws are made. This march is about getting national attention on Black women’s issues from coast to coast,” she said.
Though based in Wichita, the Black Women’s Equity March is a national effort. Dean and her team are working with advocates from Detroit, Texas, Kansas City, and beyond to mobilize voices across the U.S. Monthly planning meetings and a growing network of professionals, faith leaders, and grassroots organizers are fueling what she hopes will become a landmark moment for equity and justice.
What to Expect
The march will begin at 9 a.m. outside the Holiday Inn National Mall, 550 C St. SW, Washington D.C. Participants will march across the street to the National Mall, where a rally will begin at 10 a.m. The event will feature speeches, music, and a call to action encouraging attendees to take the momentum back to their local communities.
Dean is currently working to attract more national speakers and sponsors to increase the event’s visibility. The lineup of confirmed speakers and participants includes:
Kim Smith, Missouri State Representative
Danian Taylor, Motivational Speaker and National Bestselling Author
Carolyn Morgan, Minister and Advocate for Prison Reform
Pastor Pamela Mason, St. Paul AME Church, Wichita
Carol Brewer, Wichita Advocate
Dr. Evelyn Hill, Kansas City Leader
Janae Reliford, Kansas City Reparations Commission
Nia Renee, national vocalist and rising artist, will perform live.
Additional speakers and entertainers are expected to be announced in the coming months. Organizers are also inviting mayors and leaders from major U.S. cities to stand in solidarity with the mission of the march.
Who Is This March For?
While the focus is on Black women, all allies — including men — are welcome and encouraged to attend.
“We want our brothers to show up too. Black men have always been the backbone of our support,” Dean said. “This is about unity, visibility, and truth.”
Vision, Planning & Transportation
With a vision of attracting hundreds, if not thousands, to the march, Dean is working on plans for transportation from Wichita to D.C. to make sure Wichita is adequately represented there. Tentative plans call for departure on Sept. 26 and return on Sept. 28.
Additional cities may coordinate group travel as well.
“Transportation logistics are underway,” she shared. “We’ll be announcing more details this summer.”
This level of coordination reflects Dean’s organizing skill and her deep roots in advocacy. The planning committee meets every second Friday of the month to update logistics, outreach, and strategy.
How to Get Involved
There are multiple ways to support or participate in the movement:
1. Attend the March – Show up in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 27 and add your voice to the cause.
2. Donate or Sponsor – Contributions can be made via Zelle to TiraBolder1@gmail.com or by mailing checks to:
Kansas Justice Advocate Inc., 3327 E. Bel Air Ct., Wichita, KS 67218
For more info, supporters may also call Dean directly at 316-371-2253.
3. Join the Planning Committee – Community members, organizers, and supporters are invited to take part in monthly planning meetings that take place on the second Friday of each month, and to join in other ways to help shape this historic effort.
A Legacy of Advocacy
For Mary Dean, this march is not a one-time event — it’s part of a lifetime of advocacy. Whether she’s addressing mental health disparities, housing discrimination, or civil rights issues, her goal remains the same: educate, empower, and equip people to rise above the barriers they face.
Dean is also the author of Black Legends of Kansas (2015), a book that profiles more than 100 influential Black women in the state — trailblazers whose stories laid the groundwork for today’s movement.
“Justice delayed is justice denied,” she says. “And we’re not waiting another 400 years.”
