PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Twin brothers who were born to a union recently celebrated their first birthday after successful separation surgery.

Amari and Javar Ruffin, whose family lives in Philadelphia, were born by cesarean section on September 29, 2023. The brothers – who shared parts of their sternum, diaphragm, abdominal wall and liver – weighed a complete of 6 kilos.

On August 21, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia surgical team of greater than two dozen specialists, including surgeons, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurses and lots of others, operated for eight hours to separate the boys. Their abdomens were closed and rebuilt using layers of mesh and plastic surgery techniques.

On Tuesday, the boys returned home to spend time with their parents, Tim and Shaneka, and their siblings, Kaylum and Anora.

“Seeing them each in their own beds was an indescribable feeling,” Shaneka Ruffin said. “I feel like we’re starting a brand new journey as a family of six. We are so grateful to CHOP for helping make this present day possible and allowing us to start our next chapter.

The Ruffins learned the twins had been conjoined during a routine ultrasound at 12 weeks of pregnancy. Shaneka Ruffin said she was advised to terminate her pregnancy. They obtained a second opinion and the hospital told them that although the boys had a rare disease, they might be separated successfully.

Conjoined twins occur roughly once every 35,000–80,000 births. The hospital is one in every of the few within the US that has specialized knowledge in separating them.

October 11 is National Black Girls Day Off, and as I sit at my desk writing to you, I am unable to help but chuckle on the irony, because do Black women really have a day off? One of the cruel realities of falling into the trenches of womanhood – or maturity basically – is the conclusion that nothing ever ends. Someone will all the time need something. Something will all the time require your attention. And irrespective of what number of guides and podcasts you read, nothing can fully prepare you for how physically, mentally and emotionally demanding femininity may be.

So today I’m talking to your inner girl.

I’m talking to the a part of you that has managed to retain your childlike wonder. The quiet voice that dreams just like the sky is the limit. A version of you that couldn’t wait to turn out to be an “adult” so you may do whatever you wanted. Even though it’s possible you’ll not talk to her often, she still lives inside you and needs to exit and play.

If you are anything like me, today is not a day off. It’s one other day crammed with familiar demands: calls, emails, and expectations that appear to multiply by the minute. Black Girl Day Off is supposed to be a celebration, nevertheless it often feels more like one other item on our never-ending to-do list. The truth is that almost all women wear so many hats – caregiver, provider, friend, sister, mother, companion, community leader – that we sometimes forget to stop and acknowledge our own needs.

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But within the midst of this chaos, I urge you to stop and reflect on the deeper meaning of Black Girl Celebration. It’s not nearly walking away from our responsibilities; it’s about reconnecting with joy that usually gets overshadowed by drudgery. It’s about reconnecting with that elusive inner girl who dared to dream without the burden of the world on her shoulders – the one who jumped on the grass, laughed out loud and believed within the magic of possibility.

What dreams have you ever shelved within the name of responsibility? What joys have you place aside in an effort to fulfill your responsibilities? This day, designed to remind Black women to stop and recharge, is not nearly resting – it is about reclaiming our joy, our aspirations, and our uncompromising right to simply…

As Black women, we’ve an incredibly powerful legacy of resilience and strength. Our innate ability to “keep our heads up” on days once we feel like we’re drowning often makes us forget concerning the power of vulnerability. There’s nothing improper with admitting that we’re drained – bored with being basic, hard-working, trendsetting, and reliable. Tired of being disregarded. Today is an invite to resist drudgery and redefine what rest looks like for us. It’s not nearly physical rest; it is also about emotional and mental rejuvenation.

Take a moment to breathe. Imagine your inner girl – what does she want to do? Dance, paint, explore? Whether it’s a short dance break, a walk down memory lane with an old favorite movie, or simply sitting in silence and respiration, let her whisper to you, reminding you of the fantastic thing about possibility. Yes, the world will proceed to turn and demands will proceed to arise, but carve out that sacred space for yourself today. You deserve it. You deserve rest, joy and all of the dreams that await you.

OK, so possibly you may’t take time off, Black girl. But as I sit here at my desk, I catch the irony. I acknowledge the demands of today while also selecting to have fun the girl inside. I challenge you to do the identical. Today, find joy even within the midst of chaos. Because in that joy lies the strength to proceed to fight, to dream, and to be unapologetically a black woman in a world that usually refuses to stop.

As Issa Rae famously declared, “I root for all Black people.” These words resonate deeply, especially at a time when Black communities are leading powerful movements for justice, education and economic empowerment. Rooting for Black success takes greater than just words – it takes motion and ongoing support. Today, over 1,000 Black-led nonprofits advocate for social justice, education and cultural preservation. These organizations don’t just fill gaps – they drive systemic change and create pathways for progress. By supporting these nonprofits, we take part in a legacy of activism that strengthens Black communities and uplifts future generations.

Equal Justice Initiative
Founded by fearless advocate Bryan Stevenson, the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) is on a mission to fight for justice and dismantle oppressive systems that goal Black Americans. EJI is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment, two issues that disproportionately affect African Americans. The initiative also works to provide economic justice and opportunity for low-income families.

NAACP Legal Defense Fund
For many years, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF) has been the legal force behind historic victories for Black rights – from Brown v. Board of Education to difficult today’s voter suppression tactics. The LDF is a separate entity from the NAACP, formed specifically to provide legal support through the Civil Rights Movement. Today, he continues his work to protect the rights of black people, especially because it relates to voting. In 2021, LDF filed a lawsuit against the state of Georgia over racially discriminatory voter suppression laws.

Non-profit organizations specializing in education

Education opens doors. These nonprofit organizations work tirelessly to ensure Black students have access to opportunities that will strengthen their futures.

UNCF (United Negro College Fund)
“A mind is a terrible thing to waste” is the well-known slogan of the United Negro College Fund. This educational nonprofit organization supports students at HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) and provides scholarships and grants to 37 of those colleges and universities. HBCUs have long been underfunded and face financial challenges, and UNCF serves students at these schools by providing financial assistance and opportunities to put their knowledge into practice through internships and scholarships.

Thurgood Marshall College Fund
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, named after the primary African-American Supreme Court justice, supports 1000’s of scholars at HBCUs across the country. The fund focuses on providing scholarships and funding to Black students pursuing higher education. The Thurgood Marshall College Fund also works to discover and develop talent, ensuring African Americans are represented in entrepreneurship. The organization works with corporations searching for highly qualified HBCU graduates to join their workforce.

Nonprofit organizations focused on economic empowerment

Economic empowerment is important for progress. These nonprofit organizations provide skills, mentorship and resources that fuel financial success for the Black community.

The Black Girls Code
Black Girls Code flips the script in technology, giving young Black women the abilities, confidence, and representation they deserve in STEM fields that have long ignored them. Currently, only 2% of tech jobs are held by Black women, leaving a critical skills gap and lack of representation. Black Girls Code provides hands-on mentorship and workshops to help young women learn to code, partnering with schools and youth communities across America to provide educational programs for Black girls.

National Urban League
Since 1910, the National Urban League has supported the civil rights and economic opportunities of African Americans. The organization’s expansive efforts have proven to be a lifesaver, addressing the whole lot from job training to removing racial barriers in housing and health care. Its primary goal is to reduce economic inequality and promote entrepreneurship and small business development amongst Black people. In 2018, the National Urban League launched a podcast discussing policy issues affecting African Americans.

(*10*)Non-profit health and wellness organizations

Black health matters. These nonprofit organizations concentrate on closing health disparities, promoting wellness and providing essential resources to those in need.

Black women’s health imperative
From higher maternal mortality rates to increased risks of heart problems and cancer, Black women face poorer health outcomes across the board. The Black Women’s Health Imperative is rewriting the narrative about Black women’s health, fighting systemic neglect through advocacy, education and uncompromising support for well-being. The organization has several signature programs focused on improving the reproductive health of Black women and treating rare diseases.

Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects black people, and research into the disease has been underfunded for years. The goal of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America is to educate the general public about sickle cell disease and support those affected by the disease. The organization also hosts events that bring the community together through support and awareness while conducting groundbreaking clinical research.

Non-profit organizations dedicated to arts and culture

Black creativity shapes the world. These nonprofit organizations have fun and preserve Black culture, ensuring its wealthy legacy continues to encourage and thrive.

National Festival of Black Art
Black people have all the time expressed their culture through art, and organizations just like the National Black Arts Festival ensure that Black contributions to the humanities are not only highlighted, but celebrated. The Georgia-based nonprofit organization hosts programs and events across the country to have fun Black creators who are making cultural waves by introducing the following generation of artists, dancers, filmmakers and designers to the world.

African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund
Founded in 2017, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund stands between historic Black cultural sites and efforts to destroy them. Created by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the organization advocates for the protection and preservation of websites essential to African Americans and the African diaspora. The fund has been influential within the preservation and restoration of websites similar to the Harriet Tubman House, the house of blues musician Muddy Waters, and various historic churches and theaters.

How you can support

The best way to support Black-led nonprofits is by educating yourself and donating your money and time. Supporting the nonprofit organizations that have supported so a lot of us and our ancestors has never been easier or more essential.

Links to donate: