Black History Month: Delta Sigma Theta Shines Spotlight on Disparities Between Missing Black and White Women
Left to Right: Dr. Michelle B. Taylor, Captain Vivian Coley, Prosecutor Jennifer Webb-McCrae and Tamika Chester Photo by Ashley Ward
Despite African Americans Being Reported Missing More Often, Those Cases Receive Little Attention, According to Documentary, National Statistics
BY ASHLEY WARD | For AC JosepH Media
BRIDGETON – The South Jersey alumnae chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority called for the search of missing Black girls and women to be treated with the same urgency as White women during a documentary presentation on Feb. 21.
The program, held at the Marino Center in Bridgeton under the theme “Shining the Light on Missing Black Girls,” reflected on a commitment to raising awareness about Black girls and women who go missing in the United States. According to the National Crime Information Center, as of 2024, there were 13,562 active cases of missing Black females.
In the first quarter of 2025, taken from the latest statistics available, 979 more Black females were added to that total of missing African American wome n in the country. While Blacks make up roughly 13% of the U.S. population, they comprise of 40% of missing people in the U.S.
Studies in 2016 and 2019 about media coverage, documented by the Race and Social Justice Review, found that White women were overrepresented in media reports involving missing persons while missing cases involving Black females received “significantly less coverage.”
“We have to work on getting back to our village family values and valuing our children and loving them enough to not subject them to this abuse, to not subject them and make them vulnerable to being trafficked, to foster care, to running away,” said Dr. Michelle B. Taylor, co-founder of the Black Girl Missing podcast, who was a panelist for the event.
The documentary featured two videos emphasizing the need for missing Black women and girls to receive the same urgency from law enforcement and media coverage as White women and girls.
The first video was a news segment from America in Black, reported by Jericka Duncan, that shared stories of families searching for loved ones while highlighting how bias and racism contribute to limited media coverage and slower responses.
It also referenced advocacy from the Black and Missing Foundation and federal legislation proposed by U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota to create a national office focused on this crisis.
In the second video, Minnesota House Rep. Ruth Richardson discussed with the media outlet Forbes about creating the nation’s first Office for Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls.
Together, the videos stressed the importance of better data collection, increased resources, fair media coverage, and coordinated efforts to bring justice and answers to affected families.
Captain Vivian Coley, another panelist, said after a tragic 2005 case, the Camden County Police Department strengthened its missing persons policies so that every report must be taken immediately, regardless of a person’s age, circumstances, or where they went missing.
Webb-McCrae and Tamika Chester Photo by Ashley Ward
Coley stressed that families should know their rights, advocate for themselves, and request supervisors, if necessary, as the law requires law enforcement to accept and act on all missing persons reports without delay.
Tamika Chester moderated the and shared a powerful personal story related to the topic.
Attendee Tanisha Gomez, candidate for Cumberland county commissioner, thanked the panelists for their insight, shared her thoughts and said, “representation matters.”
The event encouraged attendees to stay informed, advocate for equal treatment towards themselves and others, and work collectively to ensure that every missing Black woman and girl receives the urgency, media attention, and justice they deserves.
At the event Delta Sigma Theta’s Social Action Chair Tracey Overton urged attendees to register to vote so they can have a voice in their democracy.
Michelle Banks-Spearman, the documentary co-chair, welcomed attendees while Overton introduced the purpose of the event and set the tone for the discussion.
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