Game Day, Our Way: Black Girls Love Football Brings Culture to the Field

Expect something a little different for tonight’s home game of the Eagles vs the Cowboys. Yes, there will be the predictable “Go Birds” as greetings and cheers. Yes, there will be stadium rattling boos for that team from Dallas. But before the game even starts, there will be a community gathering like many in the city haven’t experienced before.

While football has always been tradition, excitement, and culture woven together under stadium lights, for too long, many women, especially Black women, have been left on the sidelines of the fan conversation. That’s what Black Girls Love Football (BGLF) hopes to change.

Founded by Jewel Bozant, Tanya Hayles, Kalin Tate, and Meca Lyttle, Black Girls Love Football is a sisterhood that blends game-day energy with culture, connection, and representation. With the already sold out last stop of their summer tour here the City of Brotherly Love before one of our most anticipated games, BGLF hopes to show exactly what makes their movement different.

I sat down with one of the community’s founders, Jewel Bozant, to talk about sisterhood, fan culture, and the future of BGLF.

Benzii Diaz (BD): "What makes Black Girls Love Football different from other fan groups?"

Jewel Bozant (JB): “What makes us different is that we mix the love of the game with culture, sisterhood, and experiences that really feel like us. It’s lifestyle-driven. We bring that energy that combines game-day excitement with community and representation. We’ve built a real sisterhood. We have a GroupMe chat, we’re active on Threads, we do Zoom calls, and we even have things like our Galentine’s Day gift exchange. It’s a safe, fun space with no mansplaining, no name-calling. Just genuine connection with women who love the game as much as you do.”

BD: "How has the response been from women and girls since starting the organization?"

JB: “The response has been amazing! So many women tell us they finally feel like they have a space where they belong in the football conversation. Whether it’s on social media or at our events, the excitement and engagement have shown just how much this was needed. We’ve had women join who never thought they’d be welcomed into football spaces. Now they’re not only showing up, but they’re thriving. Bringing their friends, sharing their knowledge, and having fun without judgment. That’s the beauty of this community.”

BD: "Why host a tailgate in Philadelphia on September 4th?"

JB: “Philly has one of the most passionate football cultures in the country. There’s an energy here. You feel it in the stadium, in the neighborhoods, everywhere. We wanted to bring our movement into that space and show what happens when Black women show up together for the game. This tailgate is the last stop on our summer tour, so it feels like a celebration. We’ll have music, games, food, and of course, football! It’s about the full experience. More than anything, we want women to walk away saying, “Wow, this is my tribe.”

BD: "What do you hope attendees walk away with after the tailgate?"

JB: “Connection. Joy. Belonging. Yes, it’s about the game, but it’s also about creating an experience where women feel celebrated for showing up as they are. When you leave, we want you to feel like you’ve joined something bigger than a one-day event. We hope you’ll carry that energy into every football space you enter.”

BD: "What has been your most powerful moment with Black Girls Love Football so far?"

JB: “Honestly, it’s the little moments. Seeing women meet for the first time in real life after months of chatting online. Watching someone who was nervous to come alone leave with five new friends. Or hearing a young girl say, “I didn’t know there were other girls like me who loved football.”

BD: "Looking ahead, how do you see Black Girls Love Football growing in the future?"

JB: “Oh, we’re just getting started! I see us expanding into more cities, hosting bigger tailgate tours, and partnering with major brands to elevate this experience. We also want to be part of the growth of girls’ flag football because representation starts at the youth level. Long-term, we’d love to have our own signature events and even create media platforms that amplify Black women’s voices in the football space worldwide. This is about building legacy. We want to make sure the next generation of fans, athletes, and leaders see themselves reflected in every part of football culture.”

BD: "What do you say to women who are curious but hesitant to join?"

JB: “Just come. Bring your love for the game or even just your curiosity and the rest will follow. There’s no test, no judgment. Whether you can name every player on the field or you’re just here for the vibes, you belong. At the end of the day, football is about community. And our community is waiting to welcome you in.”

On September 4th at Lincoln Financial Field, Black Girls Love Football is redefining what it means to be a fan. With their community organizers at the helm, the movement is proving that when Black women create their own space, it becomes family, culture, and a celebration of belonging. As the music plays, the grills heat up, and laughter fills the air, one thing is certain: this is only the beginning.