FAQ

Can I become a member?

Our free membership is for girls and young women (10-26y) who live in the Banglatown/Hamtramck neighborhood.

What do we do?

We offer a space for girls and young women in Hamtramck and the Banglatown neighborhood to participate and led our free after-school programming. 

Why was the organization founded?

Ali Lapetina, the founder of Women of Banglatown, was teaching after-school photography throughout Detroit. She connected to the Bangladeshi-American community through spending time in their gardens. When the girls of the community expressed interest in learning photography, Ali began offering neighborhood photography and art classes. Through friendships with families and their children, the organization grew from summer classes on a table in an alley to year-ground weekly programming.

Why are we called “Women of Banglatown”?

We chose this name because it reflects who we serve: the girls and young women who live in Banglatown, a neighborhood along the Detroit and Hamtramck border.

What year did Women of Banglatown become a non-profit? 

Women of Banglatown was founded in 2014 and became a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization in 2018.

What is our annual operating budget?

Women of Banglatown’s operating budget was $55,000 in 2021 -- our support comes solely from donors and grants.

How are photographs used at Women of Banglatown?

Since becoming a 501c3, we’ve improved our communication significantly and have protocols in place for photography and documentation. Consent is very important to Women of Banglatown. Some participants agree; however, nearly 30% of participants do not. If a participant is under the age of 18 years, Women of Banglatown works directly with their parents to ask for consent. In order to respect cultural boundaries, we work to understand where and when photographs are appropriate. Photographs are used for outreach and fundraising.