In order to highlight pockets of excellence across the country, the NNED selects a partner organization to highlight once a month. California Black Women’s Health Project has been selected as the Partner of the Month for February in honor of African American Heritage Month.
California Black Women’s Health Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. They were established in 1994 as an affiliate of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (formerly National Black Women’s Health Project) based in Washington D.C. They seek to empower women to become active participants in improving their health status.
California Black Women’s Health Project is committed to advocating for policies and practices that promote and improve physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being of Black women and girls in California. They believe a healthier future is possible when women are empowered to make choices in an environment where equal access and health justice are community priorities.
The programs and services of the California Black Women’s Health Project are grounded in the lived experiences of Black women and shaped in response to the social, historical, and systemic factors that negatively impact those lived experiences. They are committed to projects that strengthen Black women’s mental and emotional self-healing, which ultimately extends to their families and communities.
Some of the programs and services that are currently offered:
- The Advocate Training Program (ATP) is California Black Women’s Health Project’s acclaimed program designed to train women from the grassroots community to become effective health policy activists and advocates. The issues addressed range from general empowerment to specific health concerns, such as mental and emotional wellness.
- The Emerging Healthcare Leaders Advocate Training Program (EHL-ATP) provides leadership development, cultural competency and advocacy training for young Black women who are interested in and/or pursuing a health profession.
- Champions for Change is a program to grow and sustain a pool of motivated, trained and available Black women as volunteers and regional representatives to educate our community about the importance of healthy eating and daily physical activity.
- Sisters Mentally Mobilized (SMM), a project of the California Black Women’s Health Project, is a statewide movement that trains Black women to become mental health community advocates and launch mental health-focused Sister Circles in the communities where Black women live, work, play, and pray. Too many black sisters are suffering in silence. Sisters Mentally Mobilized aims to reduce mental health stigma, anxiety, and isolation among Black women and create space for them to tend to minds, hearts, and souls.
Learn more about California Black Women’s Health Project and their mission for improvement in policies and practices that promote and improve physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being of Black women and girls in California.
View a list of previous NNED Partners of the Month.