Who We Are Black Women's Health Imperative, the new name of the National Black Women's Health Project, is a leading African American health education, research, advocacy and leadership development institution. Founded in 1983 by health activist Byllye Y. Avery, it has been a pioneer in promoting the empowerment of African American women as educated health care consumers and a strong voice for the improved health status of African American women. The organization is gaining the well-earned reputation as the leading force for health for African American women. Black Women's Health Imperative possesses national stature as the only national organization devoted solely to the health of the nation's 19 million Black women and girls.
Toward these ends, our programs have the following aims that literally provide "C.A.R.E.":
Community Outreach: We strive to have the largest reach on Black women's health concerns within Black communities in the United States and throughout the African Diaspora. Advocacy: We strive to be the largest, most powerful and influential national advocacy network of Black women advocates for health rights. Resources and Research: We strive to be widely recognized and highly regarded as a credible information source by Black women who are healthcare consumers and caregivers, health care practitioners, policy makers, women's organizations, health industries and the media. We strive to promote important, leading-edge research to increase the body of knowledge on the health of Black women. Education: We strive to be the standard bearer for consumer and professional education regarding Black women's health.