The California Black Women’s Health Project is a left-of-center advocacy organization based in Inglewood, California that operates campaigns promoting left-of-center health care policies and racial issues. The organization advances its positions through advocacy, education, policy, and outreach. The group’s Black Women’s Health Initiative addresses issues and practices related to abortion, domestic and family violence prevention, maternal and infant health, aging, and mental health. ¹

Background

The California Black Women’s Health Project is an affiliate of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (formerly the National Black Women’s Health Project) that was based in Washington, D.C. The organization was established in 1994 to advocate for changes to policies that the group argued adversely affect the health status of Black women. The organization grew out of the National Black Women’s Health Project (NBWHP) annual conference in 1992, ultimately forming a southern California chapter led by Frances Jemmott.  In 1996, the organization opened a policy office in Sacramento led by Holly Mitchell, who would later chair the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. In 2000, the group moved to Inglewood, California. ²

California Black Women’s Health Project hosts policy conferences in Sacramento, hosts town-hall meetings and health and wellness workshops, and runs an advocate training program to encourage Black women to advocate for health care for their families. ³

Policy and Advocacy

As of 2023, California Black Women’s Health Project had a featured section of its website dedicated to COVID-19. The organization claimed that Black women and girls have been “disproportionately affected on all levels – physically, mentally, and emotionally” by COVID-19. The organization also claims that Black women are at a higher risk for serious illness due to underlying conditions and more likely to work and/or live in conditions that make it difficult for them to stay safe. The organization advocates for wearing a mask to “be an example of empathy, compassion, and wellness for our community.” ⁴

On a page addressing “Maternal & Reproductive Health,” the California Black Women’s Health Project claims that there is “institutional and structural racism” that impacts the “maternal well-being of Black women, babies and families.” ⁵

An article in California Healthline claims that the California Black Women’s Health Project also has a program where it hires “health ambassadors” to help Black patients navigate the health care system. ⁶

People

As of 2023, the executive director of California Black Women’s Health Project was Sonya Young Aadam. In the past, she was the strategy and community relations officer at BTL Health, Inc. and previously worked in sales at the Walt Disney Corporation. ⁷

Carlene Davis was the director of strategy and evaluation for the organization. She also leads a group called Sistahs Aging With Grace and Elegance and has worked for the Los Angeles Urban League and the Los Angeles Commission for Children, Youth and Their Families. ⁸

1. “Our Values.” California Black Women’s Health Project. https://www.cabwhp.org/our-values.html
2. “Our Legacy.” California Black Women’s Health Project. https://www.cabwhp.org/our-legacy.html
3. “Our Legacy.” California Black Women’s Health Project. https://www.cabwhp.org/our-legacy.html
4. “COVID-19.” California Black Women’s Health Project. https://www.cabwhp.org/covid-19.html
5. “Maternal & Reproductive Health.” California Black Women’s Health Project. https://www.cabwhp.org/maternal–reproductive-health.html
6. Sciacca, Annie. “Black Patients Dress Up and Modify Speech to Reduce Bias, California Survey Shows.” California Healthline. March 9, 2023. https://californiahealthline.org/news/article/black-patients-medical-bias-california-research/
7. “Sonya Young A.” LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/sonyayoungaadam/
8. “Carlene A. Davis.” LinkedIn. https://www.linkedin.com/in/carleneangeladavis/