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
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. 2
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.” 3
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.” 4
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. 5
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. 6
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. 7
To support an organization working to improve the health status of California's Black women and girls through organizing, policy advocacy, education and outreach.
The goal of this project is to expand our Black Maternal Health Ambassador Program and staff capacity to strengthen partnerships with local agencies and organizations that provide support and/or address the social needs of birthing people and their families. Strengthening these partnerships will enable us to better address the impact of discriminatory systems on the experiences of Black birthing people.
To support a planning process to develop a Black health and wealth fund that addresses historical health and wealth inequities impacting low-income Black communities in California.
FOR PROJECT SUPPORT TO TAKE OWNERSHIP AND RELAUNCH THE UPSPOKEN AND ROYALTEA PUBLIC AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS FOCUSED ON BLACK WOMEN AND THEIR SEXUAL HEALTH.
COMMUNITY ORGANIZING – CBWHP; ANTELOPE VALLEY – "HONORING, CELEBRATING & ELEVATING MIDWIFERY IN PUBLIC HEALTH"
$112,800
2024
CCF Community Initiatives Fund
HEALTH AND EDUCATION
$101,550
2023
CCF Community Initiatives Fund
HEALTH
$100,000
2022
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
To equip our community partners and young healthcare leaders with the knowledge and tools to get ahead of any expressions of anxiety, grief, and loss, and the effects of missed or limited health screenings experienced by our community due to the impact and restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic. We aim to do this by implementing capacity building training that will address equity gaps, and access and resources barriers in healthcare by strengthening the pipeline of young Black women health professionals and of our CBO/auxiliary partners who interact directly with our community to reduce health disparities, increase access, and improve overall health and wellness for Black Angelenos.
$90,000
2026
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Deepen its sustainability by investing in the workforce development of its Maternal and Reproductive Health Initiative staff, thereby reducing reliance on external facilitators and consultants.
$90,000
2025
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Our goal is to use funding to strengthen the Maternal and Reproductive Health team and initiative development by providing targeted training, strategic planning sessions, and engaging expert consultants. This investment will enhance our organization's capacity to deliver impactful, sustainable programs centered around the growing and changing Black Birth Equity Movement.
