The only organization devoted solely to advancing health and well-being of the nation’s 19.5 million Black women and girls through advocacy, education and leadership development.

1726 M Street, NW Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 548-4000 Fax: (202) 543-9743 EIN/Tax ID: 58-1557556 www.BlackWomensHealth.org

Detailed Description of Black Women's Health Imperative

Who We Are
The Black Women’s Health Imperative (Imperative) is the only non-profit organization devoted solely to advancing the health and wellness of America’s 19.5 million Black women and girls through advocacy, education and leadership development. Founded as the National Black Women’s Health Project in 1983 by health activist and McArthur “genius” Byllye Y. Avery, the Imperative promotes optimal health for Black women across their lifespan – physically, mentally and spiritually.

For the Imperative, health is not merely the absence of illness but the active promotion of physical, spiritual, mental and emotional wellness. Since the Imperative’s beginning in Atlanta, Georgia, when it led the fight for a broader and more responsible reproductive health and rights agenda for women of color, it has become the leading force for the elimination of racial and gender-related health disparities for Black women.

What We Do
The Imperative seeks to improve the health and wellness of Black women by providing health resources and information and community health and wellness education; promoting advocacy and health policies; and interpreting and issuing reports on relevant research about the health status of America’s Black women. It provides its members with culturally appropriate tools and information to be informed, empowered health care consumers.

It is the aim of the Imperative to harness the collective power of Black women by bringing together individual women and affiliated women’s organizations together around a common health agenda. Utilizing its structure of affiliated organizations and members, the Imperative is well position to create new ways of working together to help establish a national agenda on health disparities for Black women. The Imperative’s goal is to create awareness among its key constituencies, work collaboratively in communities and build the capacity of Black women to advocate for and secure the preventive care and treatment they need.

What We Offer
The Imperative is committed to providing Black women with a wide range of health-related information, tools and resources as part of our ongoing efforts to support women in becoming informed health care consumers.

Web Site – www.BlackWomensHealth.ORG
•    Ask the Expert
•    Physician Locator Service
•    Public Awareness Surveys and Polls
•    Interactive Health Assessment Tools
•    E-newsletters and Healthy Living Resources
•    Fitness Demonstrations and Meal Plans

Community
•    Public Education Campaigns and Forums
•    Health Education Programs
•    Training and Technical Assistance
•    Self-Help SisterCircels™
•    Walking for Wellness™

Membership
•    Benefits that Improve Health and Wellness
•    Growing Network of 100,000 Supporters Dedicated to the Improving    Health and Wellness of Black Women
•    Inclusion in Advocacy and Health Policy Projects
•    Access to Member-Only Sections of the Web site, www.BlackWomensHealth.ORG
•    Discounts of Imperative-sponsored Events
•    Special Conversations with Byllye Y. Avery, founder of the Imperative
•    Member-only Publications