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California Black Women's Health Project
In 1994, The Well served as a community-based wellness center in Los Angeles that aimed to empower black women to achieve physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Established by the California Black Women's Health Project (CABWHP), The Well addressed health disparities experienced by black women through culturally appropriate health promotion initiatives. Despite constituting only 7% of California's female population at the time, black women faced disproportionately poorer health outcomes, including higher rates of mortality, chronic illnesses, and reproductive health issues.
The Well's history involved a planning retreat where Black women discussed health concerns and developed a vision for wellness. It offered various activities like self-help groups, exercise classes, workshops, and partnerships with health services organizations. The model emphasized empowerment, equity, community-based location, and collaboration, laying the groundwork for our community-defined evidence-based practice of using Sister Circles to gather, educate, and train Black women in the community. Today, these Sister Circles provide a safe space for Black women to share their experiences, access health education, and support one another on their health journeys.
Now, thirty years later, the disparities faced by the 1.2 million Black women in California are even more pervasive. The need for community-based health promotion initiatives that are culturally appropriate and empowering has never been greater.
In honor of 30 years of mind, body, soul, and community care, we are commemorating this milestone anniversary with "Sisters at The Well," a series of Sister Circles throughout the state that honors the legacy of The Well and celebrates the impact of Sister Circles in our community.