Black
Women
Lead
Black Women Organized for Political Action’s (BWOPA) mission is to activate, motivate, promote, support, and educate African-American women about the political process, encourage involvement, and to affirm our commitment to, and solving of, those problems affecting the African-American community.
Core Issues
Health
African-Americans continue to face elevated rates of chronic illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, HIV/AIDS, and cancer. Additionally, disparities persist in mental health, with higher instances of depression and substance abuse. Access to quality healthcare remains a challenge due to financial barriers and insufficient insurance coverage.
Education
Completion rates for high school and college among African-Americans still lag behind the general population. The concentration of African Americans in urban schools exacerbates the issue, as these educational institutions often suffer from inadequate resources.
Criminal Justice Reform
Disparities in incarceration rates persist, with African American youth and adults being more likely to be incarcerated compared to their white counterparts. Ongoing efforts in criminal justice reform are essential to address systemic issues and promote equality.
Economic Security/Jobs
The African American community continues to grapple with higher rates of poverty and unemployment compared to the general population. Entrepreneurship remains a challenge, as African Americans are less likely to own businesses, and there's limited access to job training programs. Initiatives focusing on economic empowerment and equal opportunities are crucial for addressing these disparities.
Statewide Initiatives
8th Cohort of the DWJ Fellowship Program
The BWOPA/TILE California's Dezie Woods Jones (DWJ) Public Policy Fellowship 2025 program applications will open February 2025!
Stay tuned for upcoming scheduled info sessions to get more insight on the program & qualifications or email [email protected].
Continue readingCalifornia Equity in Mental Health Survey: A Statewide Poll of Black Women & Latinas
Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE)® have released a historic statewide poll and report on the current state of mental health for Black and Latina women in California. The report and data aim to uplift challenges Black and Latina women face in accessing mental health care and their priorities for approaches to create greater equity in the provision of mental health care.
Continue readingBlack & Vaxxed
BWOPA has partnered with WEVAX and the state of California Department of Public Health to launch BLACK+VAXXED – a public awareness campaign designed to give the Black community the facts and insight necessary to make an informed decision about the vaccine.
Continue readingGet the Newsletter
We are excited you are interested in learning more about the BWOPA Nation!