The California Black Health Network (CBHN) was founded in 1978 and established as a 501(c)(3) in 1983. CBHN is the only Black-led, statewide organization dedicated to advocating for health equity for all Black (African Americans and Black Immigrants) Californians. CBHN's mission is to ensure that all Black Californians, regardless of their education, socioeconomic class, zip code, sexual orientation, gender identity, homelessness, or immigration status, have access to high-quality and equitable primary and behavioral healthcare, and avoid unnecessarily succumbing to disease.
The CBHN board and staff are reflective of the community it serves in terms of race/ethnicity. CBHN is governed by a fourteen (14) member volunteer Board of Directors and currently has six (6) full-time and two (1) part-time staff, and six (6) volunteer college-level student interns. CBHN conducts outreach, engagement, and advocacy and promotes racial justice, social justice, and environmental justice to achieve health equity for Black Californians. From conception to end of life, CBHN's work spans the entire health equity life cycle. During 2020, CBHN programs addressed evidence-based health inequities Black Californians experienced and a network across the state of 3,000.
CBHN's Core Values include:
- Leadership and Accountability:
We practice financial fitness ensuring stability, consistency, and sustainability.
- Inter-generational Support and Activism:
We are contemporary in our approach to issues, ensuring our work is current, innovative when necessary, and steeped in community-based need.
- Coalition Building and Collaboration:
We say what we do and we do what we say with a steadfast adherence to principles.
- Racial Integrity and Pride:
We embrace strategic alliances, align and integrate our work with others with shared vision and values.
- Inclusive:
We incorporate diverse perspectives into our work. We consider our social responsibility and we make informed decisions that are impactful.