Company Profile
California Black Health Network
Company Overview
CBHN was established in 1978 to improve the health status of people of African descent in California and to eliminate health disparities through legislation, administrative and media advocacy. CBHN has successfully advocated for programs, regulations and the adoption of public policies that increase access to affordable, quality health care, reduce health disparities, and promote overall healthy communities and lifestyles among California's African American population. Its chief role is to serve as a resource and collaborator for stakeholders, State decision makers and those who provide direct services.
With a vision for healthy families in healthy communities throughout California, CBHN is focused on implementing strategies to enhance its capability for outreach, education, empowerment and engagement with California’s African American community. African Americans represent nearly 2.4 million individuals or 6.3% of California’s residents. Yet, relative to their health, African Americans are more likely to be misdiagnosed, undiagnosed or under diagnosed more often than any other ethnic group in California, and are more likely to drop out of care or use fewer treatment options for health issues, regarding pre and postnatal care. It is the goal of California Black Health Network to be a catalyst for changing those outcomes for the better.
Company History
In 2007, the Board of Directors began to take a deep, strategic look at the work of the organization, its purpose, its relevance, and its future. After many hours of meetings and assessment, the decision was to repurpose the organization, reconstitute its Board, and establish only one office, in Sacramento. The purpose of the organization was to be policy and advocacy work. Any programmatic endeavors would be wrapped around that focus. It was also decided there would be no chapters, nor would CBHN be a membership organization. CBHN became an organization that develops collaborations and partnerships and focuses its work on supporting African American health organizations that cannot afford to have a policy director or a presence in Sacramento.
Between 2007 - 2009, the board honed its efforts on reorganization with minimum expense and little statewide activity. In 2010, a statewide search for an executive director began. After interviewing a plethora of candidates, the new Executive Director was hired in October of 2010. The organization has since followed a strategic process of rebuilding, reestablishing relationships with community-based organizations, with legislative staff and members, and with funders. CBHN has reestablished a significant and influential presence in the state and has become known as "the voice" on issues of African American health and well-being.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
2012 Advocates of the Year Award - Awarded by the California Legislative Black Caucus
2012 Community Service Award presented by the Sacramento Black Chamber of Commerce