National Coalition of 100 Black Women

National Coalition of 100 Black Women
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Name	National Coalition of 100 Black Women
Founded	1970s
Founder	Shirley Chisholm; Dorothy Height
Headquarters	New York City
Type	Nonprofit; advocacy; civic organization
Mission	Empowerment of Black women and girls

National Coalition of 100 Black Women is an American advocacy organization focused on the leadership development, policy advocacy, and support of Black women and girls across the United States. Founded in the late 20th century amid civil rights and feminist movements, it has intersected with a range of political, cultural, and educational institutions. The organization interacts with lawmakers, civic leaders, and cultural figures to advance initiatives in health, education, and economic empowerment.

History

The organization traces roots to activists and public figures such as Shirley Chisholm, Dorothy Height, Coretta Scott King, Fannie Lou Hamer, and Ella Baker who engaged with movements including the Civil Rights Movement, the Women's Liberation Movement, and organizations like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, National Urban League, and NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. During the 1970s and 1980s the coalition engaged with municipal leaders in New York City, elected officials such as Adam Clayton Powell Jr. and Bella Abzug, and cultural institutions including the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture and the Apollo Theater to expand visibility. Chapters coordinated with universities like Howard University, Spelman College, and Tuskegee University and collaborated on initiatives tied to legislation such as the Title IX framework and health policy debates that involved figures like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. allies and public health officials. Over subsequent decades the group interfaced with presidents from Jimmy Carter to Barack Obama through community forums, civil rights commemorations, and policy roundtables.

Mission and Activities

The stated mission emphasizes leadership development, public policy advocacy, and community service in areas including child welfare, health equity, and economic empowerment. Activities have connected the coalition to boardrooms and policy arenas involving entities like the U.S. Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and philanthropic partners such as the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation. Public-facing programs link to media and cultural organizations like The New York Times, NPR, BET, and museums such as the National Museum of African American History and Culture to promote public education and civic engagement.

Organizational Structure

The group comprises autonomous local chapters organized under a national governing body, with leadership roles comparable to nonprofit governance practices found in organizations like the YWCA, NAACP, and League of Women Voters. Elected presidents and boards coordinate with legal counsel, finance committees, and program directors; advisory relationships often include university scholars from institutions such as Columbia University, Morehouse College, and Johns Hopkins University. The structure enables coalitions with local government offices including City Hall (New York City), county commissions, and state legislatures to execute campaigns and host forums with elected officials such as Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams.

Programs and Initiatives

Programmatic work spans scholarship programs, mentoring initiatives, health awareness campaigns, and economic development projects. Scholarship efforts have paralleled programs from United Negro College Fund and college-access efforts associated with Howard University, Spelman College, and Berea College. Health initiatives have addressed disparities highlighted by reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and partnerships with hospitals like Mount Sinai Hospital and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Leadership development and mentoring mirror models used by organizations including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and advocacy training seen at institutions like the Brookings Institution and the American Civil Liberties Union.

Advocacy and Public Policy

Advocacy priorities include maternal health, voting rights, criminal justice reform, and economic opportunity. The coalition has participated in campaigns aligned with legislative efforts such as the Voting Rights Act of 1965 reauthorization debates, policy discussions involving the Affordable Care Act, and criminal justice dialogues linked to campaigns by figures like Michelle Alexander and organizations such as Color of Change and Campaign Zero. The organization convenes briefings with members of the U.S. Senate, the U.S. House of Representatives, state governors, and municipal mayors to push for policy reforms and to support candidates and legislation reflecting its agenda.

Notable Chapters and Membership

Chapters in metropolitan areas including New York City, Atlanta, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, Detroit, Houston, and New Orleans have cultivated local leaders who have collaborated with elected officials like Nancy Pelosi, Cory Booker, and Maxine Waters. Membership has included civic leaders, educators, physicians, attorneys, and media professionals with ties to institutions such as Morehouse School of Medicine, Howard University School of Law, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, and cultural figures associated with BET Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.

Awards and Recognition

The organization has conferred awards and honors recognizing leadership, civic contribution, and professional achievement, paralleling accolades given by institutions like the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the MacArthur Fellowship, and honorary degrees from universities including Harvard University and Princeton University. Recipients have included public figures, scholars, and community activists who have also been recognized by bodies such as the National Urban League and the National Black Chamber of Commerce.

Category:Civil rights organizations in the United States Category:Women's organizations based in the United States