The California Black Women's Health Project ("CABWHP") is an affiliate of the Black Women's Health Imperative (formerly the National Black Women's Health Project) based in Washington, D.C. We were established in 1994 to empower Black women to take personal responsibility for their own health and to advocate for changes in policies that adversely affect the health status of Black women.

Early Years

• Following a National Black Women's Health Project (NBWHP) annual conference in 1992, a group of engergized Los Angeles-based women formed a Southern California Chapter led by Frances Jemmott.
• Within a few short years "The Well" was formed; a women's self help resource center offering a blend of health resources and wellness activities on the first floor of a low income housing complex in South Central, Los Angeles. More than 6,000 women benefitted from the Well. 

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Developmental Years

• In 1996, our policy office opened in Sacramento led by Holly Mitchell (current Senator of California's 30th District), and in 2000, moved to Inglewood, California.
• In 2000, we conducted a statewide study asking "what is important to Black women in California?"-- the first assessment of its kind. More than 1,400 women respond to surveys, and 9 focus groups were held in Sacramento, Bay Area, Riverside, Los Angeles and San Diego. Produced video documentary "Unheard Voices".​

Unheard Voices:
California Black Women's Health Project (2001)

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To date, CABWHP has proudly:

• hosted over a dozen annual policy conferences in Sacramento
• graduated over 250 women as part of the Advocate Training Program 
• convened a series of 15 townhall meetings
• served on, and currently serves on several boards, commissions, and coalitions to raise the voices of Black women.