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Jun 15, 2015
Black Women's Roundtable To Address Income Inequality, Health Justice and Retirement Security
BWR launches Multi-City Tour to empower Black women to achieve economic security, prosperity and healthy living
(Washington, DC) - As the national debate continues over income inequality and health justice, The Black Women’s Roundtable today announces the launch of phase II of its 2015 BWR Empowerment Project, by organizing the BWR Healthy, Wealthy, Wise National Empowerment Tour. (BWR Tour) The BWR Tour provides women in key states and nationally with tools and resources focused on economic empowerment, entrepreneurship, holistic health, civic engagement and leadership development.
Earlier this year, the BWR released its second annual report, Black Women in the U.S., 2015 (2015 BWR Report), which showed that Black women have had the hardest time recovering from the 2007 Great Recession. Although the nation's unemployment rate fell to 5.5 percent—the lowest in seven years—the jobless rate among Black women rose to 8.9 percent, the highest percentage among any female demographic within the country. Even those, with a college education were not immune.
The 2015 BWR Report also showed that a Black woman who earns a Bachelor's degree on average makes $49,882, nearly $10,000 less than a White man who holds an Associate's degree.
"The BWR Tour will build on our current work to address systemic, structural and cultural barriers faced by Black women in achieving economic security and prosperity," said Melanie Campbell, President & CEO, NCBCP and Convener, Black Women's Roundtable. “The BWR Project is focused on investing in Black women and girls to elevate their ability to live healthier, wealthier and wise lives," Campbell stated.
The BWR Tour is led by the NCBCP state affiliates, BWR state conveners and partners in Atlanta, GA; Birmingham, AL; Detroit & Kalamazoo, MI; Orlando, FL; Raleigh/Durham, NC; Pittsburgh, PA and Washington, D.C.
BWR Tour Schedule*
July 2
BWR North Carolina Health Justice Gathering Hosted by NC BWR and Spirit House Durham, NC
July 16
BWR Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Listening Session Hosted by Kalamazoo BWR & Mothers of Hope Kalamazoo, MI
July 18
BWR Healthy, Wealthy & Wise Regional Summit Hosted by GA BWR & The Peoples Agenda Atlanta/South Fulton, GA
July 21
BWR Healthy, Wealthy, Wise Listening Session Hosted by Clayton County BWR & The Peoples Agenda Atlanta/Clayton County, GA July 30 BWR Healthy, Wealthy, Wise Mini-Expo Hosted by Kalamazoo BWR & Mothers of Hope Kalamazoo, MI August 7 BWR Economic & Health Justice Summit Hosted by Alabama Coalition on Black Civic Participation & AL BWR Birmingham, AL
August 20
State of Black Women in Michigan Summit Hosted by Mothers of Hope and Detroit BWR Detroit, MI
August 22
BWR Healthy, Wealthy, Wise Regional Summit Hosted by Pittsburgh BWR & Sisters Saving Ourselves NOW Pittsburgh, PA
Sept. 16
7th Annual BWR Policy Forum Series Power of the Sister Vote in 2016 Hosted by BWR National Public Policy Network, CBCF and Essence Washington, DC
Sept. 19
BWR Healthy, Wealthy, Wise Regional Summit Hosted by Florida Coalition on Black Civic Participation & Orlando BWR Orlando, FL *dates subject to change
The BWR Empowerment Project senior advisor, Dr. Avis Jones-DeWeever, shared “the BWR Tour is also focused on amplifying the leadership and voices of women and girls on racial equity, health, economic and social justice issues impacting urban centers, small towns and rural communities."
The BWR Empowerment Project is supported by AARP, Essence, Ford Foundation and The Moriah Fund.
The Black Women's Roundtable (BWR) serves as the women and girls empowerment arm of The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation. BWR promotes health and wellness, economic security and prosperity, quality public education and global empowerment. BWR is at the forefront of championing just and equitable public policies on behalf of Black women and girls. BWR established its Intergenerational National Policy Network in 2008, which is comprised of a diverse group of Black women civic leaders representing international, national, regional and state-based organizations and institutions. For more information on the Black Women’s Roundtable go to www.ncbcp.org
