Why we exist

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If not now, then when? If not us, then who? With over 35 years of combined work experience in public health spanning both governmental and nonprofit organizations, we collectively decided that it was high time to combine our passion, knowledge, and vision to create an organization that addresses the gaps in equitable service provision and utilization among Black women and girls. 

As Black women ourselves, we are painfully aware of the disparities that exist in health and wellness, leadership, and overall perception of Black women globally. We have often sat at tables and listened to the disparities in health, and noted the absence of social justice in resource provision to Black women and girls. By coming together to develop this project, we intend to address the void in equitable and dignified service provision; thereby creating an open table built by, and for Black women. 

The need is vast, and the task at times seems gargantuan; however, we are committed to laying each brick to form the foundation and actualize our goal of Shaping Health Equity (SHE) for Black women and girls in Baltimore City and beyond. SHE stands firm in its mission to provide access to holistic health care for Black women and girls by eliminating barriers to health and wellbeing through advocacy, education and community building. Our vision is to create a space where Black women thrive in healthy bodies, minds and communities through the implementation of programs in the spirit of collaboration, community, accountability, innovation, and social justice.

Individually, we believe that “I am she, and she is me.” We are representatives of the population we seek to serve and as such, we intend to advocate for and deliver health care services through a lens of dignity and equity in collaboration with existing health care systems. Health and wellness education, health advocacy, community building, affirmation, and quality health care delivery are at the core of our proposed programming. We anticipate the day when health disparities are not only eliminated, but when health outcomes for Black women and girls are consistently projected to be no less than others.