Information
NCNW programs are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns that are “NCNW Priorities.” These priorities are based on the core four – education, health equity, economic empowerment, and social justice. Our programs are centered on providing direct service to meet the needs of the people.
NCNW Core 4 Programs
Education
The High Cost of Tariffs: What’s at Stake for Black-Owned Businesses By Ja’Lia Taylor, Ph.D., NCNW director of policy, telecommunications and technology
August is recognized nationally as Black Business Month, a time dedicated to celebrating the achievements of Black entrepreneurs and promoting support for Black-owned enterprises. Traditionally, the month serves as an opportunity to highlight the resilience, innovation, and cultural contributions of these businesses. Yet in 2025, the observance arrives under difficult circumstances. Sweeping tariffs on imported goods, recently enacted by the Trump administration, are raising costs across the economy, from food and clothing to electronics and auto parts.
The High Cost of Tariffs: What’s at Stake for Black-Owned Businesses - NCNW
Inspiring growth and opportunity through access to education and lifelong learning.
Health Equity
For 85 years, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) has been committed to empower, inform and uplift women and children in communities of color. During the COVID 19 pandemic, we have strengthened our resolve to address the importance of how vaccines save lives.
The Good Health Women’s Immunization Networks (Good Health WINS) is our commitment to build an army of good health champions who understand the importance of immunizations across the lifespan. We want to educate, advocate and impact families and communities across the US to both end the pandemic, address health disparities, and shine the light on the importance of good health. Through our network of trusted messengers and grassroots activities, our goal is to increase vaccination rates, access and help remove barriers to access to vaccines and good health.
Economic Empowerment
RISE addresses historical and systemic challenges that have created persistent financial education disparities in the African American community. The NCNW RISE program:
- Acknowledges historical context and builds trust
- Creates safe spaces for learning and discussion
- Provides relevant, practical financial education
- Builds confidence in navigating financial institutions
- Supports sustainable wealth-building strategies.
Resources for Investment, Savings, and Economic Empowerment (RISE) - NCNW
Social Justice
The Bethune-Height Changemaker Pathways (BHCP) are an intentionally designed programmatic response to the systemic barriers and inequities that continue to stifle the maximized success of Black women nationwide. BHCP is named after the National Council of Negro Women’s (NCNW) visionary founder, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and longest serving president, Dr. Dorothy Irene Height. These two influential women embody what it means to be a true social justice changemaker as clearly exemplified by their rich legacy stemming from their lifelong commitment to advocacy, empowerment, movement leadership, service, and social action. NCNW rising changemakers are Black women and girls who are committed to walking in the footsteps of the heroines who came before them by first immersing themselves in BHCP programming to gain invaluable access and opportunity.
NCNW members are dedicated to direct service and direct action through our mission. An “organization of organizations”, we have a powerful network of nearly three million women who share a passion for commitment, unity, and self-reliance.
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Advocacy and Policy
NCNW is dedicated to fighting the systems that create the needs of the people. We do this through our social justice initiatives who seek to make sure our members are aware and able to be advocates that will be able to take action on behalf of Black women, their families and communities.