International Affairs
PROGRAM FOCUS
The National First Vice President is responsible for presenting to the Convention a national program to carry out the purposes and objectives of the Association for adult and young adult clubs.
The National program focus is Health, Education, Employment, and Economic Development [HEED]. Clubs identify local needs and implement projects to address the issues in their communities.
The National Second Vice President is responsible for establishing and overseeing the Youth Division: Youth and Mr. B & P [ages 12-18] and Beta Psi [college students]. The Youth Division has its own program focus.
A Community Forum precedes the official opening of the National Convention. Open to the public, information relevant to the community at large is discussed. National Convention activities include workshops, opportunities for clubs to showcase an outstanding project and their Women’s History project. Recognition is given for year-end reports documenting compliance with the National program objectives. Individual members are recognized for volunteer service performed in their communities for employed and retired members.
FOUNDERS' DAY
Clubs are required to celebrate Founders’ Day annually to recognize the shoulders on which we stand and the role and responsibility we have to prepare our young people for the future. This observance is the occasion to present the Sojourner Truth award to an outstanding African American woman. This is the highest award given by the Association and presented by a local club. The award was established in 1948.
HEALTH
The World Health Organization has defined health as “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” Our Clubs, sharing their expertise and knowledge, design and implement projects addressing health issues, and advocating and supporting community health initiatives.
EDUCATION
Education is the foundation for improving one’s standard of living, increasing cultural awareness, learning fundamental skills for living, and acquiring problem solving skills. Our clubs implement an array of activities including financial aid workshops, adopting schools, college tours, test-taking strategies, and mentoring. The scholarship program is the foundation of the education focus on the local, district, and National levels.
EMPLOYMENT
The ability to earn wages for work is a basic human right. Too often women are not afforded the opportunity to earn a decent wage in non-traditional jobs. This disparity in wages and job opportunities is evident throughout the African-American community for women and men. Our programs include providing information on employment, careers, and skill building.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Clubs direct their programming efforts on developing and sustaining black and women owned business in our communities through The Power of Our Dollar$ project and the National Black Business Directory. Projects address the difficulty in accessing business capital, accumulating personal assets, real property holdings, estate planning, and retirement strategies.
WOMEN'S HISTORY
In 1996 the Convention adopted the Women’s History program as the nationally recognized program selecting the theme “Women’s History is Our History Too!” The first Saturday in March is designated as NANBPWC, Inc. Women’s History Day. The purpose is to focus on the many contributions made by African American women who have and are instrumental in advancing education, business, professions, technology, family, and community.
VOCAL ARTS
The vocal arts competition was first introduced in 1983 as the Leontyne Price Vocal Arts Competition. The 2001 Convention changed the name to the Vocal Arts Competition for Emerging Artist upon joining the National Opera Association to offer additional benefits to the contestants. The competition is designed to recognize promising young Black classical vocalist by providing a performance venue and scholarships. The competition begins on the local level, the first place district winner competes at the National Convention.
COLLABORATION
We have a strong commitment to working with other organizations dedicated to improving our communities. Our focus is to develop opportunities to maximize efforts, leverage resources, and jointly promote community empowerment and self-sufficiency. Through our “Stand Up! Speak Out!” program we provide information and take action on legislative issues. Our Training Directory is a resource for working with institutions of higher learning and our Networking Directory provides a listing of organizations we have worked with in our project implementation. We welcome every collaborative and networking opportunity.
- INSPIRING YOUNG PEOPLE…
- "Recognizing MYSPACE"
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- The goal of NANBPWC, Inc. youth division is:
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Membership Development
Youth Entrepreneurial
Serving our Communities
Prepardness/Professionalism
Activism
Cultural Awareness
Education
- To join our youth E-group send an email to: BPWYouthBridges2@yahoo.com
BETA PSI – BOLD, ENERGETIC, TRUSTWORTHY, AWARE, POSITIVE, SINCERE, INGENIOUS
Beta Psi Clubs consist of young women and men attending an accredited college, university, business or technical school who want to get involved with human services, economic, social, and political issues affecting the lives and welfare of the poor, minorities and the handicapped. Beta Psi members share skills and knowledge, increase leadership skills, develops communication skills, sharpen problem-solving and decision-making skills.
- INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS
- The International Affairs Division's (IAD) primary endeavor is to foster an appreciation among our constituents of the need for international collaboration, cooperation and understanding. The IAD serves to develop effective programs for women and children globally, using International HEED as a model for income generating projects, communicating the effects of diet and clean water on health, and promoting economic development through education. These programs support grassroots women's groups by empowering women to identify and implement solutions to the problems in their communities, to share skills and expertise in health, education, and economic development.
Our accomplishments have included: 1) "Vision for Africa," - a collection of over 2,000 prescription eyeglasses were distributed throughout various countries around the world; 2) A food project, “Rice for Motherland”, with an emphasis on African countries such as Togo, Benin, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Lesotho, South Africa, Zambia; and, the Caribbean; and, 3) The adoption of African villages in Ghana. Implemented projects included the following: the building of a school, toilets and a clinic, and the establishment of water wells which provides clean water for drinking and cooking. In concert with general membership support, IAD provides ongoing resources which include medical supplies, boats, clothing and food, educational sponsorship for students’ tuition, books and uniforms. Additionally, IAD donates sewing machines and school supplies to South Africa; oxen and clothing to Ethiopia.
The NANBPWC, Inc. is proud of our 30 year affiliation with the UN as a recognized Non-Government Organization (NGO). Each year we convene at the United Nations on Columbus Day to celebrate our commitment to strengthening our global and local linkages. This celebration includes a UN Briefing on the Status of Women and an Awards Luncheon which recognizes and honors outstanding leaders and local citizens who have addressed global concerns.
The major goals of the International Affairs Divisions are:
- To strengthen global and local linkages between African and American women;
- To empower Black women to begin small-scale enterprises;
- To demonstrate, through simultaneous success stories, the need for American women to support US international cooperation, policy and programs; and,
- To promote the development of education opportunities so that African American women can further their understanding of African micro enterprises development and its relationship toward self-reliance.
Please Join Us!
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NANBPWC, Inc.
1806 New Hampshire Ave, N.W.
Washington, DC 20009
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(202) 483-4206
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NBUF/CFC # 10458
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(National Black United Fund/Combined Federal Campaign)
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