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Better together.

On Our Own Terms (OOOT) is an initiative of the Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI). OOOT is an informed network of organizations and experts who are focused on the prevention of HIV for, by and about Black cis and transgender women, as well as the care and treatment of women living with HIV.

Gianna
why now

We simply don’t have time to waste.

According to the latest available data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly 60 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the US are among Black women. While their rates of infection are finally dropping (by 25 percent), we still have the highest rates among all women. In fact, Black women still have nearly 15 times the rate as their white counterparts, and five times the rate of Latinas. Black women and women of color must finally be a priority in policy and action in the prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Our work combines evidence-based practices, cross-sector collaborations and the strengthening of community assets to lift up the sexual health and well being of Black women. OOOT is highlighting our mutual abilities to deliver innovative solutions and make a lasting investment in prevention.

We’ve teamed up with legendary actress Keshia Knight Pulliam for a PSA urging you to Own Your Ish when it comes to your sexual health!

87%
of Black women living with HIV contracted HIV through heterosexual contact
51%
of HIV diagnoses were among African American Transgender women in 2014.
KESHIA video

Resources & Tools

OOOT Video PHAB cast episode 1
PhabCast Episode 1 Teaser 3
PhabCast Episode 1 Teaser 2

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Welp, we are all just out here doing the best we can. 😂😂 But seriously, are you tired of your veggies going bad before you can use them? Try these quick fridge hacks to stretch their shelf life:

✅ Keep ethylene-producing fruits like apples away from your veggies—they speed up spoilage
✅ Don’t wash produce until you’re ready to use it. Moisture invites mold
✅ Store herbs in a damp paper towel inside a loose bag or container
✅ Trim the tops off root veggies like carrots and beets to keep them crisp
✅ Use glass or clear containers so you can see what you’ve got and don’t forget it’s there

A little prep now saves you wasted food and money later.
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The #ExhaleSummit is off to an incredible start! @nationalmsk

We kicked things off by pulling back the curtain on how Big Tobacco targets us, Black women.

We’re growing our voices in advocacy and storytelling, connecting with changemakers from all over, and truly experiencing what a soft, smoke-free life can look like. This ain’t just a summit, it’s healing. It’s community. It’s liberation.

#ExhaleSummit2025 #BlackGirlAdvocacy #BlackWomensHealth
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“Pregnancy outcomes are not just a woman’s burden to bear, Men are equal players in the health of a pregnancy. Shared biology, shared responsibility” @wickdconfessions

Did you know men’s health plays a bigger role in miscarriage than we thought? It’s not just about the mom’s health—sperm quality, genetic factors, lifestyle facto, and even health conditions in men can affect the likelihood of miscarriage.

We have to consider men’s health in the conversation around reproductive health because both partners play a role in creating the healthiest environment for a pregnancy.
@drmarciaschaefer
#BlackWomensHealth #BWHI #theImperative
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A Breakthrough in HIV prevention!!!

The FDA just approved lenacapavir, and just two injections a year could provide near-complete protection from HIV.

Twice-a-year treatment could make it easier for more people to access and stay protected. We’re looking at a future where HIV prevention becomes easier, more accessible, and stigma-free.

#hivprevention #iamhivpossible #blackwomenshealth #TheImperative #BWHI
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Hey family, we know a lot is happening right now, and it’s hard to navigate it all. How are you feeling? If you're feeling uncertain, overwhelmed, or just plain exhausted, you’re not alone.

Sometimes, just knowing someone else is feeling the same can make all the difference. Let’s check in on each other. Send a text, share a moment, or just take a pause to let each other know we’re here.

Sometimes, we get caught up in the chaos and forget to take a moment to really check in with ourselves and each other. If you need a social media time-out, or a moment to breathe, do what’s necessary to protect your peace. Your mental health matters more than anything else.

#CheckIn #BlackWomensHealth #TheImperative #BWHI
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We’re excited to join the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. @ncbwdc @nc100bwinc at their 2nd Annual Fit, Fabulous, and Fearless Wellness Fair!

If you’re in DC, come visit us at the BWHI table at the Anacostia Arts Center in Washington, DC from 10am - 2pm. We’ll be sharing resources, empowering information, and supporting Black women’s health every step of the way.

Staying fit, fabulous, fearless together! 💪🏾💜

#FitFabulousFearless #BlackWomenHealth #WellnessFair #BWHI #CommunityCare #NCBW
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Join us tomorrow at 10:30am PST for a virtual screening of 'Me Period', as we continue our mission to foster open conversations about menstrual health.​

'Me Period' explores the beauty and complexity of how Black families navigate discussions about puberty, menstruation, and health discovery. The film features everyday mothers and daughters, as well as celebrity appearances by Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tabitha Brown with their daughters. ​

This event is hosted by The CA Chapters of NCBW and the CA chapters of the National Black Nurses Association

All are invited to join in and engage in this important conversation. https://meperiod.info/june21
🔗 in our bio

#MePeriod #BWHI #MenstrualHealth #GeorgiaStateCapitol #OpenConversations #BlackFamilies"
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🙌🏾our very own @drsharonthompson

RP @nationalnow

In 2025, Black women in the U.S. still can’t get the quality healthcare their white peers often receive. The history of bias in this country continues to play out through social determinants of health, from poverty to whether or not people have access to clean water. Despite the many questions that remain around women’s health, the Trump administration has also recently reduced funding for women’s health research.

Across the country, Black women are leading the charge to make change. Today, NOW National President @christian_prez4now sits down with Dr. Sharon Thompson, Medical Director and Board Vice Chair of the @blkwomenshealth, to discuss why Black women are disproportionately impacted by inequities in the healthcare system—and how combatting these disparities benefits everyone.
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It’s Men’s Mental Health Month, tag all the men in your village!! It’s so important that we remind the men in our lives that they deserve a community too. 🖤

Too often, they’re expected to be strong and carry the weight of the world without anyone checking in on their mental health.

We know, real strength comes from being able to lean on others and share what’s going on inside. We to show up for our brothers, fathers, sons, and partners, encouraging them to open up, seek support, and create spaces where they can truly be heard. 💪🏾

Thank you for this check-in on our men @trellthetrainer
#mensmentalhealthmonth
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We're hosting a virtual screening of our award-winning documentary, 'Me Period"!

Join us on June 21st at 10:30am PST as we continue our mission to foster open conversations about menstrual health.​

'Me Period' explores the beauty and complexity of how Black families navigate discussions about puberty, menstruation, and health discovery. The film features everyday mothers and daughters, as well as celebrity appearances by Sheryl Lee Ralph and Tabitha Brown with their daughters. ​

This event is hosted by The CA Chapters of NCBW @nc100bwinc and the CA chapters of the National Black Nurses Association @NBNA_insta

All are invited to join in and engage in this important conversation. https://meperiod.info/june21
🔗 in our bio

#MePeriod #BWHI #MenstrualHealth #GeorgiaStateCapitol #OpenConversations #BlackFamilies"
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A new approach to treating aggressive breast cancers is showing amazing progress with significant improvements in survival rates. 🙌🏾 In a recent trial, patients received chemotherapy followed by a targeted cancer drug before surgery and 100% of patients survived the critical three-year period post-surgery! 💪🏾

This trial, led by Addenbrooke’s Hospital and the University of Cambridge, is a huge step forward, especially for those battling aggressive breast cancer. The results show that leaving a 48-hour gap between chemotherapy and olaparib allows the bone marrow time to recover and makes the tumor more vulnerable to the drug, giving patients a stronger chance to thrive.

Out of the 39 patients who received this treatment, only one patient relapsed after three years, proving the power of this breakthrough. This is a true testament to the potential of innovative treatments in saving lives.

Read more, click the 🔗 in our bio

#BreastCancerAwareness #HealthBreakthrough #BlackWomenHealth #SurvivalAndHope #CancerCare #MedicalAdvancements
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We need you, family. We are about to close this out in the next two weeks. We’ve already had over 3000 respondents. With your help we know we can double it before our survey ends. @jessicashepherdmd @smalonemd @justbeingmelani @heyshantaq @blackgirlsguidetomenopause @menopauseincolor and even if you are not a menopause influencer please share with your network. Link in bio or visit BWHI.org/menopausesurvey ...

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To the fathers who keep showing up, holding it down, and loving out loud, your presence is the real legacy. Every hug, every hard talk, every moment you pour into your family is a powerful truth that outshines any myth. We celebrate you today and every day.

#BWHI #TheImperative
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We see you!💜

Your courage and resilience is not invisible.
But neither is your exhaustion.

This moment is heavy, and your nervous system is not a machine. So when you get a moment, let your body exhale.
Let peace find a way in, through breath, through stillness, through whatever reminds you: you are safe.

Taking care of your mind, was never meant to be separate from your whole health journey. And never forget, rest is strategy too.
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