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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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We’re excited to launch a new series spotlighting the real stories behind the statistics. More Than a Diagnosis: Voices Uncovered is a space where Black women share their journeys with courage, honesty, and hope—reminding us all that we are so much more than any condition we face.

Our first story features @gennymack__ , who opens up about her journey with lupus. Genny’s truth, resilience, and advocacy set the tone for this series and inspire us all to keep pushing for understanding, equity, and healing.

Read Genny’s story, link in our bio.
#lupus #lupuswarrior #BWHI #theimperative #blackwomenshealth
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We just found out about a variety of lupus clinical trials. If you or a family member or friend have been looking for answers-or wondering if clinical trials are really for us-this could be an opportunity to consider.

The study is exploring investigational medications that may help develop treatments for future and existing patients. Because real progress means including our experiences from the beginning.
Learn more: (Link in Bio)

#LupusAwareness #LupusStrong #ClinicalTrials
#BWHI #BlackWomensHealth
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Our Film Me Period Heads to BronzeLens!

We’re proud to share that Me Period has been officially selected for the 2025 BronzeLens Film Festival—our fourth film festival acceptance! After winning the Audience Award at the 2024 Essence Film Festival, we’re thrilled to continue the journey in Atlanta this August.

Now in its 16th year, BronzeLens is one of the nation’s premier festivals celebrating films by and about people of color. We can’t wait to bring our story of healing, self-advocacy, and generational health to this powerful platform.

Interested in hosting a screening? Click the Link in our Bio to learn more.
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RP @raquel_the_expert!

We often think we need a blueprint for our lives, but the truth is, some lessons are meant to be lived, not planned.

Thoughts?? What are some of the life lessons you’re learning these days?

#LifeLessons #BWHI #TheImperative #GrowthJourney #RealTalk
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It’s Minority Mental Health Month, and it’s time for us to share and spread the resources that help us heal. Our mental health matters just as much as our physical health, so let’s make sure we’re lifting each other up and finding the support we need.

Tag your favorite mental health professional in the comments, because one of our sistas might just be looking for someone to talk to. Let's create a village where we care for each other and prioritize our peace. 💜

#saveforlater #MinorityMentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthMatters #BWHI #BlackWomensHealth #TheImperative
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Ok… sis, @rebeccaDupas snatched us by our edges with this one….Whew! But someone needed it! Sometimes we absolutely have to gather ourselves!

HOW TO SLAY A DRAGON (a poem about the day I met myself) by poet Rebecca Dupas.

“She said, You met a lot of hurt people who wanted you to feel the same/you used to tune them out, but now/in the quiet corners of your day/you regurgitate all of the negative opinions they used to throw your way…”
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We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of @MClyte beloved mother, Constance Moorer.

Our hearts go out to MC Lyte and her family during this incredibly difficult time. A mother's love is irreplaceable, and we know that the strength and wisdom Constance imparted will live on in her daughter’s legacy.

Sending love, peace, and comfort to MC Lyte and her family as they navigate this immense loss. 💜
#Condolences #RestInPeace #MClyte #ConstanceMoorer #BWHI #StrengthInGrief
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Black women deserve more than a number when it comes to obesity care, and we’re about to dive into this important conversation on July 16th at 7 PM ET during our IG Live!

Join us and @everybodycovered for More Than a Number: Black Women's Fight for Obesity Care. We’ll be discussing how weight bias and obesity impact Black women’s well-being and access to treatment.

We’re bringing together experts and advocates like:
⭐️ Michele Tedder @coach_tedder, BWHI Senior Program Manager
⭐️ Millicent Gorham, CEO of the Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention
⭐️ Dr. Holly Lofton @drhollylofton , Director of Medical Weight Management at NYU Langone
⭐️ Latesha Byrd @latesha_byrd , Founder of Perfeqta

This is an important dialogue for us as Black women to share our experiences, advocate for better care, and call for policy change.

Don’t miss it! 💪🏾
#ObesityCare #HealthEquity #BlackWomensHealth #EveryBODYCovered #BWHI #TheImperative #FightForBetterCare #IGLive
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What an incredible time we had at the BWHI Wellness Rodeo at Essence Fest! 💜 Huge thanks to the amazing @raheem_devaughn for stopping by and helping us spread the word about the importance of HIV testing and prevention.

Your support means so much to us as we continue to empower our community with knowledge and resources.

Learn more about HIV prevention and how to add more tools to your sexual health toolbox , click the link in our bio.

#BWHI #EssenceFest #HIVPrevention #HealthEquity #TheImperative #RaheemDeVaughn #WellnessRodeo
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Venus Williams is an icon both on and off the court, but even she faced struggles that were downplayed by doctors. She recently revealed her battle with fibroids and how her pain was often minimized, highlighting a critical issue that many Black women face when it comes to healthcare.

Fibroids affect so many of us and often leading to severe pain, heavy periods, and even fertility challenges. We have to stop being dismissed and ignored. Our pain is real, and we deserve to be heard and treated with the respect we deserve.

Thank you, @venuswilliams , for using your platform to raise awareness and share your truth. Your courage is empowering women everywhere to speak up, demand better care, and take control of their health. 💪🏾

#FibroidAwareness #BlackWomenHealth #VenusWilliams #HealthEquity #BWHI #TheImperative
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Thank you @theblackfitlanthropist for this PSA for our beautiful Black women! 💜

Eat that protein, take your vitamins, and eliminate stress wherever you can. Stress can do a lot of damage to our bodies, affecting everything from hormonal imbalances to heart health, and even immune function.

Our bodies deserve to feel good, and healthy choices like proper nutrition, rest, and stress management are key to giving us the energy and strength we need to keep thriving. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup, take care of yourself, sis!

#BlackWomenWellness #Blackwomenshealth #SelfCare #StressFree #BWHI #TheImperative #HealthyBlackWomen
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Day ✨ONE✨ of @essencefest was one for the books!!!

We kicked things off with our sexual health partner @drbritwilliams, who had a powerful convo with two of our faves: @fullcourtpumps and @weezywtf @_decisionsdecisions podcast 🎙️📚. They dropped gems and copies of their new book while reminding us how crucial it is for Black women to know all their options—like taking PrEP for HIV prevention 💊🛡️.

Then we got into the real talk on menopause with @drstephanieyomo of @menopauseincolor, who just dropped a beautiful new menopause journal 📔💜.

Meanwhile, our RJ team was POPPIN’ 💥 with our Level the Court partnership with @wnba and @opill_otc! Folks learned how to get 3 months of Opill FREE with our BWHI Opill access Fund. (Link in bio) 👏🏽🙌🏽.
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Essence Fest is here!!!

Come visit us at the Community Hub today at 1 PM for an unfiltered and real talk session hosted by Dr. Britt Williams, featuring Mandii B and WeezyWTF from the Decisions, Decisions podcast! PLUS, a special giveaway of their new book!

Don’t miss out—this is going to be real, raw, and empowering!

@Drbritwilliams @_decisionsdecisions @fullcourtpumps @weezywtf

#EssenceFestival #BWHI #CommunityHub #DecisionsDecisionsPodcast #BlackWomensHealth
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Black women’s freedom is a journey, a process, and a deep-rooted belief in our right to live fully, authentically, and without limitation.

Freedom for Black women means having access to the healthcare we deserve, not just in theory, but in practice. We need care that is equitable, compassionate, and tailored to our unique needs. We should never have to fight for the medical attention that everyone else gets with ease.

Freedom for Black women also means equal pay. No more being undervalued, underpaid, or passed over for opportunities because of our race or gender. We work just as hard, if not harder, and we deserve to be compensated fairly. Financial freedom is an integral part of being able to build a future where we don’t have to choose between survival and success.

Most importantly, freedom for Black women is the ability to make decisions for our bodies. To have control over our reproductive rights and our well-being. Our choices should never be dictated by anyone other than ourselves. We deserve the power to decide what happens to our bodies without fear of judgment or restriction.

This Independence Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and how far we still have to go. We’ve fought for equality, justice, and freedom throughout history, and we’re still fighting. The road ahead will require more of us, more strength, more unity, more action, because OUR HEALTH IS IMPERATIVE!

#Freedom #HealthEquity #EqualPay #ReproductiveJustice #BlackWomensHealth #BWHI #TheImperative
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Black women deserve more than a number when it comes to obesity care, and we’re about to dive into this important conversation on July 16th at 7 PM ET during our IG Live!

Join us and @everybodycovered for More Than a Number: Black Women's Fight for Obesity Care. We’ll be discussing how weight bias and obesity impact Black women’s well-being and access to treatment.

We’re bringing together experts and advocates like:
⭐️ Michele Tedder @coach_tedder, BWHI Senior Program Manager
⭐️ Millicent Gorham, CEO of the Alliance for Women’s Health & Prevention
⭐️ Dr. Holly Lofton @drhollylofton , Director of Medical Weight Management at NYU Langone
⭐️ Latesha Byrd @latesha_byrd , Founder of Perfeqta

This is an important dialogue for us as Black women to share our experiences, advocate for better care, and call for policy change.

Don’t miss it! 💪🏾
#ObesityCare #HealthEquity #BlackWomensHealth #EveryBODYCovered #BWHI #TheImperative #FightForBetterCare #IGLive
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Happy National Crown Day to all of our beautiful sistas! 👑

Today, we celebrate our natural hair, our authentic selves, and the powerful way we express our Black beauty. From curls to kinks, locs to fro’s, our hair tells the story of resilience, culture, and strength.

Our crowns are a reflection of who we are, bold, unapologetic, and full of love for ourselves. Love your hair and embrace the power that comes with wearing it proudly.

Black women, you are the definition of beauty and empowerment.

#NationalCrownDay #BlackHair #BWHI #TheImperative
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Essence Fest Weekend is almost here, and we’ve got something exciting for you!

Come visit us at the Community Hub on July 5th at 1 PM for an unfiltered and real talk session hosted by Dr. Britt Williams, featuring Mandii B and WeezyWTF from the Decisions, Decisions podcast! PLUS, a special giveaway of their new book!

Don’t miss out—this is going to be real, raw, and empowering!

@Drbritwilliams @_decisionsdecisions @fullcourtpumps @weezywtf

#EssenceFestival #BWHI #CommunityHub #DecisionsDecisionsPodcast #BlackWomensHealth
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After a 27-hour vote-a-rama, it’s passed, 51-50 and the VP was the tiebreaker! Now, the bill is heading to the House for debate and a final vote before it gets signed by the President.

This is the moment to call your House reps and make your voice heard. Let them know what this means for you, your community, and the future of this country.
#BWHI #TheImperative #BlackWomensHealth
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Sis, it's going down this weekend! Saddle up for a weekend of Black health, wellness, and empowerment at the Essence Festival in New Orleans! 💜

We’re bringing the BWHI Wellness Rodeo to the Community Hub, and trust, it’s gonna be lit!
We’ve got menopause expert @drstephanieyomo and sexual health guru @sexwithashley ready to spill the tea, drop knowledge, and help us get right with our bodies and minds. 🔥

If you’ve been looking for some real talk, real solutions, and real sisterhood, this is where you need to be! See you at Essence Festival! Let’s make this weekend all about self-care and Black wellness.

#BWHI #EssenceFestival #BlackWomenWellness #MenopauseCare #SexualHealth #SelfCare #TheImperative #WellnessRodeo
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