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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

follow us on instagram

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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Today marks the first day of Minority Mental Health Month, and we want to take a moment to remind all the Black women out there: you are not failing. 💜

Depression and anxiety can feel invisible because too often, we carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. We push through the struggles without realizing that it’s okay to feel them.

This month, commit to your healing. Whether it’s finding a therapist (or going back if you’ve been dodging), journaling, meditating, or simply giving yourself grace. It doesn’t have to be perfect, sis. But taking those first steps is what matters.

You deserve peace, healing, and well-being. Let’s make that our priority this month and beyond.

Rp: @yogaandmahogany

#MinorityMentalHealthMonth #MentalHealthMatters #BlackWomensHealth #HealingJourney #SelfCare #BWHI #TheImperative
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As we wrap up Black Music Month and head straight into Minority Mental Health Month, we’re vibing to this powerful playlist for our mental health, curated by Black artists. 💜 Big shoutout to @undonebypaige for looking out for us and sharing this healing music with the community! 🙌🏾

Music is such a powerful tool for relaxation and healing. This playlist is exactly what we needed to soothe our souls, uplift our spirits, and help us prioritize our peace.

#BlackMusicMonth #MentalHealthMatters #HealingThroughMusic #BWHI #BlackWomensHealth #TheImperative
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What’s happening right now on Capitol Hill:

The Senate is in a vote-a-rama—a rapid-fire voting session on amendments to the president’s “big, beautiful bill.” But here’s the catch: once the Senate makes changes, the bill has to go back to the House for another vote before it can reach the president’s desk.

The president is pushing for it to pass by July 4, but the consequences are severe:
🩺 Nearly 12 million people could lose health coverage.
💸 Deep cuts to Medicaid, education, and other essential programs.
⚠️ Even Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) voted no—and then announced he won’t run again, citing concerns over the damage these Medicaid cuts would do.

📞 Call your Senators now.
Tell them our health is not up for debate.

#BWHI #TheImperative #BlackWomensHealth
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Imagine if our body parts had a group chat behind our backs… 😅

@t.elan_official nailed it! 🙌🏾😂💜

Our bodies are TALKING and screaming for TLC. We put ourselves through the wringer! #bwhi
#blackwomenshealth #theimperative
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That’s right, Keshia—talk that talk!

We’re flashing back to when Keshia Knight Pulliam teamed up with us to drop some truth about why knowing your HIV status matters.

And here’s why it still does:
Black women make up 50% of new HIV diagnoses among women in the U.S., even though we’re only 13% of the female population.

This National HIV Testing Day, take a moment for you. Knowing your status is power.

#NationalHIVTestingDay #KnowYourStatus #ProtectBlackWomen #BWHI
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The Supreme Court has upheld a portion of the Affordable Care Act that makes preventive care, like cancer screenings and HIV-prevention meds, free for those who need it the most.

In a 6-3 decision, the Court rejected claims to block medications meant to prevent the spread of HIV. This would have also affected millions, including those who rely on essential meds for cholesterol, lung cancer screenings, and even breast cancer prevention.

40 million Americans depend on these services, and today’s ruling ensures they can still access the care they need without obstacles.
#HealthEquity #PreventiveCare #BWHI #BlackWomensHealth #TheImperative
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We’re proud to be one of the eight national partner organizations behind the 2025 Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda, newly released by In Our Own Voice @blackwomensrj!

This bold, visionary roadmap is built for equity, care, and dignity—with over 125 policy recommendations in areas like healthcare, safety, and justice.

We’re especially honored to have contributed to shaping the conversation around Black women’s experience with menopause, co-authoring a section alongside @blackgirlsguidetomenopause

Download the 2025 Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda, 🔗 in our bio
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The Supreme Court has made a dangerous decision today in a 6-3 ruling, allowing South Carolina to block Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving Medicaid funds. This ruling is a major blow to the low-income individuals who rely on Planned Parenthood for essential healthcare services like contraception, cancer screenings, and STI testing.

The Medicaid program, which serves as a lifeline for millions of low-income people, will no longer support those seeking care at Planned Parenthood clinics in South Carolina, disproportionately impacting women of color, especially as nearly 60% of Medicaid beneficiaries in the state are people of color.

This decision is a clear step toward restricting access to vital healthcare for women, especially those who need it the most.

#ReproductiveRights #BlackWomensHealth #AccessToCare #HealthEquity #BWHI #TheImperative
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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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