About Us
Prioritizing Black Health for Change
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We value the dignity of each individual to live a healthy and vibrant life in Santa Cruz County.
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We value community as a place where healing and connection are fostered. Equitable and accessible services for our mental health and well being are paramount.
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We are stronger together. Establishing equity around Black health outcomes and providing agency to improve them is how we transform our community.
Proudly Serving Santa Cruz since 2020
The Santa Cruz County Black Health Initiative (SCCBHI) began as a catalyst for making cultural connections and fostering a sense of belonging and safety in as many places as possible; especially the outdoors. As the Black community hovers around 1-2% of the county population, combatting isolation and disconnection from one another is imperative.
How We Do It
The Santa Cruz County Black Health Initiative (BHI) believes deeply in the power of community and connection. Our mission is to create transformative solutions that improve mental and community health for Black residents, with a focus on youth empowerment, access to natural spaces, and sustained investments of resources and funding into the community.
We achieve this through cultural events, outdoor activities, micro-grants, sponsorships, mental wellness practices, and youth leadership programs. By fostering meaningful partnerships with other organizations and initiatives, we strive to uplift the dignity and well-being of our community while expanding our reach and impact.
Enriching Events
SCCBHI was born out of the response to the murder of Mr. George Floyd and the local Santa Cruz Black community convening with one another to take action. Through partnerships across the county with multigenerational and multi-focused Black organizations and leadership, SCCBHI embarked upon and mobilized a community initiative to promote equity through a network of community trust, advocacy, and collaboration to improve the quality of life for Black residents in our county.
This initiative centralizes power in the small Black population of Santa Cruz County by providing culture and community-building events, sponsorships to Black-led and supported individuals and organizations, youth development and empowerment, and outdoor events and activities for the mental health and wellness of our community.
“I wish we could do this throughout the year. It's so important for me and my children to be around people [who look] like us to breathe at times, laugh, and have fun together ."
— SCCBHI Participant