Think Tank for African American Progress-Long Island

The list of problems and daunting statistics facing the African American community are myriad. Chronic illnesses, including obesity and heart disease, are shortening the lives and limiting the productivity of potentially dynamic Americans. Several will argue that an enduring history of racism, economic exploitation, and cultural oppression are responsible for the current condition of some African American communities. While acknowledging the impact of these societal ills, the Think Tank model moves beyond problems and begins to develop and implement solutions.

Through three-intensive days of information sharing and strategic building among black girls, the organizations that serve them and other key stakeholders in their communities, we unite the collective genius, provide valuable information about the challenges facing the health of young black girls and design a strategic plan that will guide community-led solutions.

Through the Call for Solutions, Black Girls Empowerment Think Tank, Health Plenary, Solutions Roundtables, and Strategy Brief, the Think Tank identifies effective culturally appropriate strategies aimed at solving three critical issues for young black girls: obesity, mental health, and sexual health.

The work of the Think Tank continues beyond the convening. Post-convening, the Think Tank local planning committee will compile the conversations of the Youth Think Tank, Solutions Roundtables and Strategic Planning sessions to form the Strategy Brief. The Strategy Brief is a programmatic and policy-relevant document that outlines a set of strategies for social change, ameliorating the identified health challenges and problems for young Black girls on Long Island.