About

Southern California Coalition (SCC-NCNW) History

SCC- NCNW was started when Meda Chamberlain was appointed Executive Director of the Southern California Area. She was followed by Hazel Isaiah Ransom and Otheta Glover who were appointed as conveners. The current President/Convener of Southern California is Dr. Helena Johnson. Lois Carson was on the national board for more than 10 years before term limits were added. She was initially a committee member and progressed to a National Vice President under Dorothy I. Height.

SCC-NCNW has offered several federally funded projects as well as partnerships with organizations such as United Way, The American Red Cross, as well as the City and County of Los Angeles. The most infamous project presented by SCC-NCNW was a series of Black Family Reunion that started in 1986 and is still held periodically throughout the area. A major accomplishment was the purchase of our headquarters at 3720 W. 54th St, Los Angeles.

Branches of SCC-NCNW are located in various areas throughout Southern California. There were almost twenty-one sections in Southern California at one time. Currently sections include Athens Westmont, Bethune, Compton, High Desert, Inland Empire, Los Angeles, Mary McLeod Bethune, Long Beach, Orange County, Riverside, San Diego, and View Park. In addition, there is the Los Angeles Life Member Guild and Moreno Valley Life Member Guild. We continue to provide programs to enrich families and communities. We continue to grow and hope to bring on at least two new sections this year.

The SCC-NCNW facility owned by the National Council of Negro Women is home to several community programs and is utilized as a Space Sharing resource so that there is room for many community collaboratives. We are an arm of an organization who continues to usher in new eras of social activism and progressive growth. Today we are grounded in our national foundation of critical concerns known as “CORE 4”, STEAM, Financial Literacy and economic stability, Education, Health (mental and physical), as well as civic engagement and advocacy for sound public policy and social justice.

Message from the President

Dear Members,

Thank you for an incredible year filled with unity, purpose, and remarkable accomplishments. Together, we have reached significant milestones and
made a meaningful impact within our communities.

Last year was truly exceptional. Our sections continued to excel by organizing impactful events during Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Black History Month, and Women’s History Month. The San Gabriel Valley Section surpassed all expectations through their dedicated engagement with the Altadena Fire, setting a powerful example of community outreach. Our Black Family Reunion brought us together in celebration and solidarity, while our partnership with the CA Black Women’s Collective on Proposition 50 demonstrated our leadership in providing vital information. We also hosted a successful Bethune Height Recognition Program. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to these initiatives.

This year marks our 90th anniversary, and we are determined to build upon last year’s efforts. We have already begun with MLK Day parades held
across six Southern California cities, further cementing our reputation for dedicated service and hard work. Our ongoing recognition is a testament to
the passion and perseverance of our members.

As we move forward, let us continue to nurture the spirit of sisterhood that defines our organization. I encourage each section to connect with one of
our affiliates and establish ongoing collaborations. Additionally, let us invite new members who are eager to contribute to NCNW projects. As a service
organization, our impact depends on having “boots on the ground.” We must focus on growing our membership and launching collegiate sections to
maintain and advance the strong foundation we have built.

We have even greater plans for your professional development this year. There are exciting opportunities ahead, such as taking on leadership roles within your section or at the national level, including positions like Collegiate Liaison, Social Justice Chair, or board member. Each role is designed to enrich your experience and strengthen your engagement as a valued member of our organization. Secure your place in another impactful year by renewing your allegiance to
NCNW.

Together, we will continue to serve, inspire, and achieve extraordinary things.

Sincerely,

Dr. Helena Johnson, President

#NCNWSTRONG
#SOCALNCNW
#PURPLEPOWER
#SCCNCNW

"A woman is free if she lives by her own standards and creates her own destiny,
if she prizes her individuality and puts no boundaries on her hopes for tomorrow."

Mary McLeod Bethune

NCNW History

The National Council of Negro Women is a coalition comprised of 200 community-based sections in 32 state and 38 national organizational affiliates that work to enlighten and inspire more than 3,000,000 women and men.

Its mission is to lead, advocate for and empower women of African descent, their families, and communities. NCNW was founded by Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist.

For more than fifty years, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height was president of NCNW. Today, under the leadership of Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole, NCNW's programs are grounded on a foundation of critical concerns known as "CORE 4".

NCNW promotes education with a concentrated focus on science, technology, engineering, art and math; encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economic stability, educates women about good mental and physical health practices; promotes civic engagement and advocates for sound public policy consistent with traditional values.

Our Mission

NCNW’s mission is to lead, advocate for and empower women of African descent their families and communities.

NCNW Bylaws

NCNW Pledge

It is our pledge to make a lasting contribution to all that is finest and best in America, to cherish and enrich her heritage of freedom and progress by working for the integration of all her people regardless of race, creed or national origin, into her spiritual, social, cultural, civic and economic life, and thus aid her to achieve the glorious destiny of a true and unfettered democracy.

"We have a powerful potential in our YOUTH, and we must have the COURAGE to CHANGE old IDEAS and PRACTICES so that we may direct their POWER toward GOOD ENDS."

-Mary McLeod Bethune