The National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. (NHBW) is a remarkable nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by a group of passionate black women under the leadership of Dr. Arnita Young Boswell, during the fourth Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Weekend. They organized a national forum to address the needs and concerns of women and children.
The National Hook-Up of Black Women, Inc. (NHBW) is a national, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization.
Today, NHBW is comprised of 23 chapters from all over the United States, working tirelessly to make a significant impact in their communities.
NHBW is an affiliate of Black United Fund of Illinois, and their National headquarters is located in the Henry L. English Entrepreneurial & Business Center located at 1750 E. 71st Street, Suite 103, Chicago, IL 60649.
Melissa Powell, is the President of the Chicago Chapter of NHBW and has been a dedicated leader for seven years. Melissa works closely with her chapter to ensure that all programs for NHBW Chicago run smoothly.
“I sit down with my Chapter and discuss what to do to support our local communities,” confessed Melissa.
The NHBW Chicago Chapter has accomplished an impressive list of activities in the past year. They have conducted a Teen Summit and African American Read-In in February, Women In History Tribute in March, National Annual Meeting in April, Literacy Walk in September, hosted several Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness events in October, and support numerous organizations and help supply much needed personal hygiene items that also feed the homeless every weekend in the Chicagoland area.
In November, NHBW Chicago will host an event to feed the Veterans and provide essential items to women in “Tent City.”
Emma Washington, the First Vice President, is responsible for all program activities which include: Teen Summits, establishing Reading Rooms, hosting Breast Cancer, Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and Alzheimer’s events, support needy families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays and support a Literacy Program to promoting reading.
Emma explained, “Now that we are back out in the community after COVID, we are able to do more outreach and support families and partner with other organizations. We have Reading Rooms, Corners & Carts established at places like the Family Christian Health Center and St. Mark M.B. Church in Harvey, IL, the K.L.E.O. Community Family Center at Life Center C.O.G.I.C., and Bishop Shepard Little Community Center. We have donated over 200 books to these facilities.”
NHBW has a T.O.P. program (Teens Overcoming Pressure) that provide a Teen Summit to help teenagers overcome peer pressure and bullying.
“We get community-based people involved to talk to the teens about overcoming peer pressure and bullying, community violence, financial literacy, teen dating and mental health.
NHBW Chicago have supported the 79th Street Renaissance Festival through the GreaterAuburn Gresham Development Corporation for the last two years and provided toiletries to fill 150 back-to-school backpacks.
Annette Keys, the Second Vice President, is responsible for membership and recruitment. She works tirelessly to retain, maintain and sustain the Chapter’s membership, which is key to the organization’s growth.
Betty Powell, the Treasurer and Bookkeeper, keeps an accurate account of all funds and ensures that they are dispensed as needed. She also participates in all other activities.
“I keep an accurate account and make sure that funds are dispensed as needed,” Betty explained.
Sharon McDonald, the Chicago Chapter’s Secretary, records all activities that the Chapter participate in. She works closely with the Treasurer as well as all Chapter officers to ensure accurate records and that information is clearly and concisely communicated.
“I make sure that the communication is distributed to all Chapter members, as well as communication to or from the National office and our Central Region Director,” Sharon said.
“In September 2023, we joined our Sisters in the Northwest Indiana Chapter for their Reading for Life Walk-A-Thon. We also launched a virtual walk-a-thon to help fund our programs because we cannot do anything without funding,” exclaimed Sharon.
Dr. Wynetta Frazier, one of the Chicago Chapter’s founding members, explains that the organization’s importance stems from its ability to lift each other up and not leave other women behind.
Dr. Frazier expressed, “When I say prosperous, I mean living above the poverty level and able to survive. What makes us important as an organization is that we can lift each other up and not leave other women behind. We are our Sister’s Keeper! Our organization wants to envision women becoming more involved and having a voice to govern their lives.”
NHBW strives to see women become more involved and have a voice to govern their lives. The organization provides families with needed resources, and additional services come from community partners. Their goal is to help women become prosperous, living above the poverty level and the ability to survive for themselves and their families.
President Melissa Powell stated that some of the Chicago Chapter’s local partners are: New Life Baptist Church, Sheperd Little Community Center, Life Center C.O.G.I.C., K.L.E.O. Community Family Life Center, Veterans New Beginnings, St. Mark M.B. Church, True Vine of Holiness M.B. Church, Greater-Auburn Gresham Development Corporation with St. Sabina Church, Illinois Top Ladies and Top Teens of Distinction and Prodigy Child Learning Center.”
NHBW Chicago is growing and glowing, and they are indeed their Sister’s Keeper. Join them today and make a difference.
