The Afiya Center - Health Support for Black Women in North Texas

The Afiya Center (TAC) is the only group in North Texas run by Black women that helps Black women and girls with their health. Started in 2008, TAC focuses on reproductive justice - the idea that you get to make your own choices about your body and family. Black women face serious health problems: they are 3 times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, and 1 in 3 Black women in Texas live with HIV or AIDS. TAC offers many programs including Afiya Talks (discussion groups), Living Out Loud (HIV support), Young Black Women for Choice (abortion rights advocacy), SMART Sisters (fighting abortion restrictions), doula training, and an annual Texas Black Women's Summit. They also write reports about Black women's health, run fundraisers, and work to change harmful laws. TAC understands that health connects to racism and poverty. Their name 'Afiya' means 'women's health' in Swahili, and their symbol means 'change.' They create safe spaces where Black women feel welcome and help them speak up for themselves. TAC believes self-care fights back against systems that hurt Black people.

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