About Our Programs

+ Sisters Together Empowering Peers (STEP)

The Sisters Together Empowering Peers (STEP) program was founded in 2002 to support Black mothers transitioning from the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program and to strengthen early childhood readiness for Black children entering kindergarten. Through monthly virtual motherhood circles, leadership training, and community gatherings such as the Community BBQ and Holiday Giveaways, STEP provides continued education, peer support, and opportunities for women to become community leaders. In partnership with the City of Berkeley’s BIH Program and other local organizations, STEP ensures a seamless continuum of care and access to essential resources. The program strengthens families, builds trusted peer networks, and enhances the overall well-being of Black mothers and their children. Community members can get involved by registering for our monthly virtual STEP meetings.

[Register for S.T.E.P. here!]

+ Kindergarten Readiness

The Kindergarten Readiness Program, delivered through our STEP peer-education model and funded by YEP, was developed to support African American parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools needed to access quality childcare, understand early childhood development, and prepare children ages 0–5 for kindergarten. STEP Leaders are trained to design and carry out culturally responsive outreach and education plans that engage parenting mothers, families, and kin-care providers. Through community empowerment groups, educational forums, and workshops held in accessible neighborhood settings, the program shares critical information about early learning, early enrollment, and the importance of school readiness. In collaboration with experts from the City of Berkeley’s Youth Equity Partnership, Berkeley Unified School District, and other community partners, parents receive guidance grounded in “Equity for Black Children,” including topics such as toxic stress, racism, and their effects on early development and family stability. The program strengthens families by elevating Black parents’ experiences, reducing barriers to early education, and helping children enter school confident and prepared. Families can get involved by participating in STEP meetings and attending our early childhood readiness workshops offered throughout the year.

+ Thirsty 4 Change! (T4C!)

Thirsty 4 Change! was created to promote healthier lifestyles among African American families by increasing awareness of health disparities and encouraging nutritious food and drink choices. The program includes activities such as community gardening, farmer’s market walks, cooking demonstrations, and the Youth Water Ambassadors initiative, which educates residents on the risks of sugar-sweetened beverages. In collaboration with the Center for Food, Faith and Justice, McGee Avenue Baptist Church, and The Way Christian Center, Thirsty 4 Change! integrates community, faith, and health education to support sustainable wellness. This work improves knowledge, strengthens healthy habits, and empowers families to make positive changes. Participants can get involved by registering for our free virtual Shop Smart, Eat Healthy nutrition classes and joining our in-person farmer’s market walks.

+ Telling Our Stories (TOS)

The Telling Our Stories (TOS) program, founded in 2019, was developed to provide Black women with a safe, creative space to reflect, heal, and connect through writing. Through a six-week series of healing writing circles, women explore personal experiences and develop original stories that are published in the What We Carry: Stories Black Women Never Tell series, with eight books released to date, along with live book events and podcast conversations. Working with local authors, wellness practitioners, and community partners, TOS fosters trauma-informed environments that support emotional growth and storytelling. The program strengthens community bonds, amplifies Black women’s voices, and inspires collective healing. Participants can get involved by joining a writing circle, attending book events, purchasing the books, or listening to the podcast.

Buy the books here!

Listen to the podcast!

+ Equity 4 Black Berkeley (E4BB)

Equity 4 Black Berkeley (E4BB) is a community-led initiative, in partnership with the City of Berkeley and partially funded by the San Francisco Foundation, created to repair the longstanding harm caused by institutional racism, segregation, and redlining that displaced generations of Black families from South and West Berkeley. Led by Healthy Black Families, E4BB advances the goals of repaying, repairing, rebuilding, and restoring the historic vitality of Berkeley’s Black community by uplifting community voices and focusing on equitable housing, health, community spaces, and economic opportunity. Through a multi-phase, community-driven process, residents share their experiences, needs, and visions for a future where Black families can stay, return, and thrive in their cultural home. The impact of this work is reflected in stronger community power, clearer pathways to equity-focused policy, and a citywide commitment to redressing historic harm. Community members can get involved by participating in upcoming E4BB gatherings, storytelling sessions, and public engagement opportunities that shape the program’s next phases.

+ Affordable Housing Preference Policy (AHPP)

The Affordable Housing Preference Policy was developed by the City of Berkeley to create a pathway for Black families to return to, remain in, and reconnect with the historic Black community of South and West Berkeley. As an early step in repairing harm caused by institutional racism, segregation, and redlining, the policy reflects the City’s growing commitment to restore opportunities for displaced Black residents. The policy’s development is directly informed by the data, narratives, and community priorities gathered through the Equity 4 Black Berkeley initiative—whose findings demonstrated both the scale of displacement and the urgent need for targeted, equity-centered housing solutions. By integrating E4BB’s community-driven research and resident voices, the City Council was able to pass the Affordable Housing Preference Policy as a concrete response to historically unmet needs. The policy strengthens pathways for Black families to return home and supports a broader framework for racial repair. Community members can get involved by attending City of Berkeley meetings, learning more about eligibility, and joining E4BB programs that continue shaping housing equity efforts.

+ Village Cultural Academy

The Village Cultural Academy Art of Storytelling Program was created to offer African American and Latino students at Longfellow Middle School a meaningful, creative outlet to express their personal and cultural identities through storytelling, writing, and art. Designed to enhance academic and personal growth, the program strengthens literacy, self-esteem, and critical thinking while encouraging students to explore their heritage and build cultural pride. Through trauma-informed, healing-centered workshops—featuring practices such as reflective writing and “Constant Questioning”—students gain tools to process lived experiences, develop resilience, and deepen self-awareness. The program fosters a supportive, culturally grounded environment where students can safely share their stories and create original work that reflects their identities. The culminating student showcase brings families and community members together to celebrate the participants' achievements and voices. Students and families can get involved by connecting with Longfellow Middle School’s program staff to join upcoming storytelling workshops and showcase opportunities.

**[Click Here to Register your student(s) in the Village Cultural Academy**