National Council of Negro Women, Inc. - Metropolitan Dade County Section

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The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Metropolitan Dade County Section, Inc. a community-based section, was chartered on January 21, 1990, under the leadership of Dr. Ann McRae. Since its inception, the Section has remained committed to improving the quality of life for Miami-Dade County citizens through advocacy, education, service, and community engagement.

Through partnerships with community organizations, educational institutions, and other civic groups, the Section continues to provide programs and resources that support individuals and families while advancing NCNW's mission of service and empowerment.

In 2017, the Section established the Nancy S. Dawkins Humanitarian Scholarship Fund to provide financial assistance to graduating high school seniors pursuing higher education at a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The inaugural scholarship, valued at $1,500, was awarded in 2019. Since then, eight students have received scholarships.

2019 recipient: Tyra Gilchrist, Florida A&M University graduate in Elementary Education.

2020 recipient: Ky'la Dyer, Clark Atlanta University graduate in Political Science.

2021 recipient: Chanelle Fisher, is a senior at Florida A&M University majoring in Pharmacy.

2022 recipient: Jamyah Lawhorn, is a senior at Florida A&M University majoring in Business Administration.

2023 recipient: Asia White, is a junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University majoring in Psychology.

2024 recipient: Jenesis Dupree, is a sophomore at Florida A&M University.

2025 recipient: Imani Nissim, is a freshman at Southern University and A&M College.

2026 recipient: Lailah Robinson, is a freshman at Florida A&M University.

The Section also coordinated a Youth Literacy Workshop and Level Up HBCU College Experience. These initiatives connected students and families with college representatives and provided information about college admissions, housing, financial aid, scholarships, and campus life.

Through the NCNW State Initiative, Freedom to Learn, the Section donated books. Members supported Guiding Hands Learning Center through story time and donations and contributed books to the Building Literacy & Self-Esteem Children’s Foundation.

The Section promoted health by partnering with Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Miami Chapter, to host a Community Mental Health Symposium. Members joined Miami Gardens Councilwoman Katrina Baskin’s Parading for Pink and Purple Walk and Susan G. Komen’s Breast Cancer Awareness Walk. At the Healthy, Mind, Heart and Body, Inc. Back-to-School Resource Fair, members distributed school supplies and health information.

Youth activities included the Youth in Action partnership with Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and a Miami Diaper Bank project with Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Miami Chapter, Top Teens of America. Youth supported veterans and Melody House Girls Home in Jamaica, marking first international project.

Community outreach included the Christmas Food Drive benefiting Bethune Head Start at Melrose Elementary School through the Children’s Christmas Wish List, established in 1991. The Section supported Kristi House through food donations and participated in No More Broken Hearts to raise awareness of domestic violence. Members attended the ASAP Day Anniversary hosted by Advancing Sickle Cell Advocacy Project, Inc.; Health Day & Farm Share with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.; the Inaugural Community Health & Resources Fair; and the Miami Gardens Clean-up. Activities included financial and estate planning, a Day at the School Board, voter registration, and membership drives to recruit and re-engage members. The Section also collaborated with Delta Research and Education Foundation and the Women’s Fund.

The Section serves as a mentor and liaison to NCNW Collegiate Sections at Florida International University and the University of Miami. Members provide guidance and support, attend collegiate programs, and encourage participation in NCNW events.

The Section also supports the Florida State Coalition of NCNW and statewide initiatives. The Section provided transportation assistance for collegiate members to attend the Florida State Conference, promoting leadership development, networking, and statewide engagement.

In supporting National Initiatives, members attend NCNW national training sessions and participate in monthly Good Health WINs Community of Practice meetings, which provides opportunities to learn from health experts and partner organizations, including Divine Nine members.

Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune founded Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute in 1904, which later became Bethune-Cookman College and now Bethune-Cookman University. In the words of Dr. Bethune, "Enter to Learn; Depart to Serve."

The Metropolitan Dade County Section of National Council of Negro Women work reflects a sustained commitment to empowering individuals, strengthening families, developing future leaders, and advancing the mission and legacy of NCNW.

Mission

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an "organization of organizations" comprising 330 campus and community-based sections and 38 national women's organizations that enlightens, inspires, and connects 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. Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, an influential educator and activist, founded it on December 5, 1935, and more than fifty years later, the iconic Dr. Dorothy Height served as president of NCNW.

Today, NCNW programs are grounded in critical concerns now known as "NCNW Priorities". Our organization promotes education; encourages entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and economic stability; educates women about health and promotes healthcare access; and promotes civic engagement and advocates for sound public policy and social justice.

The National Council of Negro Women's four programs are economic empowerment and entrepreneurship, social justice, healthy equity, and S.T.E.A.M. and education.

A key part of the NCNW mission is empowering women of African descent, their families, and communities. We do this by sharing information designed to help women and their families achieve their economic and financial aspirations.

The National NCNW Economic and Entrepreneurship Committee focuses on access to affordable housing and financial.

The National NCNW Social Justice Committee's mission is to provide a framework for local sections to promote civic engagement in our communities and advance public policy that improves the conditions of women and families of African descent.

The National NCNW Health Equity Committee focuses on six health targets: Affordable Health Care, Breast Cancer, COVID-19, Mental Health, and HIV/AIDS. This committee works closely with the Good Health WINs initiative.

NCNW seeks to establish a more comprehensive, integrated response to the need for science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics education for communities of color. Recognizing that familiarity with S.T.E.A.M. enhances economic stability and career opportunities, NCNW believes it is important to cooperatively plan and implement measures that increase awareness of S.T.E.A.M. careers and expand access to paths to those careers. NCNW has established partnerships with a variety of organizations committed to promoting interest in S.T.E.A.M., access to S.T.E.A.M. education, awareness of careers in technology, and equal opportunity in education, employment, and business formation.

For more information, please visit www.ncnw.org or NCNW's social channels via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or LinkedIn.