The African-American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) Forum will take place at the University of Illinois at Chicago on May 14th & 15th in Chicago, IL. It will consist of a two-day forum starting on Friday evening, May 14, 2004 at 5:30pm and continue on Saturday, May 15, 2004, 7:30am-5:00pm.

Representatives from national organizations including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Opportunities Industrialization Centers of America (OIC), the Center for New Black Leadership (CNBL), and the National Fatherhood Initiative (NFI) have joined in partnership with the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), Department of Health and Human Services and other national and local community organizations, in proposing a strategy aimed at increasing child well-being and strengthening families by promoting healthy marriage.

At a recent AAHMI National Roundtable held in August 2003, various discussions emphasized the importance of engaging African American faith-based, civic and community organizations as integral partners in this initiative. These organizations can send a strong message that Marriage matters through promoting positive family images and establishing marriage education services within the African American community.

This forum will provide a special venue for creative input and discussion of the AAHMI as it relates to the leadership role that faith-based, civic and community organizations have in the African-American community. The forum will include a mix of education/informational workshops, theater, music, networking and opportunities for discussion in open sessions about issues facing African American families today. It is designed to educate and inform a wide spectrum of participants on the current research, best practices, and funding opportunities and how to effectively incorporate marriage education into the very valuable services that faith-based, civic and community organizations provide to the African America population.

If you have any questions in regards to the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative Forum, please contact Larry Robertson at OICA-1.800.621.4642 extension 243.