ENGLEWOOD—The women of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW), Bergen/Passaic chapter, are making a lasting and so-laudable impact on their community.
Since its founding in 1986, the chapter has been a leader in advocating for health equity, education, and economic empowerment for Black women and girls. Through initiatives like voter registration drives, public health campaigns, and mentoring programs such as Project 99, NCBW has influenced countless lives across the region.
With their recent Go Red Heart Healthy event, held Feb. 7 in collaboration with Englewood Health’s Shirvan Family Live Well Center, the chapter brought critical attention to heart health, particularly in underserved communities. The Shirvan Family Live Well Center was a fitting setting for the event, as a staple in downtown Englewood that helps community members lead their healthiest lives through free education, hands-on classes, and workshops.
This 16th annual event, “Heart to Heart: Empowering Our Community to Fight Cardiovascular Disease,” featured a dynamic panel discussion, hands-on activities, and expert advice, making it a standout moment in the chapter’s long tradition of advocacy.
While February’s Heart Month brought awareness to cardiovascular health, NCBW Bergen/Passaic is keeping the momentum alive with its upcoming Annual Gala, set to celebrate its broader mission of empowering Black women and girls.
The chapter kicked off the year by expanding its outreach with a Financial Literacy Workshop Series, part of its Sister-Nomic$ program. Held on Jan. 25 at the Passaic County Technical–Vocational School, the workshop offered practical advice on personal credit and finances, budgeting, saving, building healthy credit, and understanding consumer rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Presented in partnership with Bank of America, the event featured expert speakers Simone Garcon of Merrill Lynch, Edelmire Renelus of Bank of America, and Husan-Iddin Abdul-Ghani of Merrill Lynch. By providing this program at no cost, the chapter ensured accessibility to all participants, underscoring its commitment to economic empowerment in underserved communities.
The Go Red event highlighted the importance of recognizing risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and taking actionable steps to improve heart health.
NCBW President Gwenette Reese set the tone in her opening remarks: “Heart disease continues to be a leading health concern, particularly for Black women, and raising awareness is more important than ever!”
The evening featured a panel discussion and Q&A session with:
- Dr. Marcus L. Williams, a cardiologist with HVA Medical Group – Englewood Health Physician Network and former president of the New Jersey Chapter of the American Heart Association.
- Ivette Lebron, a registered dietitian at the Shirvan Family Live Well Center.
- Artisa Morris, a public advocate for heart health and current cardiac rehabilitation patient at Englewood Health.
Moderated by Judith Francis, Ed.D., the panel explored risk factors, prevention strategies, and advocacy efforts, emphasizing the disproportionate impact of heart disease on Black women. Dr. Williams urged attendees to “know your numbers” by tracking their blood pressure and identifying modifiable risk factors like diet and exercise.
Meanwhile, Morris captivated the audience with her survivor story, sharing how a triple bypass surgery saved her life after years of ignoring symptoms.
The event also featured a healthy cooking demo by Chef Anthony Vasquez and a fitness session led by Greg Gomez, both resident experts and instructors at the Shirvan Family Live Well Center, encouraging attendees to adopt healthier lifestyles. Attendees left with gift bags containing heart health information and a cookbook, equipped with knowledge and inspiration to take control of their health.
Looking Ahead: Save the Date for the NCBW Annual Gala
As the Bergen/Passaic Chapter looks forward, it invites the community to join its next major event: the Annual Gala, set for Saturday, June 7 from 7 p.m. to midnight at the Marriott Park Ridge, located at 300 Brae Boulevard, Park Ridge.
The gala is a celebration of NCBW’s mission to advocate for Black women and girls, promoting leadership development and gender equity in health, education, and economic empowerment. While February focused on heart health, the Annual Gala will highlight the chapter’s broader advocacy efforts and provide an opportunity to support its future initiatives.
For more information about the gala and NCBW’s ongoing work, visit ncbwbergenpassaic.org, email pr@ncbwbergenpassaic.org, or call 201-287-9600.
The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc. (NCBW) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1981. The Bergen/Passaic Chapter, through events like Go Red, the Financial Literacy Workshop Series, and the Annual Gala, continues to fulfill its mission of creating a brighter, healthier future for the community.