About us
Who We Are
Inspired by the legacy of Dr. Dorothy I. Height, Chair Emerita, National Council of Negro Women, Barbara A. Perkins and Ka Flewellen both made a decision to become advocates for Black women around the world and thus founded the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute.
These women separately traveled with Dr. Height, Mrs. Perkins, in 1995 as a member of the NCNW delegation to the Beijing Conference on Women, and Ms. Flewellen in 1994 a member of the delegation to Cairo for the Conference on Population and Development. The women gained experiences that would become the foundation for IBWPPI.
Co-Founder IBWPPI, Strategic Development Specialist
Barbara Perkins says, “The magic and beauty of working with women representing so many countries at the 4th World Conference on Women, in Beijing China, remains among the most memorable times in my life.” IBWPPI seeks to capture the same spirit of unity and connectivity as was present in Beijing. It was at this conference that the words of Dr. Height became an integral part of Barbara’s mission to always to seek ways to “lift women while climbing.” Dr. Height.
Reflecting on her life’s work, Ka Flewellen shared working shoulder to shoulder with international women in Cairo to change the US and international immigration policies to protect women moving and often fleeing across borders as migrants, workers, political and economic refugees or victims of disasters remain core to my commitment to social justice today. “We believe that everything we do locally, has an impact on our global vision.”
About the International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute
The International Black Women’s Public Policy Institute (IBWPPI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization led by a collective of intergenerational women leaders representing the interests of Black women throughout the African diaspora.
IBWPPI currently has representation in the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Ghana, Haiti, South Africa, Guyana, Nigeria, and the United States. Every two years, the Institute expands its global footprint by convening in a different country, deepening partnerships, and broadening its international reach.
IBWPPI Vision and Mission
Our Vision is to connect and advocate for Black women globally through acts of kindness and public policy. Our Mission is to work in the US and internationally to convene hearings and discussions to evaluate the impact of current public policies and to initiate new policies that address the major threats to the well-being of Black women and our families.
IBWPPI Values
- The idea that networks of women can change public policy
- A pipeline of women ready to serve in all levels of public policy-making
- New patterns of global citizen participation
- Global dialogue and mobilization between Black women as the catalyst for social change
- Initiatives that work to cure HIV/AIDS and other forms of deadly viruses such as Covid-19
IBWPPI Focuses On: The Five Pillars of Our Work
- Health and Wellness
- Education
- Economic Security
- Eradication of Human Sex Trafficking
- Violence Against Women
Our focus
- Setting an annual public policy agenda that reflects the best interests of Black women globally
- Eradication of modern-day slavery also referred to as human trafficking
- Placing women as interns in government and policy institutions, nonprofit agencies, and community-based organizations where they will learn and gain experiences that will prepare them for becoming effective international advocates
- The support of women’s health, well-being, education, safety and economic development
- Major awareness campaigns that center on critical issues impacting women’s lives
Our Mission
To work in the United States and internationally to convene hearings and discussions that evaluate the impact of current public policies and to initiate new policies that address major threats to the well-being of Black women and our families.
IBWPPI serves as both a convener and policy influencer. We facilitate strategic partnerships with organizations that provide critical support programs for Black women and girls nationally and internationally.
Our Vision
To connect and advocate for Black women and girls globally through acts of kindness and public policy that are simple, yet bold and compelling.
Our Policies
We are conveners and policy influencers who develop and implement initiatives that focus on five main pillars:
education
IBWPPI has established a Reading Room Initiative in each country where IBWPPI convenes.
Health & wellness
We have partnered with the Haiti Water Project to supply wells and cisterns throughout the country.
Violence Against Women
IBWPPI works to reduce all forms of gender-based violence, primarily focusing on violence within intimate relationships.
Economic Security
We track and support both state and federal legislation in this area and we have been strong supporters of President Obama’s initiatives and legislation in this arena.
The Eradication of Human Trafficking
We track and support legislation aimed at the elimination of human trafficking.
Through advocacy, collaboration, and bold leadership, IBWPPI continues to elevate the voices of Black women globally while advancing policies that strengthen families and communities.
We are conveners and policy influencers, who develop and implement initiatives that focus on five main pillars – Violence Against Women, Education, Health and Wellness, Economic Security and the Eradication of Human Sex Trafficking.
IBWPPI Values
- The idea that networks of women can change public policy
- A pipeline of women ready to serve in all levels of public policy-making
- New patterns of global citizen participation
- Global dialogue and mobilization between Black women as the catalyst for social change
- Initiatives that work to cure HIV/AIDS and other forms of deadly viruses such as Covid-19
Our focus
- Setting an annual public policy agenda that reflects the best interests of Black women globally
- Eradication of modern-day slavery also referred to as human trafficking
- Placing women as interns in government and policy institutions, nonprofit agencies, and community-based organizations where they will learn and gain experiences that will prepare them for becoming effective international advocates
- The support of women’s health, well-being, education, safety and economic development
- Major awareness campaigns that center on critical issues impacting women’s lives
IBWPPI Values
- The idea that networks of women can change public policy
- A pipeline of women ready to serve in all levels of public policy-making
- New patterns of global citizen participation
- Global dialogue and mobilization between Black women as the catalyst for social change
- Initiatives that work to cure HIV/AIDS and other forms of deadly viruses such as Covid-19
IBWPPI Focuses On: The Five Pillars of Our Work
- Education
- Health and Wellness
- Violence Against Women
- Economic Security
- Eradication of Human Sex Trafficking
Our focus
- Setting an annual public policy agenda that reflects the best interests of Black women globally
- Eradication of modern-day slavery also referred to as human trafficking
- Placing women as interns in government and policy institutions, nonprofit agencies, and community-based organizations where they will learn and gain experiences that will prepare them for becoming effective international advocates
- The support of women’s health, well-being, education, safety and economic development
- Major awareness campaigns that center on critical issues impacting women’s lives
girls adopted by Barbara
President Perkins commits to two girls’ support for school, uniforms, meals, books.
