Table 1.

Definition of a Healthy African American Family: Healthy African American Families project, Los Angeles, California

A Healthy African American Family is a unity of people of African American descent who: Bond together through love, trust, commitment and respect Are mutually concerned for each other’s welfare, preservation and development (physically, spiritually, economically, mentally, and socially) Work under a spiritual realm Provide unconditional love Have respect for one’s headship (leader/leaders) and self

The commitments of a Healthy African American Family include: Educating members of the group to operate successfully and competently in society Taking responsibility for providing a spiritual foundation and skills to overcome past oppressions Transmitting values that help the group to fully reach its collective and individual potentials and goals Promoting a positive cultural sense of self and reconnect to our powerful cultural roots and practices Instilling social skills that transmit resiliency, mutual respect and support Providing protection to insure the safety of our children and all family members