About Charlotte Healthcare Coalition

A Black women-led grassroots healthcare movement founded in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Who we are

Advocating for Health, Dignity, and Quality of Life

Charlotte Healthcare Coalition, Inc. (CHCC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in North Carolina and authorized by the IRS to accept tax-deductible donations. EIN: 93-4902706.

We are a Black women-led grassroots healthcare movement founded in Charlotte, North Carolina, bringing together community members to advance healthcare access, education, and advocacy for all.

Three CHCC community members standing together in a Charlotte shopping-center parking lot on a sunny day, one holding a clipboard, with a church steeple in the background. — CHCC organizers out in the community in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Our story

From Seven Allies to a Statewide Voice

Charlotte Healthcare Coalition began after a highly emotional healthcare meeting in Charlotte attracted approximately 400 people. Following the meeting, seven local residents gathered at a restaurant to continue the conversation.

Although they came from different backgrounds and did not previously know one another, they agreed to create a new community-led movement supporting healthcare access.

“Everyone In, Nobody Out.”

Our mission

Why CHCC Exists

Charlotte Healthcare Coalition, Inc. (CHCC) is an organization that advocates for quality-of-life health and takes action on behalf of all its members through communities of opportunity. This includes physical, mental, nutritional, and caregiving needs, while it provides accessible, compassionate information via innovative technology to raise public awareness of systemic barriers to healthcare access.

Charlotte Healthcare Coalition, Inc. (CHCC) is committed to bridging the healthcare information gap through legislative advocacy, civic engagement, and cultural healing techniques led by elders and practiced across cultural groups in their healing journey. CHCC will advocate for the integration of selected techniques into our medical schools' curriculum and the corporate healthcare system.

Vision statement

Where We Are Headed

We envision communities where every individual has access to understandable healthcare information, compassionate support, preventive resources, healthy food, physical wellness, mental-health services, and a meaningful voice in healthcare decisions.

Core values

The Values That Guide Our Work

Access

Healthcare information and support should be understandable and accessible.

Compassion

Every person deserves dignity, respect, patience, and care.

Community

The people most affected by healthcare barriers should help shape the solutions.

Advocacy

Systems improve when communities organize, speak up, and participate.

Education

Clear information empowers people to make stronger decisions about their health.

Innovation

Technology can help families access information, resources, and support more efficiently.

Our history

Our History & Community Impact

2009
The Beginning
Charlotte Healthcare Coalition began after a highly emotional healthcare meeting in Charlotte attracted approximately 400 people. Following the meeting, seven local residents gathered at a restaurant to continue the conversation.
Although they came from different backgrounds and did not previously know one another, they agreed to create a new community-led movement supporting healthcare access.
“Everyone In, Nobody Out.”
2009
Organizing the Coalition
CHCC began meeting weekly and brought together healthcare workers, nurses, students, labor leaders, educators, veterans, civil-rights advocates, business owners, political organizers, faith leaders, firefighters, university professors, formerly incarcerated residents, and other community members.
The coalition included people with different ideologies, experiences, and organizing styles. Despite disagreements, they remained connected by the belief that healthcare reform required strong community action.
2009–2010
A Movement Without a Permanent Home
During its earliest years, CHCC did not have a permanent office or meeting space. Members gathered in church basements and community spaces throughout Charlotte.
Churches that helped provide meeting locations included:
- St. Paul Baptist Church
- The House of Prayer on Beatties Ford Road
- Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church
- Mt. Zion Baptist Church on West Boulevard
Carla D. Cunningham's community relationships and church outreach leadership helped the organization continue finding places to meet and organize.
2010
Community Healthcare Seminar
CHCC organized a major healthcare seminar at Mt. Zion Baptist Church on West Boulevard. More than 350 people attended the event during a tense political environment surrounding national healthcare reform.
The event brought healthcare advocates, community members, labor organizations, faith leaders, and public-policy voices together to discuss healthcare access and reform.
CHCC received the “Spotlight on Courage Award” at the 2010 Black Political Caucus of Charlotte-Mecklenburg Annual Banquet.Photo by Fran Farrer, The County News
March 20, 2010
Historic Healthcare March
CHCC organized a major healthcare march rally on Saturday, March 20, 2010 in Charlotte. The event attracted more than 650 participants. Community leaders, healthcare advocates, union members, faith leaders, nurses, civil-rights organizations, and residents joined together to demand improved healthcare access.
The event included leaders and representatives connected with organizations such as:
- North Carolina NAACP
- Charlotte NAACP
- AFL-CIO
- Teamsters
- U.S. Postal Workers
- SEANC
- ACORN
- Charlotte-area churches and community organizations
Community members march for healthcare reform in uptown Charlotte, March 20, 2010.
Today
Continuing the Mission
Healthcare has changed significantly since CHCC was formed in 2009. Today, the organization's work includes healthcare navigation, mental-health information, healthy-food education, physical wellness, preventive care, cultural healing, technology, civic engagement, and public-policy advocacy.
CHCC continues working to give underserved communities clear information, stronger resources, and a voice in decisions that affect their health and quality of life.