The Story of Charlotte Healthcare Coalition

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

Our journey

15 Years of Fighting for Healthcare Access

2009
Founded by community health advocates in Charlotte, NC.
2012
Launched first community health education program.
2015
Expanded to serve 1,000+ families annually.
2018
Opened first community health resource center.
2020
Pivoted to telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2023
Achieved the 5,000+ families served milestone.
Today
Growing and serving more communities than ever.

Timeline

From Seven Allies to a Statewide Voice

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 2010
Historic Healthcare March
CHCC organized a major healthcare march in Charlotte that 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 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.

Historical leadership

The Leaders Who Helped Build the Movement

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Historical photograph of Carla D. Cunningham.

Carla D. Cunningham

Co-Chair and Strategist