The Pathway Toward Healthier African-American Women

Some of the women in the program engaged in physical activity together.

It took a lifetime of observing the women in her community to realize that there was a life pattern. For Cynthia James had observed just how many African-American women lived through a cycle of abuse, obesity, poor health, and low self esteem, all leading to poor life outcomes. The question became how to overcome that struggle.



Along with Beth Oden, Ms. James developed the answer in THE EXTRAORDINARY LIVING PROJECT. Starting in Denver, a group of women were chosen to participate in a ten-week intensive course, which included fitness, nutrition, cooking and emotional healing instruction, followed by personal coaching to help maintain their progress.

The participants were divided into groups of twelve and utilized the well-recognized "Freedom Circle" approach of instruction by both a nationally recognized fitness coach, along with a certified nutritionist. Ms. James, along with a Freedom Coach, helped the women work through their emotional barriers. Through this multi-faceted approach, the idea was to empower women to help themselves, their families, and their communities. And Denver was planned as just the start.

These women participants are becoming empowered to help themselves and their families.

Ms. James explained, "We aim to put Extraordinary Living Projects in every major city in America and help African-American women free their untapped potential, and live healthier, longer, more enriched lives."

Since 2014, The Extraordinary Living Project has been a part of the Clinton Health Matters Initiative (CHMI). Since CHMI actively works to reduce disparities in health care, this project was a natural choice because of its focus on urban African-American women. After the original 12 women completed the program, a second group of 12 women has also completed it. Eventually, the plan is for the program to serve 300 African-American women from the Greater Denver area.

One of the major reasons why it has been so important to develop holistic programs for African-American women.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/cynthia-james-the-extraordinary-living-project/; this article from Extraordinary Living Project: http://extraordinarylivingproject.org/chmi-commitment/; and the above link.

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