African American Healthy Marriage

More than 50 cities across the U.S. celebrated Black Marriage Day in 2007. This is one of many efforts to make a positive change in our communities. There has been a decline in the number of African Americans who live in married-couple families. This decline has occurred despite a stated desire among many people to have a healthy marriage.

To support healthy marriage in the African American community, curricula have been developed that responds to the cultural needs and values of African American families. Many grassroots organizations and communities of faith have hosted marriage education workshops and celebrations to support African American marriage. The African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) was created to encourage the development of these activities, create public awareness, and support research to advance culturally appropriate program development.

The goal of the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) is to improve child well-being and strengthen African American families. To date, the AAHMI has hosted more than 14 academies, conferences and forums to encourage healthy marriage activities in the African American community. Visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/aa_hmi/AAHMI.html or http://www.aahmi.net/

to learn more about the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative.

Additional Resources

Effective Marketing Messages for African American Couples (PDF - 811 KB) National Healthy Marriage Resource Center -- This Tip Sheet highlights tactics you can use to effectively market your program to African American couples, including demographic subpopulations and communication methods.
Baby Fathers and American Family Formation Ronald B. Mincy & Hillard Pouncy -- Current and relevant trends of fatherhood.
Responding to the Black Marriage Crisis: A New Vision for Change Linda Malone-Colon -- 5 Ways to bring about change.
Turning the Corner on Father Absence on Black America Clayton, Mincy, Blackenhorn -- Why fathers matter.
Black Fathers in Contemporary American Society: Strengths, Weaknesses, and Strategies for Change -- Strategies for change.
The Benefits of Marriage for African American Men (PDF - 359 KB) Claudia Sitgraves -- Research and strategies to improve the well-being of African American men.
Proceedings from the 2007 African American Healthy Marriage Initiative Conference "Healthy People, Healthy Families: Connecting Marriage"