September 2025 registrations soon... H.E.A.R.T. and Respectful Maternity Care Simulator in NC and GA

Families and communities are equipped with knowledge, skills and resources to collaboratively and intentionally cultivate sustainable pathways to holistic wellness. 

To eliminate inequities, eradicate disparities and obliterate injustices for families and communities through community engagement, research, advocacy, facilitation and training.

In 2014, Natasha Worthy and Danette McLaurin Glass, while attending a federal conference in Washington, DC asked themselves, "Why are our families and communities still suffering? Why is there so much pain in families? What are the contributing factors to the despair, hopelessness and anguish that plague Black families and communities?"  

As the climate for Blacks in America intensified with violence, blatant discrimination, chronic health disparities and overt injustices, the informal conversations among family, friends and colleagues became more intentional.

In 2017, after a tremendous "cry in the community" as a result of several events that rocked our nation to its core, the conversations escalated to a "Call to Action."  On July 3, 2017, we met with Dr. Camara Jones, Past National President of the American Public Health Association, author, sought after speaker and distinguished professor.  After presenting a blueprint of our framework for The Center For Family and Community Wellness (CFCW/The Well), we received further confirmation validating our core belief:  

Wellness: Is Relevant and Necessary. “Well Individuals” develop “Well Families” and contribute to “Well Communities” (C) 

From July 2017 through November 2018,  Danette McLaurin Glass and her mother, Mrs. Bettye McConnaughey McLaurin began traveling the southeastern United States (AL, DC, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN, VA) conducting interviews and focus groups with hundreds of individuals representing all aspects of American society.  In November, 2018 eighteen months after developing the framework CFCW/The Well  was formed. On January 20, 2019, the Center's officers were installed in a ceremony at the Georgia Tech Hotel and Conference Center in Atlanta, GA. The Advisory Council was also instated at that time. 

In the years since the Center's 2019 inauguration, CFCW has provided innumerous opportunities for community engagement, research, advocacy, facilitation and training to address the root causes of the disparities and inequities that impact individuals, families and community wellness.  Several innovative initiatives have been developed and sponsored with strategies to reduce disparities, promote wellness, and to enhance quality of life. 

The Center for Family and Community Wellness' primary objectives are to empower families and communities with knowledge and tools to strengthen autonomy and self-sufficiency; to increase advocacy skills in health, justice, education, and labor environments; and to inform and influence policy for effective prevention and intervention practices for healthy individuals, families and communities.