Running Head: ADVOCACY

Advocacy for Diverse Clientele
Capella University

Dealing with the everyday hustle and bustle that life throws at them. African-American women continue to rise above and stand out while doing so. They have been labeled as different, from their parenting style down to their style of dress. These women have also been ridiculed, labeled in a negative manner, and even mistreated. For example, they have earned lower wages than African-American males and whites. On the other hand, they have also been viewed as strong willed individuals. For examples, they have headed more than forty percent of their families while managing careers, and raising children. African-American females are heterogeneous in terms …show more content…

369).
Community strategies for working with African American females include spiritual beliefs. Spiritual beliefs are important to many African Americans and serve as a protective factor in response to stressors. If a client is heavily involved in church activities or has strong religious beliefs, the counselor might consider enlisting church leaders to help the client (or family) deal with social and economic stressors or conflicts involving the family, school, or community. Church personnel often have enhanced understanding of the family dynamics and living conditions of parishioners (Sue & Sue, 2013, p. 370).
COMMUNITY RESOURCES
There are several community resources currently available for African American women to assist them with everyday living and concerns that may be taking place in their life. One community resource is Black Mental Health Alliance (BMHA). BMHA is a private non-profit 501(C) 3 organization which provides training, consultation, support groups, resource referral, public information, and educational resources regarding mental health and mental illness issues. Additional information can be located at http://www.blackmentalhealth.com/. The National Leadership Council (NLC) is comprised of individuals who share an interest in promoting the strengths & health of African American children, families, and communities. The group represents an array of perspectives including consumers & family members, education, human resource