The mission of the African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) is to promote and strengthen the institution of healthy marriage in the African American community.

The Administration for Children and Families has partnered with national, civic and community organizations to develop a strategy directed toward increasing child well-being and strengthening families by promoting healthy marriages .

AAHMI Executive Leadership

The AAHMI Executive Leadership is comprised of key leaders from Administration for Children and Families (ACF) and Health and Human Services (HHS). They each have played a pivotal role in developing the vision of AAHMI.

Our Executive Team consists of Diann Dawson, Director, Office of Regional Operations for ACF/HHS; Joyce Thomas, Regional Administrator for ACF Region II, New York; Leon R. McCowan, Regional Administrator for ACF Region VI, Dallas; and Carlis Williams, Regional Administrator for ACF Region IV, Atlanta.

Ms. Carmen Nazario is the Assistant Secretary for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families.

View Executive Leadership bios

The Conveners

Our conveners were a major partner in our AAHMI Roundtable held in August 2003. During Roundtable discussions, conveners and senior government officials charged participants to break new ground by formulating ideas to assist African Americans who choose marriage for themselves, to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain healthy marriages. This productive dialog helped formulate the strategies behind the regional forums. View the biographies of our conveners and partners.

The Partners

During the 2003 AAHMI National Roundtable various discussions emphasized the importance of engaging African American faith-based, civic and community organizations as integral partners in this initiative. These organizations can send a strong message that marriage matters through promoting positive family images and establishing marriage education services within the African American community. View a list of our civic and corporate partners and information on how to contact their organizations.

Why Marriage Matters

What do we know about the importance of marriage for children, for adults and for society? One thing we have learned is that there has been a sharp increase over the last two generations in the proportion of American children who do not live with their own two married parents. A vigorous public debate sparked by the changes in family structure has generated a growing body of social science literature on the consequences of family fragmentation. This report is an attempt to summarize this large body of scientific research into succinct form useful to Americans on all sides of ongoing debates – to report what we know about the importance of marriage in our family and social system. View the report in its entirety.

Healthy Marriage Matters

ACF's initiative for a healthy marriage is about helping couples that have already chosen marriage for themselves. Our goal is for them to gain greater access through marriage education services, on a voluntary basis, where they can acquire the skills and knowledge necessary to form and sustain a healthy marriage. Find out why healthy marriage matters to ACF and to you.

AAHMI Fact Sheet

AAHMI is a component of the ACF Healthy Marriage Initiative and promotes a culturally competent strategy for fostering healthy marriage and responsible fatherhood, improving child well-being and strengthening families within the African American community. Research demonstrates the strong correlations between family structure and well-being. Find more information about why this strategy is needed for the African American community.

AAHMI Brochure

The African American Healthy Marriage Initiative (AAHMI) mission is to promote and strengthen the institution of healthy marriage in the African American community. View our brochure for more information on a healthy marriage.