Hampton, Va. (February 28, 2023) – The newly formed Hampton University National Center for Black Family Life is designed to build Black families in our communities through innovative research, educational programming, and a wide range of support services. Hampton University has received a $1 million, three-year grant from Communio to support these goals.
“We are excited about this unique opportunity to advance our mission-driven work with Black families in the community. We believe that with this support from Communio, the National Center for Black Family Life is poised to make a powerful and positive impact in our community that will, in turn, support the development of Black families across this nation,” says Dr. Linda Malone-Colon, dean of the School of Liberal Arts and Education, primary investigator (PI), and executive director of the Center.
The Hampton University National Center for Black Family Life is rooted in research and programmatic initiatives developed over decades. One example is the Annual Conference on the Black Family, an annual event sponsored by the University that highlights the strengths and challenges of Black families across our country.
Hampton University’s National Center for Black Family Life will pursue its mission through strategic partnerships with churches and schools and with a commitment to highlighting the cultural attributes of Black families. The Center has five core components and objectives: 1) Family Ministry Support for Black Churches, 2) Research, 3) Mental Health Services, 4) Family Studies, and 5) the Annual Conference on the Black Family.
“Black families today face many challenges, including financial stress, under-employment, physical and mental health, and quality of life,” said Communio Principal J.P. De Gance. “Communio’s mission is to equip the church to renew and strengthen the family, and we are thrilled to partner with Hampton to support black churches to renew and strengthen the black family.”
“Communio hopes to forge a long-term relationship with Hampton University where we can share what our staff and churches are learning and experiencing,” said De Gance. Communio is a non-profit ministry that consults directly with pastors and equips churches to renew and strengthen the family.
Malone-Colon stated, “We are delighted to have Communio as a partner in this work. We believe that working collaboratively (through churches and schools) to improve the lives of Black families in culturally constructive ways is both sustainable and edifying for our communities.
About Communio
Communio is a nonprofit that consults with churches equipping them with proven strategies and technologies to solve our nation’s family and faith crisis.
For more information, visit: https://communio.org/