MADISON, Wis.— A first-of-its-kind health center for one underrepresented population is celebrating its first anniversary.

The Foundation for Black Women's Wellness’s founder Lisa Peyton-Caire says the goal of the novel non-profit is critical. It gives women a chance to learn new health behaviors, take special classes, and undergo important health screenings. 

"The average [age of] death of a Black woman in Dane County is 60 years old and that is up from 59 several years ago… that should alarm anyone and it certainly spurred us into action," Peyton-Caire said.

And while most of their work is done online through virtual channels due to the pandemic, they believe they can still make a difference.

"To do something really powerful and that was to pivot. And to think about all the ways that we could still be committed to our mission," Peyton-Caire said. "We are definitely a well over 1000 Zooms, probably, 1000s of hours of airtime. And, of course, 1000s of women which makes us most happy."

Meanwhile, Peyton-Caire's organization continues its work to create policy change, supporting Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers Badger Bounce Back budget plans.

"With some very specific earmarks for Black women health to address our first and worst in the nation Black infant mortality rates and our very concerning five times greater maternal mortality rates for Black women. There's also a proposal to expand Medicaid so that everyone has access to affordable care that they need when they need it," she said.

Peyton-Caire says her non-profit is planning a special future event, soon.

"We are about to launch the Well Black Woman Institute, which we're planning as a health equity training grounds across Wisconsin in 2022. And we're mapping out a policy blueprint for Black women's health for Wisconsin," she said.

You can learn more about the organization in a multi-page cover story in the Mayo Clinic's report on race and health, here.