At the Southern Rural Black Women’s Initiative (SRBWI), we believe that the women most affected by systemic injustices are the true experts in identifying challenges and solutions. Our Community-Based Participatory Research (CPR) program ensures that Black women in the rural South lead the research that directly impacts their lives and communities.

Our participatory research model emerged from SRBWI’s early work documenting the realities of Black women in the Mississippi Delta and the Black Belt of Alabama and Georgia. Recognizing the power of community-led research, we expanded our efforts in partnership with Human Rights Watch to train Black women as researchers and advocates. This approach was central to our work examining barriers to cervical cancer prevention, treatment, and care in rural Georgia and, most recently, in the Mississippi Delta.

Why Participatory Research Matters

Traditional research often excludes the voices of those most impacted, leaving communities without tools for action. Our action-oriented approach flips this dynamic—CPR (also know as Participatory Action Research – PAR) is research for change, designed to equip communities with the knowledge and advocacy skills needed to push for solutions. In Georgia and Mississippi, community-based researchers documented systemic healthcare barriers through firsthand interviews, revealing critical gaps in access to lifesaving care.

Through SRBWI’s Community-Based Participatory Research Program, we are not just producing reports—we are building movements. Our researchers are equipped to influence policy, engage stakeholders, and advocate for systemic change—ensuring that Black women in the rural South have a seat at the table in shaping the decisions that affect their lives.

To learn more about why investing in participatory research is essential for systemic change, read https://philanthropynewsdigest.org/features/commentary-and-opinion/the-case-for-funding-community-based-participatory-research

Join Us in This Work

SRBWI is committed to expanding our CPR efforts, training more women, and applying this model to address a range of urgent issues. For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, contact Sarah Bobrow-Williams, SRBWI Program Director for Participatory Research and Community Assets  sarah.bobrow@srbwi.org