Every now and then, you have a conversation that stays with you long after it ends. That’s exactly how I felt after sitting down with Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, the powerhouse President and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW).
If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to lead with faith and fight for justice, Bradley is the blueprint. She’s equal parts strategist, advocate, and community builder. Recently, I got the chance to sit down with Bradley, whose energy, belief, and clarity left me not just impressed but fired up to do more for Black maternal health.
Who Is Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley?
She’s the President and CEO of NCNW, an organization with a nearly 90-year legacy founded by Mary McLeod Bethune. But don’t think “legacy” means dusty archives under Bradley’s leadership, NCNW is alive, evolving, and relevant.
Her leadership shows up in:
- Leading one of the largest national organizations focused on Black women and families.
- Campaigning for policy change around economic justice, civic engagement, and health equity.
- Grounding all of it in her faith, which she credits as the source of her strength and fire.
- Mentoring and inspiring the next generation of leaders, making sure young women know they have a seat at the table.
ATLANTA, GEORGIA – JANUARY 15: Keynote speaker Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, President & CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, speaks onstage during the 2024 Martin Luther King, Jr. Beloved Community Commemorative Service at Ebenezer Baptist Church on January 15, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. The annual service is held in honor of the life of civil rights icon Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. who would have turn 95 on January 15th. (Photo by Paras Griffin/Getty Images)
What She Shared in Our Interview
What struck me most in my conversation with Bradley was the way she weaves faith, legacy, joy, and community into a vision for leadership that feels both timeless and urgent. For her, faith and experience aren’t just a private matter; they fuel the fight for justice and ground her activism in hope and resilience. She honors the vision of NCNW founder McLeod Bethune, but insists that legacy means movement, and that the organization must continually evolve to meet today’s challenges. That evolution, she believes, should be rooted in joy as much as justice; advocacy doesn’t have to mean burnout, it can be sustained by joy, community, and love for the work.
Bradley also makes it clear that Black women’s voices are not only vital but must be centered in policy and practice, especially at a time when erasure is so real. She envisions NCNW not as an exclusive club for one generation, but as a place of collective belonging, welcoming girls as young as nine, elders nearing a century, and members across campuses and communities nationwide. And perhaps most importantly, she is not waiting for crises to arise. Instead, she is building programs, leadership pipelines, financial literacy initiatives, and economic justice campaigns that equip people to thrive proactively. Through it all, her message is consistent: activism can be joyful, anchored in faith, and grounded in community.
Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president and CEO of the National Council of Negro Women, speaking at an event. Credit: Courtesy Dr. Shavon Arline-Bradley
Why This Conversation Matters Right Now
October reminds us of the fragility and importance of health for our children and mothers. It’s Children’s Health Month and National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. Both themes couldn’t be more connected to what Bradley spoke about: centering women, children, and families in every conversation about Black maternal health and justice.
She pushes for systems that see and support families: better access to healthcare, stronger safety nets, and a recognition that women’s and children’s health are non-negotiable cornerstones of justice.
When we talk about honoring those we’ve lost and protecting the next generation, Dr. Bradley’s work is living proof that advocacy is one of the best ways to do both.
Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley, president of the National Council of Negro Woman and CEO of R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions (left) and Andrea Joy Campbell, Massachusetts Attorney General (right) on a panel discussing critical issues affecting Black women at the Power Rising conference in Philadelphia on February 9, 2024. (Kimberly Paynter/WHYY)
Final Reflection
If this interview teaches anything, it’s that leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about showing up, speaking out, and lifting others. Because this month isn’t just about awareness, it’s about action. And if there’s one thing Bradley makes clear, it’s that action is our responsibility, our legacy, and our gift to the next generation to support Black maternal health.
Here’s to continuing that momentum, carrying the torch, building the tables, inviting in those who’ve been waiting for a seat, and making our “dash” (as Bradley might say) count!
Laura Coleman is the Advocacy Media Relations Manager for Voices for Healthy Kids, an initiative of the American Heart Association, and the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers (NCIT). She leads media strategy across campaigns nationwide and helps equip Voices for Healthy Kids grantees and NCIT members with the skills they need to build strong, strategic relationships with reporters to advance public policy. Laura holds an M.S. in Strategic Communication from Louisiana State University and a B.S. in Mass Communication from Jackson State University. Off the clock, she’s with family, friends, and her fur baby, Eve.
