the national Association of Black Counselors

Welcome

NABC is committed to supporting Black counselors across all professional settings. Our mission is to advance culturally grounded counseling practices, strengthen public confidence in our profession, and advocate for the well-being of Black individuals, families, and communities.

Advocacy and Legislative Committee

Advocacy & Legislation Committee serves as a cornerstone of the National Association of Black Counselors, committed to shaping policy and supporting the Black counseling profession and the community's mental health needs.

We are committed to improving the mental and behavioral health of Black communities by serving as a key voice in shaping policy, supporting legislative initiatives, and advocating for equitable access to quality care, funding, and reforms that address disparities and the specific needs of Black individuals and families.

Our goal is to create opportunities where Black counselors and the communities they serve have full access to culturally responsive, high-quality mental and behavioral health care. By fostering collaboration and amplifying the voices of Black mental health professionals, we strive to build a stronger, more informed, and resilient future for the counseling field and for all those affected by mental health disparities.Advocacy in Action Team

What We Stand For

• Equity and Access: Promoting fair, inclusive, and affordable mental health care across the Black community.

• Cultural Awareness: Advancing culturally grounded and responsive counseling practices.

• Anti-Stigma: Reducing barriers that prevent individuals from seeking mental health support.

• Inclusion and Representation: Expanding the presence of Black professionals across the counseling field.

• Social Justice: Addressing the structural causes of mental health disparities.

• Policy Leadership: Influencing laws and regulations that protect Black counselors and clients.

Advocacy in Action Team

The Advocacy in Action Team is structured with specialized task forces dedicated to supporting the mission and vision of the NABC Advocacy & Legislation Branch. Each task force has a defined role, aimed at advancing NABC’s Advocacy and Legislative Priorities.

Task force titles and their primary duties. Your voice and participation are needed:

Policy Analysis Taskforce

• Monitors and analyzes current and proposed legislation affecting Black mental and behavioral health.
• Develops policy briefs and recommendations for the organization.
• Identifies opportunities for policy reform aligned with the NABC’s mission.

Legislative Action Taskforce

• Engages with legislators, government agencies, and regulatory bodies to advocate for NABC’s legislative priorities.
• Coordinates grassroots lobbying efforts and organizes advocacy days.
• Tracks legislative progress and prepares action alerts for members.

Community Engagement Taskforce

• Builds partnerships with local organizations, schools, and coalitions serving Black communities.
• Facilitates forums, town halls, and listening sessions to gather community input on mental health needs.
• Promotes culturally responsive care initiatives and educational outreach.

Research & Data Taskforce

• Collects and analyzes data on mental and behavioral health disparities affecting Black counselors, individuals, and families.
• Evaluates the impact of advocacy efforts and legislative changes affecting Black counselors, individuals, and families.
• Publishes reports to inform advocacy strategies and policy proposals.

Communications & Media Taskforce

• Develops messaging to amplify the voices of Black counselors and communities.
• Manages media relations, press releases, and social media campaigns.
• Disseminates updates on legislative priorities and advocacy successes.

Equity & Justice Taskforce

• Identifies and addresses discriminatory practices in mental health care and education impacting Black communities.
• Advocates for reforms to eliminate barriers to access and advancement for Black counselors and justice-involved populations.
• Monitors compliance with equity-focused policies and initiatives.

Together, these task forces ensure the Advocacy Action Team is equipped to support legislative initiatives specific to Black counselors and the mental health needs of Black communities.

Get Involved

Members who are passionate about policy, equity, and community empowerment are encouraged to join us.

Contact the Advocacy and Legislative Committee:
advocacyandlegistative@nabcounselors.org