Happy Black History Month

A Message from Ayana Bradshaw, President & CEO

Black History Month offers an opportunity for all of us to pause and reflect on the many contributions Black Americans have made to our nation – past, present, and future. In public health, in particular, Black physicians, nurses, public health professionals, advocates, and community leaders have led countless innovations, transformed how care is delivered, and worked tirelessly to ensure people have access to quality services.

As the first Black President and CEO of AccessMatters, I do not take lightly the fact that I stand on the shoulders of those who came before me. Their courage, commitment, and determination opened doors and created opportunities for leaders like me to serve today. I am driven by their legacy to help remove the barriers that create divides in how people receive care, and to support communities in accessing the services and resources they seek and deserve.

At AccessMatters, we serve as a regional public health leader committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. For more than 50 years, we have partnered with healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and advocates across Pennsylvania to ensure people and families can access high-quality care throughout their lives.

I am honored to lead with the values of fairness, respect, and dignity for every person – values that Black History Month invites us to reflect on and carry forward. In the field of sexual and reproductive health, these principles guide our work every day.

I am grateful to serve alongside a team dedicated to this mission. Together, we continue the legacy of those who believed deeply in the power of care, community, and opportunity for all.

This Black History Month, we encourage our partners and supporters to learn, reflect, and recommit to the values that strengthen our communities each day.