Programs: Black Health and Prevention Training Institute (BHPTI)

The Institute funded by TCE will be called the Black Health and Prevention Training Institute (BHPTI)

The acronym A.m.A.S.S.I. stands for the African, American Advocacy, Support-Services & Survival Institute. Since its inception in 1989 the AmASSI Health & Cultural Center has quickly grown into one of the more popular and replicated organizations of its kind in the country.   Our primary point of concentration is on ending health disparities, self-concept and inter-group conflict among diverse people of African descent.   Uniquely, AmASSI combines skills building and educational programs regarding the primary and secondary prevention of HIV disease, substance abuse and various health threats, with cultural affirmation and critical thinking.   AmASSI's approach confronts many of the psycho-social, mental health, contemporary and historical factors that impact Black well-being.   Expanding on its commitment to structural, community health and systems change, AmASSI operates the Black Health and Prevention Training Institute (BHPTI).  

BHPTI provides training, technical and capacity building assistance to individuals, civic groups, and government entities, non-profit and for profit corporations and organizations.   The BHPTI mission is to improve the delivery and effectiveness of preventive health strategies, models and prevention interventions to diverse Black subpopulations.

The technology grounding BHPTI is the Critical Thinking and Cultural Affirmation (CTCA) model, developed by AmASSI CEO and founder Cleo Manago. The Critical Thinking and Cultural Affirmation (CTCA) model is a culturally informed preventive health strategy that addresses positive mental, sexual and community health, encouraging self-actualization, responsibility and healthy life practices.   CTCA contains a curriculum that illuminates and celebrates elements of Black life, community and culture, while examining both functional and dysfunctional elements of African American traditions and culture.   The CTCA strategy empowers diverse people of African decent (females, males, youth, adults, parents, juvenile and adult reentry populations; heterosexual, same-gender-loving (SGL) and bisexual; religious, spiritual and agnostic) and the institutions that serve them to develop their capacity to be health educators, leaders or social change advocates.

Through increasing health, history and cultural literacy, critical thinking and reasoning capacity CTCA can guide, transform or enhance the ability of participants to increase constructive behavior and decrease destructive behaviors.   CTCA promotes positive behavioral change, personal and community responsibility towards improving the overall state of African American health and well-being.   With CTCA the Black Health and Prevention Training Institute (BHPTI) has focused on health disparities including HIV/AIDS, substance use and mental health disorders, injury and violence prevention, implementing rites of passage and health literacy programs, weight reduction and physical fitness.

The AmASSI Health & Cultural Center's work is characterized by a strong commitment to community participation and promotion of equitable health outcomes among diverse social and economic groups.