About NCNW

Rooted in Legacy Leading with Purpose

Who We Are

National Council of Negro Women

The National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) is an “organization of organizations” dedicated to leading, advocating for, and empowering women of African descent, their families, and communities. Founded in 1935 by visionary educator and activist Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, NCNW has grown into a powerful national movement with over 350 community and campus-based sections and 37 national organizational affiliates, reaching more than 2 million women and men.

NCNW connects generations through a shared commitment to progress, justice, and community. For forty years, the late Dr. Dorothy I. Height, a towering civil rights leader, served as president—helping cement NCNW’s legacy of service and leadership across the nation.

As a trusted voice for African American women, NCNW creates space for collaboration, uplifts underserved communities, and empowers its members to be agents of change.

Learn More at NCNW.org

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Our Mission and Priorities

Leading with Purpose

Health & Wellness

We address disparities in access to care by offering health education, preventive screenings, and programs that encourage holistic wellness—especially in communities that are often overlooked by the healthcare system.

Economic Empowerment

We provide tools for financial independence by promoting entrepreneurship, wealth-building strategies, and financial literacy training. NCNW believes economic stability is a foundation for freedom and self-determination.

Education

We champion education at every stage of life—from early literacy to career development—by supporting mentoring programs, scholarships, and initiatives that help close the opportunity gap for Black youth and adults.

Social Justice and Civic Engagement

We fight injustice by raising awareness, educating our members, and organizing to change the policies that impact our lives. From voting rights to equity in housing, NCNW trains advocates who take action.

The Roselle Section

A Legacy of Service Since 1972

The Roselle Section of the National Council of Negro Women was chartered on April 20, 1972, by 50 visionary members determined to make a lasting difference in their community. For more than five decades, the Roselle Section has continued to honor that legacy—bringing NCNW’s national mission to life through local action, leadership, and service.

From our annual Harambee Brunch, where we celebrate unity and uplift one another, to the Mother’s Day Brunch, which honors outstanding community leaders, we create spaces that build pride, connection, and purpose. We foster fellowship and joy through events like the Hats Off to Dorothy Height Tea and Community Game Night—always grounded in love and legacy.

Our work centers around the core NCNW priorities of health, education, economic empowerment, and social justice, serving families across Roselle and surrounding communities. As part of a national sisterhood of 350+ sections, the Roselle Section proudly carries forward the vision of Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune—a vision rooted in service, unity, and transformative impact.

National Leadership

Meet the Women Leading NCNW Forward

Dr. A. Lois Keith – National Chair

Dr. A. Lois Keith is a Legacy Life Member and Bethune Achiever who has spent decades advancing the work of NCNW. Elected as National Vice President in 2016, she now serves as National Chair, where she oversees national initiatives, builds strategic partnerships, and strengthens the organization’s foundation. Dr. Keith’s leadership reflects a lifetime of dedication to education, public service, and advocacy for Black women and families across the country.

Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley – President & CEO

Rev. Shavon Arline-Bradley brings over 21 years of experience in healthcare, DEI, and government affairs to her role as NCNW’s President and CEO. She leads the organization’s operations, national programming, and advocacy strategy while expanding its impact across communities. As the founding principal of R.E.A.C.H. Beyond Solutions, she also works to promote equity, leadership development, and public health outcomes. Her leadership bridges faith, strategy, and action for lasting change.

Roselle Section Leadership 2024–2026

Meet the Women Leading the Work in Our Community

Delia Ware-Tibbs

President, NCNW Roselle Section

Delia Ware-Tibbs is a Legacy Life Member of the National Council of Negro Women and has been an active member of the Roselle Section since 2019. A proud graduate of Hampton University with a master’s degree from Saint Peter’s University, Delia brings decades of leadership, service, and dedication to every role she holds.

She is a Life Associate of Jack and Jill of America Inc. (Greater Union County Chapter), Board Secretary of the Girl Scouts Heart of New Jersey (GSHNJ), a member of the National Association of University Women (NAUW), Vice Chairman of the Roselle Zoning Board, and a founding member of Roselle Women on the Move.

After retiring from a 30-year career at Verizon and 29 years of service in the United States Army Reserves (LTC Ret), Delia continues to lead as a committed servant to her community—uplifting women, families, and future generations.