Who We Are
At IEBWC, we're all about creating spaces where Black women's voices are not only heard but uplifted and celebrated. We provide a collaborative platform where members can come together to share their experiences, discuss ideas, and prioritize our collective needs. Through engaging dialogue and meaningful connections, we're able to foster a sense of community and solidarity that empowers each and every one of us. Founded in 2021, our collective vision is rooted in building power and solidarity for Black women and their organizations, while also strengthening the broader Black community and expanding consciousness about the intersecting challenges we face.
MISSION
We provide a collaborative space to hear Black women’s voices, discuss ideas, and prioritize our collective needs. In addition, we provide the tools, and training for the political, economic, and social strategies designed to engage Black women in a self and communal empowerment process to remove systemic barriers to accessing justice, liberation and success.
VISION
We are a collective of Black Women whose vision is to build power and solidarity for other Black Women and their organizations, strengthen the Black community, and expand Black consciousness regarding the intersectionality of our lives and work.
Meet The Team
Meet the incredible individuals who make up the heart and soul of the Inland Empire Black Women's Collective (IEBWC) - passionate advocates and visionary leaders committed to empowering Black women and their communities.
Co-Convenor
Lanae Norwood
CEO & Principal Consultant,
Founding President & Executive Director,
Co-Convenor
CEO & Founder,
Danielle Townshend
Dina Walker
Co-Convenor
Dr. Ayanna Balogun
Co-Convenor
President & CEO
Founder & Executive Director
Our Pillars
Leadership
Education
Economics
Politics
Health
We are committed to cultivating the next generation of Black women leaders in the Inland Empire. Through mentorship, networking, and collaborative platforms, we provide the resources for women to lead with authenticity and power. We believe in a leadership model that rejects and patriarchy, instead prioritizing collective growth, solidarity, and the elevation of voices that have historically been marginalized
Knowledge is the cornerstone of liberation. Our education pillar is dedicated to expanding Black consciousness and equipping our community with the tools for lifelong success. We provide comprehensive training, interactive workshops, and skill-development programs designed to bridge the opportunity gap. By investing in the intellectual growth of Black women and girls, we ensure our voices remain informed, influential, and impossible to ignore.
Economic justice is a prerequisite for liberation. We strive to build collective wealth and financial stability within our community by providing resources for economic strategy and professional advancement. From financial literacy to supporting Black women-owned businesses and organizations, our goal is to dismantle the barriers to economic success and create a sustainable legacy of prosperity for Black women and their families.
Advocacy and activism are at the heart of everything we do. Our political pillar focuses on mobilizing Black women to engage in the self and communal empowerment process of civic engagement. We provide the strategies and tools necessary to challenge systemic injustices, influence policy, and demand accountability from decision-makers. We don’t just ask for a seat at the table; we build our own power to transform the room.
We prioritize the holistic well-being of Black women and girls by addressing the systemic inequities within the healthcare system. Our focus is on fostering a culture of wellness that honors the intersectionality of our physical, mental, and emotional health. Through education and community support, we empower our members to advocate for their autonomy and access the care they deserve to thrive, not just survive.
Our Values
Unity
Unapolegetically Black
Collective Work and Responsibility
We believe that all Black Women’s voices should be celebrated, are welcomed, valued, and important. We do not perpetuate patriarchy, misogyny/misogynoir, sexism, classism, anti-Black racism, homophobia, transphobia, elitism, ageism, ableism, or any other discriminatory ideology.