Contra Costa Commits $8.9 Million To Launch African American Wellness Hub

Contra Costa County has released a detailed implementation plan for the African American Holistic Wellness and Resource Hub, an initiative designed to address health, housing, and economic disparities experienced by Black residents. The plan, prepared by the Office of Racial Equity and Social Justice, outlines a phased approach that emphasizes culturally grounded services and community-led governance. The project builds on a feasibility study conducted from August 2024 to March 2025 by Ceres Policy Research. That study included more than 4,000 survey responses, listening sessions, and town halls, and highlighted major gaps in access to behavioral health care, housing support, legal advocacy, and employment services. Several census tracts in Antioch, Richmond, North Richmond, and Pittsburg were identified as among the most underserved, with limited access to infrastructure and resources.

The Board of Supervisors has committed $8.9 million in Measure X funds to the effort. Of that amount, $1 million was awarded earlier this year as wellness grants, and $7.5 million is dedicated to establishing and operating the Hub. An additional $400,000 was designated for services supporting African American males. In May, 13 Black-led nonprofit organizations began delivering projects in areas including housing stability, maternal and infant health, youth programs, and mental health services. According to the plan, the next step is to form a 13-member Transitional Community Advisory Body this summer. The group will help guide procurement and the selection of a lead nonprofit organization to manage the Hub. Beginning in 2026, the selected entity will be responsible for hiring an executive director, forming a governing board and community council, and coordinating contracts with service providers. By 2029, the county intends to establish a permanent physical hub in Antioch at 1650 Cavallo Road, a 24,000-square-foot property approved by the City Council for future use. The building is currently occupied and is not expected to be available until approximately 2028. The budget dedicates $5.9 million over the next three and a half years to direct service contracts and staffing, with another $2 million reserved for capital improvements at the Antioch site. A sustainability plan also calls for an annual allocation of $1.5 million to maintain operations in the long term. County officials say the Hub will operate under a shared governance model that includes county agencies, nonprofit organizations, and community representatives. The approach draws on examples such as the Family Justice Alliance and the Reentry Success Network, and will include mechanisms for data tracking, equity monitoring, and community accountability. The initiative is being described as a significant step in the county’s efforts to advance racial equity and improve outcomes for African American residents.