The National Council of Negro Women, Inc. (NCNW) is a voluntary membership organization helping women of African descent to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families and communities. NCNW works through advocacy and community-based programming in the United States, Egypt, Senegal and Zimbabwe. Through its national affiliated constituency-based organizations and 250 community-based sections, NCNW has an outreach to four million women. It has Consultative Status at the United Nations. Areas of expertise include AIDS and STDS prevention and training; community service; cultural, racial and ethnic diversity; economic development; economic and social status of women; education; family; girls and adolescents; global issues; grants and scholarships; health and health care; human rights; leadership and leadership development; mentoring; philanthropy; volunteerism. The Bethune Program Development Center (BPDC) serves as a resource to increase the capacity of communities, to address the multiple needs facing African American families, and to effectively link families with neighborhood and community services. The Center provides technical assistance and training; public information and advocacy; and development of partnerships and collaborations in three core issue areas (health, education, and community life). The BPDC has developed a number of initiatives to maximize the personal, emotional and academic growth and development of African American children through the recognition of the fundamental importance of education. Two major initiatives focus on parental involvement and mentoring.