Transforming the Health of African American Women (T.H.A.W., Inc.) was founded in 2018 by Dr. Camille Clarke-Smith as a response to both personal and collective trauma. Born from her doctoral research on the intersection of chronic stress, racism, sexism, and obesity among Black women, THAW emerged not just as a nonprofit, but as a healing movement. The organization was created to serve African American women, particularly those aged 40 and older, living in Pittsburgh communities such as Lincoln-Lemington, Homewood, Larimer, and Wilkinsburg, areas disproportionately impacted by systemic health disparities. THAW’s mission is to create safe, culturally rooted spaces where Black women can engage in emotional, physical, and spiritual healing.

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Originally offering a variety of community-based health and fitness initiatives, THAW has refined its programs to prioritize depth, sustainability, and intimacy over scale. Its flagship program, the RISE Book Club, utilizes bibliotherapy and guided reflection to foster emotional wellness and connection among Black women navigating stress, grief, and identity. Other core programs include Boxing Yoga Exhale (BYE), a weekly trauma-informed movement and breathwork class; Fit4God, a group strength training program grounded in faith; and personalized 1:1 wellness coaching sessions that address both physical and emotional health, and Can We Talk, a support group for women 50 and over. THAW continues to be guided by research, including the 2019 University of Pittsburgh study on race and gender inequality, as well as spiritual discernment, which operates at the intersection of wellness, faith, and social justice.