Be Present’s roots are traced to nationally recognized trainer and social change activist Lillie P. Allen’s groundbreaking Black & Female: What is the Reality? Workshop at the First National Conference on Black Women’s Health Issues held in 1983 in Atlanta, GA. In 1988, a group of African-American women trained by Ms. Allen as self-help group facilitators invited white women and other women of color activists to participate in Sisters & Allies, an 18-month leadership training project. This initiative formed the foundation for Be Present, Inc., which incorporated as a non-profit in 1992. Men and boys began participating in trainings in 1996; and as of November 2008 are part of Be Present Inc.'s organizing and governance structures - our Regional Organizing Core Groups and National Board of Directors. This decision completes Be Present's vision to include all people in all aspects of the organization.