About Us

Attend virtually, from anywhere in the world, online or by phone.

Face to Face meetings

Ebony OA began in 1995 with Angela J. as the founding member, Angela was an outspoken advocate for African American issues and she was also a Region 2 Representative. Ebony OA was first a Face to Face group in San Francisco, its primary focus was to provide information to African Americans on OA Recovery on weight related health issues that were part of the underserved Black community. Another focus was to provide a safe place in Recovery for Black people to talk about “Black Foods” (ethnic) and to identify racial/social issues that affected overeaters.

Ebony OA Phone meetings

The exact date of the formation of the Ebony OA phone meetings was thought to be 2006 or 2007. It was after a Convention in Oakland at the Marriott that three members who kept the meeting going lived in different locations in California and formed the Phone meeting. The Face to Face group did not join.

The first phone meeting was small and consisted of LaVerna, Sahnya and Lotus Flower, Mary Lou joined them and has been a long time member. Sahnya mentioned JoAnn of Cleveland, Nikia, Carol and a few others as early members. The same group met on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. They persevered and the meetings slowly grew into the thriving meetings and Virtual Intergroup we have today.

Five members of Ebony OA worked for two years to rewrite the By-Laws for our existing Ebony OA VIG. The group continues to grow, and attract new members with the message of the 12 Steps of OA, Various OA Literature Studies, as well as the Big Book with a focus on Recovery issues of Black African Americans. The meeting is Open to Everyone. The EOAVIG Board is very active in carrying the message of Recovery.

About the 2007 World Convention in Philadelphia

We met 2 days before the convention and the layout setting was round tables with 10 people seated at each table. Well attended there were over 70 Black people from all over the country. Each table had a leader who shared their experience, strength and hope. After their share we shared among ourselves. What we did not know until the end of the session that each leader had written a article in the pamphlet “Black OA Members Share Their Experience, Strength and Hope” published 2007.

After sharing at each table it was time to combined the groups. Angela H (one of the Founders) served as moderator and engaged all of us to participate. That Saturday during the Convention we had 2 face to face meetings. One in the morning and one in the afternoon.

It was incredible the feeling was great joy. The convention was good , Best part for me was fellowships with people who look like me. Like OA “Invitation To You” states, “Welcome to Overeaters Anonymous, Welcome home! ”

Experience

Experience is best shared.

Strength

“…I needed a Black sponsor. What was I supposed to do? There weren’t any.” from G.H. in OA Black Members Share Experience, Strength and Hope, page 22.

Hope

A meeting full of hope.