A community research partnership to improve the diet of African Americans

To describe a community research partnership in which a national parent education organization collaborated with academic institutions to develop a dietary change program for underserved African American parents.

Qualitative methods were used to characterize issues that impacted partnership operations.

Data are reported on partnership activities including program development and implementation with African American parents. Lessons learned and strategies for improving the partnership are presented.

Ongoing assessment and evaluation of how a partnership operates, especially in the context of multiple sites, are important to sustaining successful functioning.