The SOL Project sits down with Brenda Bell Caffee to discuss her impact on tobacco prevention and securing smoke-free home pledges
by Pleshette Robertson, Community Engagement Coordinator
Brenda Bell Caffee—a pioneer in tobacco prevention and public health advocacy—reflects on decades of work advancing smoke-free homes and healthier communities.
As the founder of California’s first African American tobacco public health policy program, the African American Tobacco Education Network, and as the current Executive Director and CEO of Caffee, Caffee and Associates Public Health Foundation, Inc., Ms. Caffee has led initiatives that have reached thousands of households. Her Not in Mama’s Kitchen Secondhand Smoke Eradication Program has engaged over 100,000 households nationwide, securing more than 75,000 smoke-free home and car pledges. The program uniquely embeds public health guidance into family cookbooks, blending cultural tradition with practical health education:
“I was raised by my great-grandmother, who we all called ‘Mama.’ Her kitchen—and her recipes—were sacred. People may not keep health brochures, but they will always keep a cookbook passed down through generations.”
“What we allow into our homes matters. This work is about ensuring healthier futures.”
Her advocacy reinforces the importance of smoke-free homes and environments, aligning closely with The SOL Project’s Empowering Local Communities objectives to promote smoke-free multi-unit housing and healthier communities. Ms. Caffee’s efforts span classrooms, community spaces, and city councils, where she pushes for local tobacco-free ordinances that safeguard communities. From California to Mississippi, she has adapted programs to regions with limited public health infrastructure while addressing urgent disparities.
“We work both locally and beyond. We collaborate with organizations across the country—bringing them in as partners and supporting youth-driven initiatives. It’s truly a partnership.”
Youth empowerment is central to her approach. Through the “BU Program” (Be You), she mentors young people in underserved communities, helping them develop self-identity while understanding tobacco risks. She also remains vigilant about evolving products:
The tobacco industry is extremely strategic. They market products that seem more acceptable—but what young people are using now can be just as harmful, if not more. We have to stay informed and united—these products are all harmful.”
Ms. Caffee was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the African American Leadership Council of California in February 2019 and continues to work with culture, community, and family at the center of her mission. Reflecting on this conversation, she shared:
“I’m so glad you took the time to do this. Thank you for celebrating women, for honoring Black history, and for continuing to share messages that uplift our community.”
