Through the leadership of our inaugural Director of Health Equity, Dr. Marcellus C. Taylor, the Partnership for Better Health is developing a full complement of health equity strategies. We are embracing a powerful definition of health equity developed by the Health Equity Leadership & Exchange Network (HELEN):
Health equity exists when all people, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, geographic location, or other social constructs have fair and just access, opportunity, and resources to achieve their highest potential for health.
This definition serves as a visionary framework for our transformative journey of health equity. We invite community members, mission-driven organizations, coalitions, government agencies, businesses and all other groups committed to these principles to join with us.
In 2022, we are launching two new health equity funding and engagement strategies.
- Health Equity Grants: These initial grants will serve to kickstart health equity conversations and actions at the street level. We strive to engage the voices, ideas and capacities of residents whose experiences are powerful and not always heard. As a community, how do we Imagine Better to help everyone achieve their highest potential for health? These grants will engage more diverse and inclusive perspectives and foster a foundation for collaboration and the sharing of power in current and future community change efforts.
- Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging (DEIB) Trainings: These spring workshops will be led by Dr. Marcellus C. Taylor. They are open to all local groups and individuals who are committed to growing and advancing the goals of health equity and justice.
Community Voice & Engagement: Across our work, we seek opportunities to engage neighbors and residents from historically marginalized communities in the sharing of power to determine how the foundation’s resources are best applied, towards shaping a more equitable future. We recognize the importance of active community engagement, wisdom, leadership and consensus building in working towards a brighter tomorrow. The Health Equity grants and DEIB trainings mentioned above are key parts of our community engagement strategy.