Real Talk
Advocates and healthcare leaders share stories about working to build anti-racist health systems.
Featured Stories
As leader of We in the World, Somava is committed to creating a shared understanding of the harms that a system has created and reimagining what it could look like instead. Listen to her discuss how meaningful partnerships can foster change in “creating the life that’s needed.”
Organizing community partnerships across the South shaped Sharrelle’s understanding of what real systemic change should look like. Now the director of the Ubuntu Center, hear why she sees relationships as the foundation of health equity, and how—rooted in the civil rights movement—communities have a vision for care that heals.
Kimberly fills her cup by engaging with youth advocates who are spreading awareness and educating others about reproductive justice through digital media. Listen to her talk about the power of elevating young people’s voices and using communications to effectively advocate for reproductive justice and culture change.
Nikia’s midwifery journey began after listening to people of color in Memphis tell their infant mortality stories. As a reproductive justice advocate, she is committed to expanding access to reproductive care and supporting midwives as they reclaim their role as providers in the communities they serve. Listen to her story.
With a family history shaped by migration, Jessica’s work is influenced by her grandmother who left Central America at the onset of a civil war. Committed to honoring her grandmother’s sacrifices, she now helps organizations ground their work more deeply in equity. Engaging in ongoing collaboration through working groups and dialogue continues to inspire and deepen her impact.
After losing a friend and colleague to pregnancy complications, Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha holds a personal commitment to maternal health. Guided by the belief that birth should be joyous and restorative, she now leads research and builds meaningful relationships with policymakers, advocates, and elected officials to address the root causes of maternal deaths.
Coming out as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community opened Steven’s eyes to the weight of oppression. Moments of exclusion and personal setbacks deepened his realization and drove Steven to stand with organizations navigating systemic injustices. He believes that history bends toward justice and in the collective courage and persistence of people doing this work.
Meet principal of Public Equity Group, John Newsome. Grounded in his identity as a queer African American and inspired by his parents’ resilience in the midst of inequity, John’s work reflects passion and purpose. Listen to him share insights about the Equity Learning Lab and the hard yet rewarding work of transforming health systems to create a lasting impact.
As a Harlem native and former community outreach worker during the HIV/AIDS epidemic, Lori is an expert in communicating with historically marginalized communities to understand their health needs. In addition to educating a new generation of public health leaders, Lori envisions a transformed healthcare system where the medical establishment can partner respectfully with communities as they advocate for patients.
Challenges he saw his community face as a young adult opened Dr. Torian Easterling’s eyes to inequities that exist within health systems and community development. Listen to Dr. Easterling share how organizations can prioritize health equity through institutional leadership and providing community support.
Ben understands the pressure of tackling racism in healthcare. Hear him discuss how people of color working in the healthcare system can stay true to both communities and why it’s necessary to build strong relationships with the people they serve.
Growing up, Melody learned firsthand how access to resources impacts outcomes. Listen to her explain the role food banks can play in building anti-racist health systems and how those involved in this work can measure and share successes.
Christina’s identity as a Black woman and a doctor guide her in the role of chief health equity officer at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. Amid recent attacks on DEI, Christina shares advice on how to move this work forward with the community.
As a trained nurse and president of her local NAACP, Jackie knows that when people receive care and respect, they lead healthier lives. Listen as she explains how noticing people go without needed care during COVID moved her organization to partner with local health systems. Together, they built meaningful and ongoing relationships.
Childhood is an important period for establishing the foundation of lifelong health and wellbeing. That’s why pediatrician Andrew Beck is committed to improving child health outcomes on a population scale at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. Hear Andrew highlight the valuable role of partnerships with advocates and share his motivation for addressing inequities in child health outcomes.
Ruqaiijah is dedicated to fighting against injustices in the healthcare system through her role as a health law professor and co-founder of the Institute for Healing Justice and Equity. Hear Ruqaiijah discuss the critical need for collaboration between leaders in advocacy and healthcare to achieve equitable healthcare that addresses all aspects of wellbeing.
As the grandson of Chinese immigrants, Marshall’s family faced an overwhelming amount of anti-Chinese attitudes. Marshall’s upbringing motivated him to bring anti-racist perspectives and practices to his equity work. Listen to his story.
Reading about health disparities in the news when he was a paperboy influenced Xavier to become the advocate his younger self wished his community had. Listen to Xavier share how he got into the work of helping community partners build equity in their local communities.
Joel’s experiences with prejudice in high school motivated him to use his medical training and career to highlight how healthcare often fails to serve historically excluded communities. As ‘The Medical Mythbuster,’ Joel discusses racial health disparities, the hidden history of medicine, and the overlooked bias in healthcare on social media platforms like TikTok.
Sinsi learned about health inequities at an early age. Her father’s experiences with racism in the medical field motivated her to advocate for anti-racism in healthcare. Listen to her story.
The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect the views of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
