Think Equity

Some might call it risky business—bringing together diverse professionals to deepen understanding and advance racial equity just a week after an election, especially in a state where rural and urban perspectives can feel worlds apart. Yet, that’s exactly what we did. Last week, Think Equity hosted a Learning Forum for healthcare organizations participating in the ?????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????? ???????????? project, funded by the The Colorado Health Foundation. Over the course of 2 days, nine clinic teams from across Colorado, the Think Equity team, and my fellow project consultants came together for learning, action planning, and strengthening our connections in person. The highlights were powerful. We opened with a deeply sacred and educational land acknowledgment from Elton Naswood. Elton shared ceremony and then knowledge with us, grounding and blessing the group, and then guiding us toward deeper understanding and better relationships with our Indigenous relatives. Later, we dove into anti-racism in clinical settings with Tai Edward Few. His blend of personal and professional insight is unmatched, and it was a privilege to learn with him. It was so hard being the time keeper--I could have listened to him all day. I had the honor of presenting a session called Awareness to Action alongside Victoria Mejia. Together, we explored how to increase awareness on four levels—personal, interpersonal, institutional, and ideological—to combat oppression at each. The next morning, one participant shared how she used a simple (yet powerful!) tracking exercise from our session while watching TV in her hotel room that evening. Awareness is a skill we can all strengthen with practice, and now, more than ever, we need it. The event was tied together by Tiffany M. Young and Julianne Golingan Roberts from Think Equity who emceed the entire forum with humor, accountability, and organization. It was also a joy to connect with other Think Equity team members and consultants in person—KaReeyona A. Wright, Ralph Roberts, Link Smith, Bev Wasserman (She/Her) MSN, RN , and Henrietta Croswell, MPH. We missed you, Melyssa Cordero and Tracy T.! This was a space of learning, accountability, and action. At a time when polarization often dominates, it was inspiring to see so many committed to advancing equity and justice in healthcare and beyond.

?? We are honored to welcome Elton Naswood as a distinguished speaker at our inaugural Learning Forum for the Clinics Advancing Health Equity Initiative on November 13-14! Mr. Naswood, Executive Director of the Two-Spirit/Native LGBTQ+ (2SLGBTQ+) Center for Equity, will lead our event’s Land Acknowledgment and present on Indigenous Health Issues. With a wealth of experience in advocacy, capacity building, and community-centered health initiatives, Mr. Naswood has dedicated his career to uplifting Native and 2SLGBTQ+ communities through transformative leadership, resources, and healing efforts. From his work as a Senior Program Analyst at the Office of Minority Health Resource Center to founding the Red Circle Project in Los Angeles, Mr. Naswood brings an invaluable perspective on health equity and the unique challenges facing Indigenous communities. We are thrilled to learn from his insights on Indigenous health and engage in conversations that deepen our commitment to equity and inclusion. A Kidz Clinic Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice (CAHEP) Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Colorado Rural Health Center The Colorado Health Foundation Lowry Pediatrics PEDIATRIC PARTNERS OF THE SOUTHWEST Summit Community Care Clinic #HealthEquity #RacialEquity #ThinkEquity

?? We are thrilled to announce that Tai Edward Few, Associate Director of the Denver Prevention Training Center at Denver Health, will be the keynote speaker at our inaugural Learning Forum for the Clinics Advancing Health Equity (CAHE) Initiative on November 13-14! Mr. Few brings over 20 years of experience in advancing health and racial equity across the public health landscape, with a career spanning impactful roles in public health programs and capacity-building projects of national significance. Known for his expertise in culturally responsive, relevant, and anti-racist care, Mr. Few has helped transform health systems, organizations, and communities nationwide. We’re honored to host Mr. Few as he leads a seminar on "Introduction to Anti-Racist Clinical Care - Deeper Dive," where he will share insights on building inclusive, culturally responsive care models and implementing DEI practices at all levels. A Kidz Clinic Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice (CAHEP) Colorado Coalition for the Homeless Colorado Rural Health Center The Colorado Health Foundation Lowry Pediatrics PEDIATRIC PARTNERS OF THE SOUTHWEST Summit Community Care Clinic #HealthEquity #RacialEquity #ThinkEquity

We’re so proud of Tiffany M. Young for leading such an impactful discussion on cultural humility with ULI Atlanta's advisory board. Her insights continue to challenge and inspire new approaches to DEI, pushing beyond the surface to foster meaningful change.???

Congratulations to our Project Coach, Lily Sussman, on completing her certification in the ACRE strategic planning methodology! This equity-focused approach is already making a difference in our work with health clinics, empowering stakeholders to set shared goals and build sustainable plans. We’re excited to see how Lily will continue using ACRE to drive meaningful, participant-centered strategic planning. Well done, Lily! ??

NACCHO is hiring a Director of Health Equity and Social Justice (HESJ) to lead the organization’s HESJ portfolio and advance NACCHO’s broader HESJ mission. The position description can be found on NACCHO's Career Center: https://lnkd.in/eANTvmUT #PublicHealth #HESJ #HealthEquity

We’re proud of our Executive Project Coordinator, Link Smith, for leading impactful training sessions with senior leaders at San Luis Valley Health and The Colorado Health Foundation. Link facilitated conversations on the connection between Health Equity and Leadership, empowering managers and directors to drive equitable health outcomes in their communities. Great work, Link! ??

?? Are you passionate about organizational development in the healthcare field? We're #hiring a Learning and Development Manager (Clinical STI) in Denver, CO! ?? If you have the skills and experience, we want to hear from you! ?? Apply today: https://lnkd.in/dtf3SiUb #DenverPTC #HealthcareJobs #HiringNow #STICareers #HumanResources #DenverJobs

?? We are hiring! Our team is looking to hire a fully remote, part-time Equity Fellow. This individual will assist in researching and curating equity-focused content for our programs. The initial scope of work will primarily focus on supporting our Collaboration Lab curriculum and other collaborative leadership efforts, by exploring existing collaboration resources, and contributing to the development of materials that elevate inclusive, equity-centered practices. There is potential for the fellowship to be extended beyond the initial term for continued work on additional projects. Learn more about this position and how to apply here: https://lnkd.in/ee8hJ8dx #collaboration #jobs #remotejobs

Grateful to have been part of a powerful partnership to support healthcare clinics in Colorado. Together, we helped clinics make a real impact! ??