MLK Day reminds us: the time is ripe to promote racial equity.

“We must use time creatively, in the knowledge that the time is always ripe to do right.” ―Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

On #MLKDay 2023, we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s clear and persistent dream for a safe, racially just society. And we know that racial equity—the process of eliminating racial disparities and changing policies, practices, systems, and structures by prioritizing measurable change in the lives of people of color—is the bridge to racial justice and safe communities for all.
 
From eliminating inequities in parks and green space, to transforming the environments where people live, learn, work, play, and pray, to building capacity for culturally-rooted strategies to promote safe communities and prevent domestic violence, Prevention Institute is proud to work with diverse partners and communities who are dedicated to promoting racial equity in myriad creative ways.

PI staff share how our focus on racial justice has shaped our own internal process:

Lessons Along the Journey: Taking Action Toward Racial Justice in Public Health Systems: In this three-part webinar series, PI staff talk openly and honestly about operationalizing racial justice in our work and the lessons we’re learning as we go.

We uplifted lessons from resistance movements led by communities of color against white supremacy and systemic racism, discussed the power of cultivating authentic partnerships and power sharing, and shared emerging policy and narrative themes.

Watch each learning session below:

Session 1: The Role of Public Health in Social Movements for Racial Justice
Session 2: Partnerships, Power Sharing, and Push Back
Session 3: Policy and Narrative Themes

Investing in communities and futures that are safe

We recently partnered with Big Cities Health Coalition to promote equitable community safety—especially in communities that have been most impacted by disinvestment, which is a result of systemic racism and class oppression. A safe community is one where we all can live, work, and play without fear of violence or harm toward us or our loved ones. We can build safe communities together by supporting equitable access to affordable homes, green spaces, living wages, and quality education.

Learn how you can support your community’s safety.

Centering Racial Justice to Strengthen the Public Health Ecosystem: Lessons from COVID-19

We partnered with Big Cities Health Coalition (BCHC) to explore opportunities and strategies that challenge the public health field to root our practice in racial justice and health equity. Watch the video below and read our report to learn more about rebuilding the nation’s public health infrastructure.

National Day of Racial Healing | #HowWeHeal.

Racial healing restores individuals and communities by addressing and repairing the harms of racism. It facilitates trust, builds authentic relationships, and bridges divides. Launched on January 17, 2017 by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the National Day of Racial Healing brings all people together—virtually and in-person—to inspire collective dreams and action to create a more just and equitable world.

Join the National Day of Racial Healing.