National Collaborative for Health Equity

Black Residents Win Key Ruling in ‘Cancer Alley’ Environmental Racism Case The lawsuit could force a jury to decide if turning Black communities into sacrifice zones is a legacy of slavery.

A fed. judge just allowed residents of Cancer Alley to move forward with a pollution lawsuit against officials in St. James Parish. The suit argues decades of land-use decisions in Louisiana concentrated toxic industry in majority-Black areas — violating their constitutional rights ow.ly/KoR550YiStR

We honor the life & legacy of Jesse Jackson—a towering figure in the Civil Rights Movement & a lifelong champion for justice, equity, & economic empowerment. His voice challenged the nation to live up to its highest ideals—& his work helped move it closer to that promise.

May we continue the work.

Black History at the Heart of America’s Story On the 100th anniversary of Black History Month, when some manipulate memory, a scholar calls for a new look at the past.

As we celebrate Black History Month, Dr. Gail Christopher reminds us that Black history isn’t a sidebar—it’s central to the American story.

In her latest piece, she calls us to honor the full truth of our shared history— and the contributions that shaped our democracy.

Read more: ow.ly/rlFk50Yh7y6

This Black History Month, we honor C.L.R. James (1901–1989) — historian, Pan-Africanist, and author of The Black Jacobins. He reshaped how we understand the Haitian Revolution and centered Black resistance in global history. His work still inspires movements for justice worldwide. #BlackHistoryMonth

New SAVE Act Bills Would Still Block Millions of Americans From Voting The “show your papers” requirement is an attack on the freedom to vote.

New versions of the #SAVEAct would require proof of citizenship (like a passport or birth certificate) to register to vote. Over 21M Americans don’t have these documents readily available—potentially blocking millions from voting.

Read more from the Brennan Center ow.ly/Lss950Ye2jS

#VotingRights

YouTube video by National Collaborative for Health Equity Virtual Town Hall 2025: Ensuring Safety and Security in Communities Today (Panel 3)

During the NCHE Town Hall: Ensuring Safety and Security in Communities Today, Dirk Butler, Chief Program Officer at NAF, shared how today’s youth give him hope for the future through their leadership and commitment to safer communities.

Watch More: youtu.be/XZaCUe_I2c8?...

#YouthLeadership #Safety

“When the community tells you that your work is helping them heal, it’s a reminder that purpose-led artistry is bigger than us. It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen, heard, and empowered.” — Mahoganee Amiger

Catch this powerful moment on the #HOPEinAction podcast! ow.ly/8PTl50Y9qPH

How Racism Costs Everyone : Fresh Air Four years ago, Heather McGhee examined a question at the heart of American life: Why do so many Americans believe that progress for one group means loss for another? She traveled the country talking ...

In "The Sum of Us," Heather McGhee explores the dangerous myth that progress for one group means loss for another. During her powerful MLK Day convo with Tonya Mosley, she highlights voices from factory workers to scholars, reflecting on unity over division. Listen now: ow.ly/ajnM50Y8WHE

Federal judge restores thousands of Virginians' voting rights in historic ruling - ACLU of Virginia “Virginia’s government has blatantly broken the law for more than a century by disenfranchising everyone with a felony conviction, disproportionately affecting Black and Brown Virginians,” said ACLU-V...

A federal judge restored voting rights to thousands of Virginians, challenging a discriminatory felony disenfranchisement system and strengthening our democracy.

🔗 Read more: ow.ly/TMG650Y7Elp

For similar stories, check out the NCHE Bulletin. www.nationalcollaborative.org/weekly-bulletin/

Voices of Healing: Generations of Community & Change

Held in honor of the #NationalDayOfRacialHealing, UMBC’s TRHT Center brought together national leaders, community artists, and West Baltimore youth to move racial healing from reflection to action.

#VoicesOfHealing #RacialHealing #HealthEquity

HOPE in Action — an NCHE Podcast

“Art is not just decoration—it’s the infrastructure of care… helping communities reclaim their health and well-being.” — April Fitzpatrick, founder of Pineapples with Purpose

Tune in to hear how art fuels healing justice & health equity. ow.ly/oX8l50Y51nv

YouTube video by National Collaborative NCHE Town Hall: Healing and Relationship Building (Panel 2)

NCHE Virtual Town Hall – Panel 2 Discussion
Leaders & advocates discuss how healing, trust, and relationship-building are essential to interrupt cycles of harm and support recovery in communities of color.

Watch the panel:
🔗 youtu.be/A0LaWj6tUis?...

#CommunityHealing #PublicSafety #HealingJustice

Minnesotans strike to protest ICE surge in state: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’ Organizers demand ICE leave state and agency be investigated for constitutional violations

Communities across Minnesota organized a powerful “economic blackout” — no work, no school, no shopping — to protest the recent surge of federal Immigration & Customs Enforcement activity in the state.

This is how you band together as a community to push for equity & justice! ow.ly/Vwr450Y1W4n

On the 10th anniversary of the #NationalDayOfRacialHealing, NCHE launches HOPE in Action, a new podcast series advancing healing justice & health equity. Episode 1 focuses on the power of arts & culture.

Listen now: ow.ly/Yqju50XZTyT

#HOPEinAction #NDORH #HealingJustice #HealthEquity

Register Here: shrivertrhtcampuscenter.org

Today we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by recommitting to his call for justice. His legacy reminds us that progress requires persistence, and that we must never give up the fight for justice and equity.

#MLKDay #RacialEquity #HealthEquity #CivilRights

At the NCHE Virtual Town Hall, “Ensuring Safety & Security in Communities Today,” MD Delegate Melissa Wells shared impactful strategies from Baltimore to build safer, more resilient neighborhoods.

Watch Panel One & explore more resources:
www.nationalcollaborative.org/town-hall-en...
#publicsafety

Pittsburgh Rep. Summer Lee pushes federal bill to fight AI bias If passed, the reintroduced legislation would hold companies accountable for algorithms that make unfair, life-altering decisions, lawmakers said.

New legislation led by Rep. Summer Lee aims to curb AI discrimination in hiring, housing, lending, and more, pushing for transparency, accountability, and civil rights protections as AI use expands.

🔗 technical.ly/civics/summe...

🌺 Hawaiʻi Kuʻu Home Aloha 🌺
Join this annual summit honoring Native Hawaiian history, culture, and community healing through learning, ceremony, and connection. Open to all and rooted in aloha ʻāina and pilina.

📅 Jan 17–22
📍 UH Mānoa & Online
🔗 manoa.hawaii.edu/nhpol/hawaii...

Live updates: ICE agent’s killing of woman in Minneapolis stokes tension over immigration crackdown | CNN Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is preparing the state National Guard for possible deployment after a woman was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. Follow for live news updates.

The presence of ICE in our communities is unsafe and does not improve people’s lives. The fatal shooting in Minneapolis shows how these operations create fear, trauma, and harm, not safety. Communities deserve accountability and real solutions.

🔗 ow.ly/VvyN50XTuvl

Save the Date | National Day of Racial Healing

Join UMBC’s Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation Center for “Voices of Healing: Generations of Community & Change, ”a live online conversation on racial healing, youth leadership & shared humanity.

📩 Info: udayjoshi@umbc.edu
📌 RSVP required

#TRHT

Buddhist monks continued their powerful Walk for Peace through Georgia, drawing crowds as they moved through Atlanta on their journey from Texas to Washington, D.C.
Their message is simple & profound: compassion, mindfulness, & unity.

Read More: ow.ly/ofhl50XQpMM

#WalkForPeace #SharedHumanity

Congestion pricing improved air quality in NYC and suburbs | Cornell Chronicle Cornell researchers tallied the environmental benefits of New York City’s congestion pricing program and found air pollution dropped by 22% in Manhattan, with additional declines across the city’s fiv...

New research shows NYC’s congestion pricing improved air quality in the city and surrounding suburbs, boosting public health and community well-being.

🔗 ow.ly/30Lk50XQ3GX

For more stories on health, equity & smart policy, check out the NCHE Weekly Bulletin.

#EnvironmentalJustice #CleanAir

200+ Environmental Groups Demand Halt to Construction of New U.S. Data Centers More than 200 environmental groups are demanding a national moratorium on the construction of data centers in the U.S until new regulations are put in place. In an open letter addressed to Congress, t...

200+ environmental groups are calling for a halt to new U.S. data centers, warning that unchecked growth threatens climate, water, and community health. They’re urging Congress to pause construction until stronger protections are in place. Read More: ow.ly/JI0z50XNjc2

#ClimateJustice #DataCenters

Health equity leaders use relationships and new narratives to bring racial healing While a culture of hostility seems to cloak the country, individuals and organizations are working to tell the stories of triumph and positive change that are not being told and shift wrong narratives...

Check out this recap of NCHE’s town hall “Ensuring Safety & Security in Communities Today.” Health equity & civic leaders shared real stories of uplifting communities and reshaping narratives around harm and violence.

🔗 url-media.com/health-equit...

#HealthEquity #CommunitySafety #NCHE

Understanding and enhancing economic mobility in New Orleans | Brookings This report analyzes intergenerational economic mobility in New Orleans using data from Opportunity Insights.

New from Brookings: A deep dive into economic mobility in New Orleans, what’s holding families back and what investments can help expand opportunity and equity across the city.

🔗 www.brookings.edu/articles/und...

#EconomicMobility #HealthEquity

“Our Shared Humanity Is Our Greatest Strength” For all of the talk of division, the nation is more united than you might think, according to the annual Heart of America Survey.

In a powerful new piece for Washington Monthly, Dr. Gail C. Christopher reminds us that despite efforts to divide us, most Americans long for connection, dignity, and belonging. Centering our shared humanity is not just moral, it’s essential for healing, equity, and progress. ow.ly/IHPN50XJN3G

Join NCHE for our Town Hall: “Ensuring Safety & Security in Communities Today.” Hear leaders from across the country share real strategies for building safer, healthier neighborhoods.

🗓 Dec 11 | 1:30–4:30 PM EST
🔗 Register here: ow.ly/jG6750XBtl2

#CommunitySafety #HealthEquity #NCHE

Donate - National Collaborative for Health Equity

💙This Giving Tuesday, support the mission of NCHE.

NCHE works to advance racial & health equity by supporting community leaders, harnessing data, and building cross-sector partnerships that move us toward a more just & equitable society.

Make a gift today: www.nationalcollaborative.org/donate/

One of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre's last survivors, Viola Ford Fletcher, dies at age 111 One of the last known survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre in Oklahoma has died. Viola Ford Fletcher was 111.

Viola Ford Fletcher, one of the last survivors of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has passed at 111. Her life was a powerful call for justice.

More than a century later, survivors and descendants still await meaningful reparations. It’s time.

Read More: apnews.com/article/viol...

#Reparationsnow.