By Amber D. Smith, M.Ed, PMP on June 24, 2022
Project Manager
KC Health Collaborative
This past weekend we celebrated Juneteenth. A new holiday to many Americans, considering it’s the second year of it being a national holiday. However, growing up as a little Black Baptist girl in Kansas City — my family and my Sunday/Vacation Bible School teachers anchored us in knowing why Juneteenth was our day of liberation. […]
By Sharla Smith, Ph.D., M.P.H on May 5, 2022
Assistant Professor
University of Kansas School of Medicine
Growing up in rural Arkansas, I started my career as a babysitter because I loved children and dreamed of becoming an OB-GYN and delivering babies. But after earning a biology degree from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and having a son to care for, I discovered a new path — public health — […]
By Angelique (Angie) Williams on January 18, 2022
Director of Community Investment and Impact
Health Forward Foundation
I’ve been looking forward to this day ever since my first day at Health Forward last May. For over a year, the foundation has been working tirelessly on defining our purpose and building new strategies and initiatives. I joined this process in the middle and have been impressed and inspired by the work and dedication […]
By Noah Ybarra on December 2, 2021
AmeriCorps VISTA
KC Common Good
Adam McClun
Community Engagement Manager, KC Common Good
Black and brown communities in cities across the United States face challenges limiting upward mobility — Kansas City is no different. Excluded from prosperity, faced with higher rates of poverty, and lower life expectancies, these communities have fallen victim to cycles of violence. However, the power of hope shared by our community members led them […]
By Cori Stites on October 14, 2021
Program Associate
Health Forward Foundation
Join us for our newest blog series Pages with Partners, where Health Forward staff select a book to discuss with a community partner. If you have a book recommendation, fill out the form at the end of this post. Maid: Hard work, low pay, and a mother’s will to surviveBy Stephanie Land In Stephanie Land’s […]
By Karen Dehais on October 7, 2021
Evaluation and Learning Officer
Health Forward Foundation
In 2011 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and embarked on a treatment journey that brought me to a significant milestone – I’m thankful today to be celebrating 10 years cancer free. This year an estimated 281,550 women in the United States (about 2,100 in Kansas and 4,600 in Missouri) will be diagnosed with breast […]
By Angelique (Angie) Williams on June 24, 2021
Director of Community Investment and Impact
Health Forward Foundation
As I reflect on the teams of people and communities I’ve collaborated with and the impact I’ve been able to influence over the years, it is the work of Health Forward Foundation that has inspired me to consider the legacy that I want to leave for those whom I love and love me. Engaging in […]
