Reactivating Public Health: Organizing for Change and Building Solidarity

Across the country, public health leaders, organizers, advocates and academics are grappling with how to continue building healthier, more just communities, while equity-centered work is under attack. At the same time, the public health field faces mounting political pressure and workforce challenges. Meanwhile, the deepening health inequities in communities calls on public health organizations and practitioners to regroup and reground in our interconnected fates and shared interests. Governmental public health, community organizing and academic leaders will join our June webinar to share how public health can engage in organizing, power-building and solidarity efforts that can help move the field forward.  

This panel discussion features Dr. Rashaad Abdur-Rahman, director of state strategies at the Government Alliance on Race and Equity/Race Forward; Sophie Simon-Ortiz, senior organizing project director at Health in Partnership and leader with Public Health Awakened and the Public Health for Community Power Coalition; and Alana LeBrón, steward with the Health and Power Organizing Project and associate professor at the University of California, Irvine.  

Panelists will reflect on how institutions and communities can work together to advance health and equity through coalition-building, movement partnership, organizing strategies and cross-sector collaboration. They will also explore how public health practitioners can engage not only in specific advocacy but also build relationships and join broader movements for racial, economic, housing, environmental and social justice.

Grounded in real-world examples and practical reflection, this conversation will highlight concrete approaches for sustaining courageous, equity-centered public health practices and leadership. Participants will leave with a deeper understanding of how organizing can strengthen public health systems and drive community-led change.