At a glance
Charles T. Brown, Black Equity Coalition, and Center for MultiCultural Health received the third biennial Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Lark Galloway-Gilliam Award for Advancing Health Equity. This award is in honor of Lark Galloway-Gilliam’s meaningful and far-reaching contributions to the REACH program.
Winners
The 2024 REACH Lark Award has three winners: one individual and two organizations. The individual winner is Charles T. Brown with Equitable Cities, and the organization winners are Black Equity Coalition (BEC), and Center for MultiCultural Health (CMCH).
Individual award—Charles T. Brown
Charles T. Brown is the founder and CEO of Equitable Cities in Somerset, New Jersey. His work encourages physical activity through a multifaceted approach that integrates urban planning, public health, and community engagement. Charles focuses on researching and implementing policies and designs that prioritize safe and accessible active transportation, such as walking and biking, and access to recreational spaces. He primarily works with populations who are at increased risk of adverse health effects and face barriers to accessing safe active- or public-transportation options, affordable housing, and quality public spaces.
Organizational award—Black Equity Coalition
The Black Equity Coalition (BEC) is a partner of Allegheny County REACH in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. BEC provides outreach, education, and clinics related to vaccinations in their communities. BEC collaborates with institutions and community leaders to deliver education, provide mobile vaccination services, serve as reliable communicators, and maintain a focus on health disparities. BEC strategically engages partners in health care, congregate housing, religious institutions, and community-centered locations such as hair salons and barbershops. BEC focuses on areas where their community residents frequently gather. Through its relationships, BEC enhances communication between health care partners and the population they serve.
Organizational award—Center for MultiCultural Health
Center for MultiCultural Health (CMCH) is a partner of Public Health—Seattle and King County (PHSKC) REACH located in Seattle, Washington. CMCH has partnered with PHSKC since the early 2000s on the first REACH and Steps to a HealthierUS Cooperative Agreement Program. CMCH leads programs tailored to meet the cultural and linguistic needs of the communities it serves. This work includes various initiatives:
- Systems change work such as supporting coalition partners working in farmer's markets to connect ethnic farmers to customers or add options for healthy food in school settings.
- One-on-one health education.
- Demonstrations on healthy eating.
CMCH has put into action programs and influenced policies to address hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.