“[Health justice] means having access to care. It means being able to live a healthy life regardless of where I live, regardless of my zip code, regardless of my income, regardless of my education level … It also means keeping politics out of the hospitals and out of my doctor’s office.” – Wanda Mosley

This panel brought together advocates from North Carolina, California, and national organizations to discuss health justice as both a local and federal priority. Learn about the role of storytelling in influencing lawmakers, navigating opposition, and advancing critical policies like Medicaid expansion. With a focus on accountability and grassroots empowerment, this session offers actionable insights for driving systemic change.   

Powerful Moments: 

  • “My conversations really open up with storytelling. It’s really hard to argue about someone’s story.” Nicole Dozier from the North Carolina Justice Center spoke about engaging opposition through storytelling to create shared understanding. 
  • “As much as it is a responsibility for the elected officials in the state legislature to represent all Californians, it’s also our responsibility to hold them accountable.” Kei Yamamoto of the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network discussed the importance of transparency and accountability in advancing progressive health policies. 
  • “We have to make sure we keep people in policy. Policy cannot be written or created absent of the actual people that it will affect.” Wanda Mosley of Black Voters Matter highlighted the importance of centering people and community engagement when fighting for health justice policy. 

This session bridged local advocacy with broader systemic change, emphasizing that health justice is not just about access, but about building people-centered systems. 

Four smiling people seated in dark chairs in front of a tan backdrop. From left, a woman with long, light brown hair wearing a buttoned gray suit coat and dark pants. Then a woman with short black hair, a black suit with a blue shirt. Then a man with medium length hair, a blue suit, white shirt and white sneakers. Finally a woman with long, braided red hair wearing a flat black hat, a black and white patterned shirt and red pants.
(Left to right) Michelle Sternthal from Community Catalyst, Nicole Dozier from North Carolina Justice Center, Kei Yamamoto from California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, and Wanda Mosley from Black Voters Matter

Calls to Action: 

  • Speak Out: Contact your local representatives to advocate for health justice policies like Medicaid expansion and medical debt reform. 
  • Engage with Advocates: Follow organizations like the North Carolina Justice Center, Black Voters Matter, and the California Pan-Ethnic Health Network to stay informed and take action. 
  • Host Conversations: Organize a community discussion about the intersection of racial equity and health justice, using the themes from this session as a guide. 

In This Series

Winning In The Wilderness | Mobilization and Long-Term Organizing

In states like Georgia, where political challenges feel unrelenting, advocates must navigate the tension between immediate mobilization and sustaining long-term organizing efforts.

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Navigating The Divide | Building Power Across Communities  

Leaders Dana Kennedy (Center for Health Progress), Del Monte Jefferson (Center for Black Health and Equity), and Acadia Jacob (Florida Voices for Health) share their strategies for building power across diverse communities to confront systemic health inequities. 

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Addressing Declining Black Voter Turnout | Messaging, Power, and Engagement 

Terrance Woodbury, CEO of HIT Strategies, shares insights into the factors driving declining Black voter turnout and strategies for re-engagement.

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