“Building a bigger ‘we’ means connecting across race, class, and geography to win the rights and recognition our communities deserve.”  – Dana Kennedy

In this panel discussion, leaders Dana Kennedy (Center for Health Progress), Delmonte Jefferson (Center for Black Health & Equity), and Acadia Jacob (Florida Voices for Health) shared their strategies for building power across diverse communities to confront systemic health inequities. 

Powerful Moments: 

  • “It’s not an individual problem; it’s corporate greed.” Dana Kennedy from Center for Health Progress discussed reframing the narrative around health system challenges to focus on systemic accountability. 
  • “The power lies within our communities.” Delmonte Jefferson of the Center for Black Health & Equity highlighted the importance of empowering communities to advocate for policies like menthol bans, which address health disparities. 
  • “Storytellers are experts in their own experiences.” Acadia Jacob of Florida Voices for Health emphasized the role of story banking to connect lived experiences with systemic advocacy. 

This session showcased how power-building tactics like coalition leadership, grassroots advocacy, and storytelling create pathways for collective action and systemic change. 

Four people smiling with arms around each other. From left, a man with glasses wearing a tan beanie and a red, blue, white a green open knit sweater over a black shirt and pants. Then a woman with long red hair, a flower-patterned shirt and dark jeans. Then a woman with long black gair and glasses with a black shirt and black jeans. Finally, a man with glasses and a short dark and grey hair and beard wearing a dark suit coat over a pink shirt and dark pants.
(Left to right) Ryan Rolle from Community Catalyst, Acadia Jacob from Florida Voices for Health, Dana Kennedy from the Center for Health Progress, and Delmonte Jefferson from The Center for Black Health & Equity

Calls to Action: 

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.

Read More

Health Justice Advocacy Panel | Local and Federal Strategies for Equity

Advocates from North Carolina, California, and national organizations discuss health justice as both a local and federal priority, with a focus on accountability and grassroots empowerment.

Read More

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.

Read More