About the Center for African American Health

Mission

To partner with our community to enhance and improve the health and wellness of Black and African Americans living in Kansas and beyond through innovation in service, education, research and policy.

Vision

To be the leading transformational force of community empowerment for health equity.

Goals

• To honor and value community voices.
• To be intentional and deliberate about building trust by holding ourselves accountable to the communities we serve.
• To identify, address, and eliminate structural barriers such as policies, environmental conditions, and lived experiences of discrimination.
• To promote educational exchange between community members and the University of Kansas Medical Center to address the ill health effects of inequities.

About the Center

Inequitable policies and practices entrenched in colonialism and White supremacy have negatively influenced the health of Black and African Americans across the lifespan. A comprehensive program that precisely addresses the health of Black and African Americans and meets the unique needs of this marginalized, historically oppressed group is critically warranted.

The Center for African American Health is a community-led, community-based center that aims to enhance and improve the health and wellness of Black and African Americans. Aligning with the University of Kansas Medical Center's and The University of Kansas Health System's missions and strategic initiatives, the Center for African American Health will accomplish our goals through service, education, research and policy to address and reduce health inequities through partnerships with internal and external stakeholders committed to social justice.

While the center’s focus is to enhance and improve health and wellness outcomes for Black and African American communities, including but not limited to descendants of enslaved persons, refugees, and immigrants, we will also advocate for health equity for all marginalized individuals and populations.

Launched in July 2023, the Center for African American Health is co-designed and co-created with communities in Wyandotte and Sedgwick Counties as a center for all ages, backgrounds and intersectional identities within Black and African American communities. We invite you connect with us and learn how to join this robust, intentional and equitable community partnership.