During Black History Month, we are incredibly honored to celebrate achievements in black history – and we will continue to applaud trailblazers in the healthcare industry and within our clinics.

As an ally, we must remain committed towards change. With your help, proceeds from our online shop in 2020 were donated to My Block My Hood My City. This month, as we look forward to resuming in-person volunteer events, we renew support with additional resources and programming.

We recognize our capacity to be a force of good is not just a business responsibility… but it is, perhaps, our greatest privilege. We will continue to seek internal awareness and education for combating systematic biases, as we support our employees in their passionate drive to partake in actionable, meaningful change.

If you are looking to get involved, here are a few Chicago-based, healthcare-focused organizations for local changemakers:

Brave Space Alliance

Brave Space Alliance is the first Black-led, trans-led LGBTQ center on the South Side of Chicago. Brave Space Alliance provides educational and health resources for LGBTQ individuals, primarily serving the South and West Sides of Chicago.

Healthy Hood Chicago 

Healthy Hood Chicago strives to close the 20-year life expectancy gap between underserved and higher-income communities in Chicago. Healthy Hood, based in Pilsen, promotes early detection of illness, nutrition, and daily activity. They offer fitness classes to keep Chicago moving and educational resources on the leading diseases and health disparities in local communities.

My Block My Hood My City 

My Block My Hood My City is a social impact organization that provides exposure-based education programs for teens and a network of volunteer initiatives, serving Chicago communities year-round.

In recent efforts, My Block My Hood My City has met community needs by distributing care kits and PPE for seniors, organizing peaceful walks for black lives and better futures, coordinating food giveaways, and raising funds for small businesses impacted by looting, vandalism, and the coronavirus pandemic.

Sista Afya Community Mental Wellness

Sista Afya works to support and sustain mental wellness for Black women. They offer education and access to service providers through workshops, professional development opportunities, online resources, and events. Sista Ayfa offers low-cost or sliding-scale community support services, with individual therapy, group therapy, and support groups.

Black Healthcare & Medical Association

BHMA is Chicago-based and the leading global non-profit organization focused exclusively on the advancement of Black and African-American professionals (and their supporters) in the biotechnology, healthcare, medical, and pharmaceutical sectors. The leadership team includes executives from Boehringer Ingelheim, Cephalon, Daiichi Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Genentech, Hospira, J & J, Merck, Miltenyi Biotec, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, and Sanofi-Aventis.