For Immediate Release
NEW YORK – Race Forward announced today that it will host the American Medical Association’s (AMA) National Health Equity Grand Rounds panel conversation during the Facing Race conference on November 21 in St. Louis. The National Health Equity Grand Rounds aims to deepen understanding of health inequities, shape national discourse, and outline strategies to improve the nation’s health.
The AMA, along with other organizations including the Missouri Foundation for Health, serves as a Trailblazer Sponsor for this year’s Facing Race conference—which is the nation’s largest multiracial, multi-disciplinary and intergenerational racial justice convening with more than 4,000 expected attendees.
“We are pleased to have the AMA bring this focus on health equity to Facing Race. Their systemic approach to addressing inequities across the health care ecosystem aligns with our theory of change to transform and equip systems to advance racial equity,” said Race Forward President Glenn Harris. “We are also pleased to have the AMA as a Trailblazer Sponsor for our event. Their participation at this level is yet another testimony to the organization’s commitment to advancing health equity.”
The National Health Equity Grand Rounds will be accessible in-person and virtually during Facing Race on Nov. 21 from 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CT. Under the theme “Rewrite the Script: Narrative Transformation for Equity in Health,” the session will showcase national thought leaders from diverse backgrounds—including physicians, writers, artists, and digital media experts—sharing insights on how we can challenge harmful narratives and reshape our approach to health.
The panel will open with a keynote from Rinku Sen, MS, Executive Director for the Narrative Initiative, and continue with a conversation including Emmy-nominated producer, writer and physician Mehret Mandefro, MD, PhD; Google Health’s Global Lead for Healthcare and Public Health Garth Graham MD, MPH; Bay Love, MBA, a principal at the Groundwater Institute and lifelong civil rights organizer whose career began in healthcare at a federally qualified health center, and Michelle Browder, the multi-hyphenate innovator, entrepreneur and artist who created the “Mothers of Gynecology” monument and park in Montgomery, Alabama. The AMA will also host arts-based experiences for conference attendees in the exhibit hall and atrium, with artworks and engagements created by Michelle Browder and Laolu Senbanjo, a Nigerian bred, Brooklyn based multidisciplinary artist, around the theme ‘Health Justice is our Co-Creation’.”
“We are excited to curate this unique space for cross-cultural collaboration,” Harris said.
In addition to the Grand Rounds, attendees will have the opportunity to interact with leaders within the racial justice movement during breakout sessions, plenaries, and a keynote address from MSNBC Host and author Joy Reid.
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About Facing Race:
Throughout its 17-year history, Facing Race has been a one-of-a-kind space that allows community organizers, activists, and movement makers from across the country to meet up, build strategies for advancing racial justice, and receive inspiration for the work ahead. To learn more about Facing Race, visit facingrace.raceforward.org
