To eradicate health disparities for African Americans by influencing health policy and practice through community engagement, advocacy, research and education.
Current Programs & Events
We Support Health & Wellness
At GRAAHI we are driven to enhance the lives of our community because we ARE the community. We use our personal experiences, our education, and our passion to help improve health outcomes, create more equitable systems, and advocate for the underserved…because everyone deserves a chance at a healthy life.
GRAAHI has made a significant impact on the health of African Americans in Grand Rapids. Since our founding in 2002, we have:
Led advocacy campaigns that have supported millions in funding to foster better health outcomes
Provided health education and resources to over 100,000 local residents.
Developed a health equity index that includes data on health disparities and recommendations
Provided Health Guidance to More than 400,000 Community Members
Created awareness on infant and maternal health, which led to the creation of Strong Beginnings.
Initiated a collaborative Pathways initiative to increase diverse leaders in the healthcare sector.
Partnered with more than 100 community organizations to improve the health of African Americans.
We Foster Learning
Our Education outreach includes creating pathways to careers in healthcare for students of color and working with K-12 and Higher Education Institutions to help create accessible opportunities. Our partnerships with other organizations help us create community-based workshops, clinics, and learning opportunities to increase health literacy and engagement.
This initiative, launched by GRAAHI with grant funding from the State of Michigan, aims to bridge the gap towards equitable healthcare in the Grand Rapids African American community. Partnering with Infinity Consultation Group (ICG), we conducted free training sessions on community resilience, cultural humility, and cultural autobiography. Additionally, focus groups with Kent County residents provided valuable insights into key barriers, experiences, and feedback on healthcare systems. This website serves as a central hub for these resources and showcases our collective efforts to make healthcare more accessible and culturally responsive for all.