Black History Month 2022

Black History Month 2022 started on Tuesday, February 1. This year's theme is “Black Health and Wellness,” honoring the legacy and contributions of Black scholars and medical practitioners in America and globally. Black History Month is as important as ever: we must continually reflect, learn from history, and actively advance racial justice today.

A mural in downtown Eugene, featuring a simple portrait of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. next to the phrase "Black Lives Matter." — A close-up of part of the Coleman Center Mural Project in the Friendly Street Neighborhood of Eugene, featuring a simple portrait of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. next to the phrase "Black Lives Matter."

Black Health and Wellness in the U.S.

Black communities have historically been underrepresented and underserved by the medical system in America. Today, communities of color are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, with Black Americans being nearly four times as likely to die of COVID-19 than white Americans, according to the report “Insights on racial and ethnic health inequity in the context of COVID-19.” The report further shows overall inequities in the medical system for people of color: while Black people make up 12% of the general population, only 5% of physicians in the United States are Black. 32% of Black Americans have reported being personally discriminated against when going to the doctor or health clinic, and 65% of Black patients have reported that a doctor of the same race would understand their concerns best.

“Health equity is achieved when every person has the opportunity to attain his or her full health potential and no one is disadvantaged from achieving this potential because of social position or other socially determined circumstances.”

— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

United Way’s Anti-Racism Work

At United Way of Lane County, we are constantly assessing and adapting how to better center equity and inclusion in our work of building more just, resilient communities where every child thrives. Below are a few of our initiatives specifically addressing racial inequity and advancing racial justice locally:

To address disparities for Black students in our local education systems, United Way partners with the Lane Education Service District to facilitate the Black Early Learning program, a program of the Lane African American/Black Student Success project. These programs offer one-on-one support to Black students and their parents, to achieve the vision of an equitable education system in Lane County.

“Growing up a bi-racial Black woman in Eugene, I never thought I would have a job specific to race equity. I was often the only or one of very few people of color at school and work. So I am excited that Oregon is specifically putting money into closing the achievement gap of Black kids like me. ...Programs like Black Early Learning and the school-aged Lane African American/Black Student Success program are making a difference in the self-esteem and wellbeing of the Black youth in our community.”

— Ayanna Moriguchi, Early Learning Program Coordinator, United Way of Lane County and Lane African American/Black Student Success

Ayanna Moriguchi handing out free books at an NAACP event in Lane County.

Recognizing that communities of color have long been underinvested in, United Way of Lane County recently launched a new Racial Justice Fund. It is led by an advisory council of local leaders of color, and will be informed by listening sessions and conversations with people of color across Lane County in coming months. Through the Racial Justice Fund, United Way is committing substantial resources to organizations and causes explicitly helping communities of color build power, influence, access, and wealth.

A still image of Alma Fumiko Hesus from United Way's Racial Justice Fund video. Alma is wearing a black blazer and a blue "Live United" tee-shirt, and is standing in front of the Coleman Center murals.

“By ensuring funding decisions are being made by those who know the needs and solutions best, we can help improve outcomes for every person in Lane County.”

— Alma Fumiko Hesus, Director of Individual Giving, United Way of Lane County

The Live Healthy Lane 2021-25 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHP) aims to improve the health and wellness of all people in Lane County, with one key strategy focused on the transformation of “current institutions, policies and resource allocations that perpetuate racism in order to correct current and historical injustices and ensure equity in the future.” Learn more about the CHP, and United Way’s role as the backbone for Live Healthy Lane, here.

This Black History Month, we invite you to find meaningful ways to celebrate and invest in Black communities locally. Donate to the Racial Justice Fund, read resources and find local events linked below, stay up to date with volunteer opportunities, and join us as we continue advancing racial justice.