FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Calle Andrus, Communications Manager
216.916.6434 | calle.andrus@ideastream.org
Ideastream Public Media Awards Grants Totaling More Than $96,000 to 16 Community Members and Organizations to Advance Health Equity in Northeast Ohio
“Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health” Project Raises Awareness About Racism as a Public Health Crisis
CLEVELAND, Ohio (December 7, 2021) — It is no secret that Black and brown Northeast Ohioans continue to suffer from many chronic health problems at higher rates than whites. Systemic issues such as, poverty, stress, pollution, lead poisoning in housing and lack of access to medical care and insurance are factors contributing to health issues for Black and Hispanic residents.
While many local governments and healthcare providers are now declaring they are ready to change the systems that perpetuate these racial biases, Ideastream Public Media is also shifting how its journalists report on racism, lack of investment in minority communities and health disparities. For many years, efforts to improve the health of people in minority groups have focused on changing behaviors. Ideastream Public Media’s new reporting project “Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health” takes a different approach by seeking to create community conversations about barriers that influence health.
To develop these conversations and advance racial equity in the region, Ideastream Public Media is providing financial support totaling $96,450 to 16 Northeast Ohio community members and organizations. The funds will allow the selected groups to develop a variety of journalistic and educational initiatives to demonstrate how racism contributes to poor health outcomes. By partnering with these groups, Ideastream Public Media has the opportunity to expand the reach of the “Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health” project to new audiences and underserved communities. The funds for the awarded grants were made possible by a grant given to Ideastream Public Media from the Dr. Donald J. and Ruth Weber Goodman Philanthropic Fund of the Cleveland Foundation.
The grant funded projects are focused on:
- Raising awareness about the connection between racism and health
- Raising awareness about potential solutions
- Empowering people to act to eliminate health disparities
- Holding government and healthcare officials accountable for addressing the root of the health issues and creating equality in Northeast Ohio
In order to gather grant applications from interested parties, Ideastream Public Media issued a “Call for Ideas” to the community through ideastream.org, social media and radio broadcast on WCPN. This call asked individuals and community groups to submit creative ideas to help raise awareness about the connection between racism and poor health in Northeast Ohio. Applicants whose submissions best met the mission and goals of the project were selected by Ideastream Public Media to receive grants.
“The ‘Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health’ project enables us to advance community conversations about breaking down the historic barriers that continue to perpetuate health disparities in Greater Cleveland. We are pleased to be partnering with so many passionate groups to explore equitable solutions through journalism-based initiatives and community engagement events,” said Marlene Harris-Taylor, managing producer of Ideastream Public Media’s health team, who is leading this effort.
The following community members and organizations were awarded grants. Their funded projects are set to be completed by March 2023.
- Cynthia Bailie, Development Manager at The Land, Health Equity Reporting and Community Outreach Initiative
- Jasmine Golphin, Independent Filmmaker and Creative Writer, “Sum Total” Project, which takes a holistic look at all the disparities faced by people of color
- Betty Halliburton, Independent Television Producer, “Out of Despair” Virtual Series, which covers health disparities
- Zachery Williams, Public Policy Director at Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition, Anti-Racism Community Town Hall Conversations
- Ebonie Randle, Community Advocate at Shalom & Tranquility Community Garden, “Urban Farmer” Project, which focuses on food deserts in Old Brooklyn
- Heather Rice, Professor and Researcher at Cleveland State University, Photovoice Project, which focuses on infant mortality in Cleveland
- Sandra Bishop, Podcast Producer, “Making the Connection” Podcast
- Lawna Gamble, Art Therapist and Business Owner, “Celebrate Me Workshops,” that uses art and healing circles to provide a safe space to explore the impact of racism on people of color
- Laura Hammel, Board Member at Leg Up for Cleveland’s Kids, Develop Curriculum for Cleveland Metropolitan School District High School Students on Unconscious Bias
- Karin Rice, Senior News Editor at FreshWater Cleveland, Series About Identifying Solutions to Racism as a Public Health Crisis
- Rhonda Crowder, Freelance Journalist, Digital News Stories focused on Racism as a Public Health Crisis
- Sydney Kornegay, Director of Adult Programming at Refugee Response, Health Disparities in Cleveland’s East African Community Reporting Project
- Greater Cleveland Association of Black Journalists, Racism as a Public Health Crisis Community Forum
- H.L. Comeriato & Conor Morris, Journalists, Digital Series on Asthma Rates and Air Pollution in Underserved Communities
- Gregory Lockhart, Independent Producer, Video Segments About Racism as a Public Health Crisis
- Valerie Grace, Marketing Director at First Year Cleveland, “Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story” Film Screening and Panel Discussion
For more information about “Connecting the Dots Between Race and Health,” visit ideastream.org/connectingthedots.
About Ideastream Public Media
Ideastream Public Media is Northeast Ohio’s multimedia source for trusted local journalism, inspiring stories and quality entertainment. We are the home of Northeast Ohio’s PBS, NPR and classical music public broadcasting stations: WVIZ, WCPN and WCLV. In addition, Ideastream Public Media operates NPR member station WKSU, manages The Ohio Channel and the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau on behalf of all Ohio’s public broadcasting stations and produces the award-winning children’s series “NewsDepth.” Ideastream Public Media is indispensable and highly valued for its unique ability to strengthen our community. For more information about Ideastream Public Media’s rich legacy of innovation and credible content, visit ideastream.org.
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