By Trish Svoboda

As part of its mission to make Kansas a leader in health, the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) is establishing a long-term partnership with 30 organizations in the state to address issues related to racial equity.

Known as the Building Power and Equity Partnership (BPEP), this initiative aims to collaborate with grassroots and mission-driven organizations that are dedicated to addressing health inequalities in Kansas. This marks the largest single investment in racial equity in KHF’s history, with a potential investment of $30 million over the next 10 years.

As well as grant funding, these organizations will have access to training, external expertise, and third-party services to support their growth and development, improving the impact they have handling issues of equity and justice.

The leaders of this initiative are KHF community impact officers Valerie Black and Juston White.

The 30 organizations partnering with KHF include:

· Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation

· Alce su Voz at Wichita State University

· Black Entrepreneurs of the Flint Hills

· Community Housing of Wyandotte County

· Common Ground Producers and Growers

· Create Campaign

· Destination Innovation

· Emporia Spanish Speakers

· Empower Evergreen

· Fort Hays State University: Diversity and Inclusion

· Garden City Community College: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging

· Groundwork Northeast Revitalization Group

· Hope Community Development Corporation

· Kansas Birth Justice Society

· Kansas Black Farmers Association

· Kansas Family Advisory Network

· Kansas Latino Community Network

· Loud Light

· Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE2)

· Mt. Carmel Redevelopment Corporation

· Omni Circle Group

· Pittsburg State University: Office of Inclusion and Belonging

· Rosedale Development Association

· Salud + Bienestar

· SENT Topeka

· Suburban Balance

· The Black MasterMind Group Charitable Foundation

· The Hub Argentine

· The Neighboring Movement

· The Toolbox