BLKHLTH CARES

Empowering a new generation of health equity leaders

A fellowship that empowers emerging leaders with the advocacy skills, mentorship, and real-world engagement needed to drive racial health equity in their communities.

NOW OPEN TO ALUMNI

THE BLKHLTH CARES PUBLIC NARRATIVE MINIGRANT

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At BLKHLTH, we believe young people are essential to building a future where health equity is the norm, not the exception.

BLKHLTH CARES (Community Advocacy for Racial Equity School) is our transformative fellowship program created to equip young adults with the tools to advocate for change in their communities.

Our program blends antiracism education, advocacy training, and real-world practice. Fellows connect with experts, community leaders, and peers while developing advocacy projects that turn learning into action.

We’re cultivating a generation of advocates ready to create a healthier, more equitable future for all.

Program Overview

The BLKHLTH CARES fellowship is a hybrid program that blends virtual and in-person learning to equip participants with tools to advance racial equity. Fellows engage in courses on antiracism, advocacy, and organizing, paired with mentorship and hands-on experiences that build confidence to drive systemic change.

Since its launch, CARES has trained cohorts in Atlanta and Washington, D.C., with curriculum contextualized to each city’s history, culture, and needs. This place-based approach grounds fellows in the realities of their communities while equipping them with strategies that resonate nationally.

CARES Fellows in action

The 2025 HBCU CARES Health Equity Advocacy Agenda is a student-led roadmap outlining concrete policy and campus actions to strengthen health conditions on and around Georgia’s HBCUs.

Explore the agenda to see what HBCU students are calling for and how you can take action alongside them.

Explore the Agenda

Nearly one in four young people in Georgia live with an emotional, behavioral, or developmental condition. Yet access to care remains out of reach for far too many. Communities across the state face deep shortages of mental health providers, ongoing hospital closures, and long-standing underinvestment in mental health infrastructure. Black youth and other marginalized young people bear the greatest burden, too often left without the resources and care they need to heal, grow, and thrive.

To meet this urgent need, BLKHLTH CARES is launching our next cohort focused on youth mental health advocacy across Georgia. This yearlong fellowship will bring together young adults (ages 18–24) who are passionate about mental wellness, racial justice, and strengthening mental health systems for their communities.

Applications for BLKHLTH CARES are currently closed. Join our mailing list and follow us on social media to be the first to know when the next cohort begins recruiting.

Building Youth Power for Mental Health Equity in Georgia

  • This cohort is open to young adults who are ready to learn, lead, and advocate for change in their communities.

    To apply, you must:

    • Be between the ages of 18 and 24

    • Live in Georgia

    • Be interested in a career related to mental health, such as: public health practitioner, physician, nurse, physician assistant, doula, psychologist, social worker, counselor, therapist, health researcher, health educator, pharmacist, community health worker, case manager, mental health aide, or certified peer specialist

    • Be committed to advancing racial justice and health equity for Black and other marginalized communities in Georgia

    No previous advocacy or professional experience is required. We are looking for curious, motivated young adults who want to grow their leadership and make a real impact.

  • The fellowship runs for one year, with an estimated time commitment of up to 5 hours per month.

    Fellows take part in monthly virtual sessions and several in-person opportunities, including Advocacy Day, peer-to-peer mental health experiences, and social mixers.

  • Fellows who complete all program requirements receive a $750 stipend in recognition of their time and commitment. The fellowship is an educational and leadership-building experience and is not intended to replace employment.

watch our informational session

Want to learn more before you apply?


Watch our Informational Session to hear directly from the BLKHLTH team about what the fellowship offers, what to expect, and how to make your application stand out.

Fellowship Benefits

What You’ll Walk Away With

  • 🧠 Immersive Learning

    Hands-on projects designed to build your real-world knowledge and confidence.

  • 🤝🏾 Mentorship & Exposure

    Connect with leading racial health equity advocates and professionals in your city.

  • 🌍 Community Engagement

    Collaborate with local health organizations and coalitions making change on the ground.

  • 📣 Advocacy Skill-Building

    Get tools, training, and support to strengthen your voice and impact.

  • 💰 Paid Participation

    Receive a stipend for your time and contributions to the program.

BLKHLTH CARES Steering Committee

This fellowship is shaped by a steering committee of trusted leaders in public health, racial justice, and community care.

  • Nathaniel Benjamin

  • Robyn N. Bussey

  • Marline D. Edmond

  • Opal Gay

  • Venice Haynes

  • Gabrielle Jones

  • Gera King

  • Monica Ponder

Have questions about BLKHLTH CARES?

Contact Us

Stay informed about upcoming cohorts and application dates by following us on social media, where you can join the conversation and be part of a community committed to advancing racial health equity.

Partners

BLKHLTH CARES is supported by the Georgia Health Initiative and the Communities in Action for Health Equity grant program, launched by the Pfizer Multicultural Health Equity Collective (The Collective) and Institute of Translational Equitable Medicine (ITEM).

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