EmPOWERED to Serve™
Structural racism is the overarching system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other norms perpetuate racial inequity.
About EmPOWERED to Serve
EmPOWERED to Serve is a platform inspired by American Heart Association volunteers around the country who are passionate about driving change through health justice and empowerment in their communities.
Communities need localized solutions that will help individuals and families escalate beyond poverty and achieve improved life outcomes. No one knows the changes needed in a community as well as the members themselves.
Get to know the 2021 Business Accelerator Candidates
Our 2021 candidates are busy learning how to grow their companies through EmPOWERED Business Accelerator training. On Oct. 21, they will present virtually for a chance to receive grant funding; up to $65,000 will be awarded.
Listen to Prathamesh Prabhudesai, safeBVM 2020 Business Accelerator runner-up and fan favorite, talk about the fan voting process and its positive impact on candidates and the accelerator.
Celebrate and Vaccinate
Stay Fuerte for All by protecting and empowering your loved ones to get the COVID-19 vaccine.
Everything you do is for your family and your community, aquí y allá.
You are a father, a mother, a sister, a son, a primo, an abuela, an amiga, o una Comadre. Everybody looks up to you, depends on you, and needs you feliz and strong.
Celebra y vacúnate
Mantente Fuerte Por Todos protegiendo y empoderando a tus seres queridos para aue se vacunen contra el COVID-19.
Todo lo que haces es por tu familia y tu comunidad, aquí y allá.
Eres un padre, una madre, una hermana, un hijo, un primo, una abuela, una amiga, o una Comadre. Todos te admiran, dependen de ti, y te necesitan feliz y fuerte.
Congratulations to the EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator - Oregon & SW Washington grant recipients!
Maya Page was awarded the first-place grant of $75,000 to support her project, the Carry App, which offers movement and meditation for pregnant people and new parents to reduce stress and increase the well-being of all parents.
The second-place grant for $30,000 was awarded to Candice Smith with Caregiven, a mobile app and web platform that empowers family caregivers as they provide support for loved ones following an injury, during illness, or as they age.
The $15,000 Fan Favorite award went to Tylia Johnson-Allen to support her project, Hands That Help, which works in the African American and BIPOC communities helping clients connect to resources.
Scholarship and Mentoring Opportunities
EmPOWERED Scholars
EmPOWERED to Serve™ offers college scholarships to students who are passionate about public health, health equity and community engagement, especially those in communities with fewer resources to help students manage financial aid and debt. Currently enrolled freshmen, sophomores and juniors in a U.S. college or university who are working to improve community well-being and have a 2.0 GPA or higher are eligible to apply.
HBCU Scholars Program
The AHA partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities to help students working toward professional degrees in the biomedical and health sciences. HBCU Scholars learn about the health of their communities, participate in research projects and explore varied career paths. Currently enrolled Black or African sophomores, juniors and seniors at select HBCUs who are highly motivated to seek careers in biomedical or health sciences and have a 3.2 GPA in the sciences are eligible to apply.
HSI Scholars Program
The AHA partners with Hispanic Serving Institutions of Higher Education and their students to create a pipeline for diverse researchers and health care professionals. Scholars are provided academic and career-enriching resources, including scholarships and mentoring. Currently enrolled sophomores, juniors and seniors at select HSIs who are highly motivated to seek careers in biomedical or health sciences and have a 3.0 GPA in the sciences are eligible to apply.
Ambassador Program
If you’re an activist, community leader, healthcare professional, young professional or social entrepreneur who’s helping lead the way through community-centered and culturally relevant solutions then we invite you to become an EmPOWERED to Serve Ambassador.
Business Accelerator?
The EmPOWERED to Serve Business Accelerator works with social entrepreneurs and organizations improving social determinants of health in their community, which are health risk factors, especially for underserved populations. Social determinants include, but are not limited to, race bias, income, education, stress, pollution, housing availability, transportation and access to healthy foods.
This MBA-style business training program offers virtual education for all finalists and grant funding.
Topics for business accelerator program applications include (but are not limited to):
- Food access
- Employment
- Affordable housing
The application window is open until Aug. 31, 2020.
Meet the 2020 EmPOWERED Scholars
The 2020 EmPOWERED to Serve Scholars are agents of change within their communities. These college freshmen, sophomores, and juniors each receive $10,000 to bring their visionary ideas to life, helping ensure everyone has a fair and just opportunity to be healthy.
Community Education
Our tools support you as you journey toward improving your health and the health of those in your community.
EmPOWERING headlines
News, stories and videos that impact your well-being.
Read more Health Equity HeadlinesHealth Equity in the Workplace
The American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable is working to eliminate workplace inequities that harm the health and well-being of employees, businesses and communities. The Roundtable’s new report, developed by business leaders and health experts, provides actionable strategies and principles employers can use to build toward health equity.
Scientific Statements and Joint Resolutions
- What does the life – and death – of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery mean for the health of Blacks in America?
- Joint statement on health equity, social justice and civil unrest from the Association of Black Cardiologists, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology
- COVID-19 has unmasked significant health disparities in the U.S.; essay on behalf of the Association of Black Cardiologists suggests solutions
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Housing conditions affect cardiovascular health risks
American Heart Association Scientific Statement - New Trump administration rule is a major setback for health equity
Social Determinants of Health Policy and Position Statements: Housing
Watch EmPOWERED to Serve in Action
Videos that reflect the powerful impact EmPOWERED to Serve has in the community.
Stories that transform the world in which we live.-
Community Transformation Roundtable | Renowned business leaders, community leaders, philanthropists and volunteers engage in a lively, meaningful discussion about transforming communities and removing health barriers through faith, finance and business.
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Health Justice Roundtable | Scholars from our EmPOWERED to Serve and HBCU Scholars program engage in a lively, meaningful conversation about breaking down barriers to health, structural racism and how to make the world better.
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Transforming communities through faith finance and business | Join the continued conversation on community transformation, prioritizing investments in under-resourced communities.
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Second Empowered and Well Virtual Town Hall | Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, Dr. Jennifer Ellis, Pastor Sonjia Dickerson and Pastor Hosea Collins convened to continue the conversation about the impact of COVID-19 on our communities and what we can do to advocate for healthier, more equitable policies.
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Inaugural Virtual Faith Community Town Hall meeting with Dr. Eduardo Sanchez, the AHA’s chief medical officer for prevention, and Pastor Sonjia B. Dickerson of Dayspring Family Church in Dallas.
Sign up to receive the EmPOWERED to Serve e-newsletter.
EmPOWERED to Serve seeks to improve health outcomes and reduce the gap in health disparities among minorities in multicultural communities.
If you are interested learning more about our work in community activism, community health education, and social justice for historically under-resourced communities, we invite you to sign up for the EmPOWERED to Serve e-newsletter.