Health Equity & Justice

We are committed to building new, decolonized health and wellness systems that reconnect afro-indigenous people with ancestral practices, that are the key to intergenerational healing from racism and structural barriers.

Systemic barriers and discriminatory practices have led to Black Americans being 1.5 to 2.0 times more likely to develop multiple major chronic health conditions. Black Americans are also 20% more likely to experience mental health challenges, impacting the immune system and increasing susceptibility to disease. Moreover, economic disadvantage, inequities in education, and lack of access to health care, all hinder one’s ability to lead a healthy life.

The approaches that are meant to address these inequities – Medical research, diagnosis and clinical management – have all been entrenched in generations of structural racism and unconscious bias, as well. This has led to an inability of westernized healthcare services to adequately and appropriately support people of color in their healing and wellness, and ultimately a deep distrust of healthcare institutions.

We must recognize that intergenerational racism and structural barriers have caused, and continue to cause, psychological distress and inequitable health outcomes. To rectify and repair, we must work directly with afro-indigenous communities to support authentic and effective healing grounded in afro-indigenous health and wellness practices.

Health equity is achieved when all people have a fair and just opportunity to achieve healthy body, mind, and spirit. Achieving health equity requires more than removing social, economic, contextual, and systemic barriers to healthcare. We need to look at the ways in which afro-indigenous health and wellness have been white-washed, erased, undermined, and ridiculed, in favor of westernized forms of care that is built on a history of exclusion and experimentation on afro-indigneous bodies.

Our Health Equity Initiatives

At Righteous Rage Institute, we are committed to building new, decolonized health and wellness systems that reconnect afro-indigenous people with ancestral practices that are the key to intergenerational healing from racism and structural barriers that have caused, and continue to cause, psychological distress and inequitable health outcomes.

COMMUNITY HEALING RETREATS AND CHALLENGES

Our Healing retreats provide participants with an opportunity to detach from their day-to-day patterns and gain either an introduction or deeper dive into healing modalities. RRI provides healing retreats completely free of cost to afro-indigenous community members, inspiring them on their healing journey, and giving them a chance to learn about and sample a variety of healing modalities to incorporate into their practices.

We offer a wide variety of retreats, including some with special themes or affinity spaces. We also have classes and special programs specifically designed to engage affinity groups like Black LGBTQ+ teens. We partner with a network of holistic health practitioners that lead yoga, massage therapy, tai chi, acupuncture, reiki, meditation, breath work, African ritual, and energy healing work. These practitioners offer their gifts and services during the retreats, giving participants a chance to sample various practices.

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR HEALING

The 10-City Tour

'To Heal A People' is taking community healing on the road.

Hot off the success of our 'Black People Breathe' retreat series, we're inviting Afro-Indigenous Americans from all over the country to experience this powerful, community-led approach to health, healing, and cultural wealth.

In 2023, we'll be mobilizing our network of healing practitioners, counselors, and community organizers to visit different cities around the U.S., hosting two-day workshops that center Black voices and communities in their unique journey of reclaiming their wellness.

HEALERS NETWORK

Our Healers Network is a community of healthcare practitioners who provide subsidized access to services that build mental, physical, and spiritual wellness.

Our network includes 30+ health practitioners whose specialties include Herbalism, Acupuncture, Psychotherapy, Qigong, Traditional Wisdom from Elders, Yoga, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Registered Massage Therapy, Sound Healing.

ONLINE COMMUNITY

When we come together to heal one another, that's when magic occurs. To Heal A People is a community for People-of-Culture who have experienced increased stress, pain, and illness as a result of the racism, bias, and discrimination faced every day in America. We host retreats, workshops, and ongoing challenges to create more ways for our growing community to connect, foster lasting relationships, and ultimately commit to healthy habits and lifestyle changes.