Better Together’s Post

During our Uplift Social Equity campaign, which we shot in December 2023 in Madrid, I had the privilege of joining nine inspiring colleagues (Aline Bravo, Andreas Gelke, Eumery Diop, Kamilah Abdul, Léon Rodenberg, Lisa Hawich, Pegah Moshir Pour, Gian Andrea Kollegger) to share our personal stories. This journey allowed us to open up, connect on a deeper level, and build empathy—key ingredients for driving meaningful change in our workplaces and communities. This campaign is more than just a collection of experiences; it’s an invitation to see the world through a different lens. It challenges us to question assumptions, confront biases, and build bridges of understanding. By sharing my story, I hope to inspire others to reflect, engage in important conversations, and embrace the richness of their own unique identities, while nurturing an environment where everyone can truly thrive. Cultural changes have the power to transform us at our core. They push us to step outside our comfort zones, opening our hearts and minds to perspectives we might never have considered. In doing so, they foster compassion and deepen our connections, reminding us that change is not something to fear, but something to embrace. Through this journey, we learn not just who we are, but who we can become—together. Let’s continue to create spaces where everyone feels free to be their authentic selves, where diversity is celebrated, and where we all grow stronger in unity. You can find all our stories here and explore Social Equity: https://lnkd.in/e5zJh7Gu A heartfelt thank you to Doriana De Benedictis, Ev Bangemann, and Désirée van der Lugt for the incredible opportunity to participate in this campaign, and to Ed Luker for his amazing work during the shoot.   #SocialEquity #Inclusion #Diversity #Storytelling #UpliftCampaign

This week, we're celebrating the extraordinary journeys of some of our Women in Innovation award winners who are breaking boundaries, unlocking transformative investment, and expanding into new markets. This is the first in a series of stories celebrating previous Innovate UK Women in Innovation Award winners. Future collections will focus on common themes, from community and connection to further investment and new markets. Claire Trant PhD FRSA – Untap Health ✨ Claire offers large-scale community health monitoring, which can detect viral outbreaks before the community has even become symptomatic. Chantal Epp FRSA – ClicknClear ✨ Chantal is redefining music licensing for choregraphed sports. By expanding her business globally, she is providing solutions benefit both sports teams and the music industry. Lisa Edge – GB Shared ✨ Lisa is empowering communities and businesses across the UK, by scaling her collaborative platform into new regions, fostering sustainable economies and connections. Dr Chen Mao Davies – Anya ✨ Chen’s groundbreaking breastfeeding and early parenting app is reaching families worldwide, transforming access to support and education. These women demonstrate how adaptability and strategic investment can drive impact on a global scale. Their business journeys demonstrate the power of innovation to fuel growth and create meaningful change. Discover their stories: https://lnkd.in/g2eRjety #WomenInInnovation #InnovationLeaders #Investment #NewMarkets #GlobalImpact #BreakingBoundries #WomenInnovate

Harnessing Data for Impact: The Role of DRS in the Great Green Wall Initiative 🌍 I’m excited to share insights on how the Data Reporting System (DRS) can transform our approach to monetary tracking and evaluation within the Great Green Wall initiative, especially for empowering women and children. 🔍 Why DRS? The DRS is more than just a data collection tool; it’s a powerful mechanism for ensuring transparency, accountability, and informed decision-making. By prioritizing women and children, we can create targeted interventions that lead to sustainable change. 💡 Key Benefits: Real-Time Financial Tracking: With DRS, we can monitor budget allocations and expenditures in real-time, ensuring that resources are directed where they are needed most—empowering women and enhancing children's education and health. Gender-Sensitive Indicators: The system allows us to develop specific indicators that measure the impact on women and children, providing valuable insights into their access to resources and participation in community initiatives. Impact Visualization: Utilizing visualization tools, we can easily communicate progress and outcomes to stakeholders, fostering greater collaboration and support for our programs. Community Engagement: By involving women and youth in data collection and analysis, we strengthen their capacity and ensure that their voices are heard in shaping policies and programs. 📈 A Call to Action: Let’s leverage the DRS to create a more inclusive and effective approach to the Great Green Wall initiative. Together, we can drive meaningful change that prioritizes women's and children's needs, ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for all. 💬 Join the Conversation: I invite fellow professionals, advocates, and stakeholders to share your thoughts on how data can empower communities. How can we further enhance our approaches to ensure that women and children are at the forefront of our initiatives? #GreatGreenWall #DataForChange #WomenEmpowerment #ChildrensRights #Sustainability #MonitoringAndEvaluation

I don’t mean to disrupt the peace on this fine Thursday morning, but remember a few years ago when inclusivity was all the rage and everyone seemed eager to jump on the bandwagon? Let’s be honest—it was nauseating because, as we’ve since seen, much of it turned out to be performative. For those of us who saw through the glaring hypocrisy, it was clear that true inclusivity demands effort—a lot of it. It's messy, complex, and far from the simplistic approaches some organizations adopted, which often revealed how surface-level their commitment really was. I want to take a moment to highlight one organization that fully embraced the messiness of authentic inclusivity. I'll touch on a few key elements of their approach, but they've been generous enough to document their entire process. You’ll find the link in the comments. Earlier this week, we facilitated our final session of 2024 with the leadership and board at Centretown Community Health Centre. This retrospective offered an opportunity to reflect on their strategic plan—not just to look back, but to anchor the present and imagine the future. Here’s what stood out in the process: ✨️ CCHC grounded their process in Design Justice principles, which don’t just invite voices to the table but center them. This meant engaging those whose lives are most deeply shaped by the barriers the organization aims to dismantle. It’s a reminder that meaningful inclusion isn’t about adding perspectives—it’s about shifting power. ✨️ The Strategic Planning Committee included 7 community advisors—people whose insights weren’t theoretical but lived. Their participation wasn’t tokenistic. It was paid, supported, and woven into the decision-making. What happens when we move from consulting communities to collaborating with them? ✨️ Rather than approaching equity as a catch-all, CCHC identified specific populations to prioritize in the plan. One example: the intentional focus on newcomers, recognizing how intersecting challenges like language barriers and systemic inequities shape their access to care. This was an acknowledgment that equity requires specificity and a willingness to act on the hardest truths. ✨️ Listening sessions invited not just staff and partners but also community members and asked hard questions: What’s working? What’s not? What solutions already exist within the community, waiting to be amplified? The result was a collective vision that reflected the complexity of the challenges. ----- Of course each process looks different for each organization but I'll leave you with the following questions: What if planning isn’t about charting a path forward but about deepening accountability to the communities we serve? What if it’s not about creating solutions but honoring the ones already in motion? ...and, perhaps most importantly, what would it take to embrace the messiness of authentic inclusivity in your context? #facilitation #facilitator #planning #strategic #change

Hey everyone! Today, let’s explore how community outreach plays a key role in promoting women's health. It’s all about coming together and making a difference! 💪✨ 1️⃣ Education and Awareness: Community outreach spreads crucial health information, helping women understand and take charge of their health. Knowledge is power! 📚💡 2️⃣ Access to Resources: Outreach programs connect women with essential health resources, from free screenings to wellness workshops. Everyone deserves access to care! 🏥📈 3️⃣ Support Networks: Building a strong support system through community groups empowers women to share experiences and support each other. We're stronger together! 🤝❤️ 4️⃣ Breaking Stigmas: Community initiatives help break down health-related stigmas, encouraging women to seek help without fear of judgment. Let’s normalize health conversations! 🗣️🚫 5️⃣ Promoting Preventive Care: Outreach emphasizes the importance of preventive care, guiding women to regular check-ups and early detection. Prevention is better than cure! 🩺🔍 6️⃣ Tailored Programs: Creating programs that cater to the unique needs of women in different communities ensures no one is left behind. Every woman’s health matters! 🌍👩🦱👩🦳 7️⃣ Empowerment Through Education: Empowering women with knowledge and resources leads to healthier communities. Educated women make informed health choices! 🧠💪 Community outreach is essential for promoting women's health and creating a supportive environment. Let’s come together to empower every woman to lead a healthy and fulfilling life! 🌸🌟 #WomensHealth #CommunityOutreach #Empowerment #HealthPromotion #SupportEachOther #StrongerTogether #WellnessJourney

To truly master the art of connection and become fluent in human, we must fully immerse ourselves in the experiences and stories of those we wish to engage. This is particularly crucial when interacting with the vibrant LatinX community, where identity is not just a backdrop but a proud declaration of presence and power. UNC Health's two-day event exemplifies this deep engagement, focusing on enhancing the Hispanic experience by celebrating and embedding cultural awareness into every aspect of its operations. Sessions like "ERG Excellence: The Key to Unlock Growth" and "Elevating Equity and Inclusion for the Hispanic Community at UNC Health" have not only highlighted best practices but have significantly shaped the professional environment. These initiatives have produced remarkable outcomes, including an enhanced understanding of Hispanic cultural competencies and the strategic integration of inclusivity into core strategies. By recognizing the essential role of the Hispanic market in driving growth and innovation, UNC Health has created a truly inclusive environment that: → Supports everyone → Uplifts all employees → And empowers a whole segment of society to thrive Engagement with the LatinX community, therefore, must be rooted in: → Respect → Celebration → And active participation in their narrative It’s about: → Listening deeply → Sharing authentically → And showing up wholeheartedly Commitment to these principles is not just setting a standard; it's paving a pathway toward a more inclusive and dynamic future. Recognizing the significant power of the LatinX community's identity is key. This community takes pride in who they are, and companies that truly embrace this will attract and retain top talent. Let's learn from UNC Health's effective models: 👉🏽 By valuing and celebrating the rich identities of the LatinX community, we not only build bridges but also strengthen our organizations with the diversity of thought and experience they bring to the table. To find more insightful case-studies, download my FREE research paper, "Elevating the Hispanic Experience: Actionable Strategies for Workplace Transformation" https://lnkd.in/eMv47tih

Connection via a volunteer event is much more impactul for a team rather than happy hours. I have learned so much about my co workers sorting canned goods, cutting watermelon and coaching women which in return allows for more comfort reaching out for help on the team. As my friend Heather Geronemus says don't give back just give! Research shows proof - if you need it. My proof is in my experiences. Research shows that volunteer participation is highly effective in improving employee well-being. https://ukg.inc/3ZFMR4e

Women's History Month Day 10 of 31: Wise Words from Wise Women Today, we're happy to share a 30 second Q&A with Ashka Shah who is a graduate student at UNC Gillings School of Global Public Health and long-time toth shop friend. toth shop: In less than 10 words, what’s ONE piece of advice would you give to young women today? Ashka Shah: “Before proving yourself to society, prove it to yourself first.” ts: What’s your proudest moment or accomplishment?   AS: “When I felt that what I was providing to the table was not valued or compensated accordingly, I was not afraid to walk away.” ts:  What’s one thing about you or your career that you’d like the world to know?   AS: “As a future Registered Dietitian (RD), many people assume that RDs just tell people what to eat. However, RDs can impact more than just personal dietary habits. RDs can influence policies, corporations, schools, and healthcare organizations to improve crucial health choices and issues across the world.” Ashka will graduate this May and then she will take the Registered Dietitian exam. Follow along with her journey (and snag some helpful health tips) on her Instagram page, linked in the comments. #womenshistorymonth #womenempowerment #womeninbusiness #women

🌍 Reaching People Where They Are: Customized Inclusion in Action 🌍 At GW Health PR, we believe that authentic communication starts with meeting people where they are—culturally, contextually, and personally. Our approach to Customized Inclusion is more than just a philosophy; it’s a practice rooted in real-world engagement and trust-building. Here’s how we bring this to life: ✅ Local Partnerships: We work with trusted community organizations, including local health advocacy groups, churches, and grassroots organizations, to ensure messages are delivered through channels that resonate with the people we aim to serve. ✅ Faith-Based Engagement: Churches and places of worship are central to many communities, especially within the Black community. By utilizing parish newsletters, church announcements, and health fairs, we ensure our messages reach people in spaces where they feel most at ease. ✅ The Black Health Insiders Network: Our proprietary network spans Black men and women across demographics—from blue-collar workers to C-suite leaders. This network ensures our strategies, creative, and media approaches are informed by authentic, lived experiences. ✅ Community Events and Workshops: From town hall discussions and barbershop health talks to pop-up clinics in rural and underserved neighborhoods, we prioritize direct engagement that literally meets people where they are. ✅ Culturally Resonant Media: Partnering with local and regional outlets like Black-owned newspapers and Spanish-language radio allows us to deliver messages in ways that align with the cultural values of diverse audiences. ✅ Social Media Micro-Targeting: We use culturally attuned content and influencers to spark online conversations and reach audiences with precision, ensuring every message is relevant and impactful. ✅ Feedback Continuum: We listen. Through surveys, focus groups, and real-time social engagement, we continually refine our strategies to align with the evolving needs of the communities we serve. At GW Health PR, Custom Inclusion isn’t just a strategy—it’s our commitment to empowering every individual to take control of their health, fostering trust, and ensuring that no one is left out of the conversation. 📢 Join us in creating a healthier, more connected future. #CustomInclusion #HealthPR #CommunityEngagement #GWHealthPR We’ve just updated our Page. Visit our Page to see the latest updates.

#campaigns ##Ten Voices to Save Child by 2025 ##HealthcareAdvocates: ##EducationLeaders: ##HumanRightsActivists: ##Environmental Advocates: ##Nutrition Experts: ##Technology Innovators: ##PolicyMakers: ##Community Leaders: ##Philanthropists: ##Media Influencers: These voices, through their respective domains, can create a holistic approach to saving and improving the lives of children by 2025. By addressing healthcare, education, human rights, environmental sustainability, nutrition, technology, policy, community support, philanthropy, and media influence, we can ensure a brighter future for children worldwide. Let me know what you think and comment on it. Cheers, Francis L