…Ruth Thomas–Squance, PhD, MPH, is Co-Executive Director at the Build Healthy Places Network a national center positioning cross-sector partnerships from community development, public health and healthcare sectors to lead and leverage community-centered investments across the country to address the drivers of health and advance racial equity. Dr. Thomas–Squance has a passion for health equity strategy, bringing an interdisciplinary lens…

Meeting the Aug 5th, 2022 deadline, Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN) submitted comments to the Federal Reserve, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) in relation to a proposed rulemaking around the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). The CRA is important anti-redlining legislation that has been in place since…

…Ruth Thomas–Squance and Colleen Flynn, Co-Executive Directors of Build Healthy Places Network released the following statement in response to US District Judge Mark Pittman’s ruling against the Minority Business Development Agency’s (MBDA) mandate to support expansion and competitiveness of minority-owned businesses: “We are releasing this statement to express our concern over the recent ruling against the MBDA. At…

Safe, affordable housing is essential to health – not just health of individuals, but of entire communities. Housing shapes the workforce, drives economic growth, and enables local culture to flourish. Since long before the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses and other major employers had a vested interest in ensuring that workers and their families were adequately and securely housed….

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness…” —Charles Dickens, “A Tale of Two Cities” Written over 160 years ago, these words feel tailor-made for our lived experience wrought by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 pandemic. As the virus swept…

…community-led racial healing models . We look forward to sharing more topics to inspire your work in 2024! None of this work would be possible without our talented and dedicated team at BHPN. We wish you all a happy and healthy holiday season and look forward to working with you in the new year! In partnership, Ruth & Colleen…

…the unique assets and resources they bring to the table to address the racial wealth gap and health inequities in their communities. Speakers: Carey Rothschild, Spartanburg Regional Healthcare SystemRicardo Leon, Metro West Community Development OrganizationMiranda Rodriguez, Local Initiatives Support Corporation LA Hannah Hasan, Spoken Word Artist, Epoch Tribe Moderators: Ruth Thomas–Squance, Build Healthy Places NetworkFrank Woodruff, NACEDA Register today!…

…Artist, Epoch Tribe Moderators: Ruth Thomas–Squance, Build Healthy Places Network Frank Woodruff, NACEDA Additional Resources: Learn more about how to partner with health institutions to create career pathways in your community by reading the Community Economic Development and Healthcare Playbook, an action-oriented guide to help improve economic mobility and health in neighborhoods. Check out a poem performed by Hannah Hasan:…

…If ZIP code is more important than genetic code in determining one’s health and opportunities, how can pediatricians enable healthy and opportunity-rich environments for all children? In a new paper published in the peer-reveiwed journal, Academic Pediatrics, Build Healthy Places Network’s Executive Director, Douglas Jutte, Program Manager, Renae A. Badruzzaman, and Senior Director of Field Building, Ruth Thomas–Squance,…

Sponsored by Purpose Built Communities, this case study is part of a series that highlights Purpose Built Communities’ members and their health partnerships. Summary: This case study showcases the work of Northside Development Group (NDG), a Purpose Built Communities Network Member, whose mission is focused on holistic community redevelopment. We explore the effectiveness of their compelling partnership…

…A Note from Your New Co-Executive Directors of Build Healthy Places Network, Ruth Thomas–Squance, MPH, PhD (she/her) and Colleen Flynn (she/her) As we head into a new era of Build Healthy Places Network (BHPN) and as your new Executive Directors, we wanted to say thank you to everyone for the warm welcome. Having been at BHPN as Senior…