Strategic Planning with Anti-Racism Concepts

The Opportunity

Genesis partnered with a major American city’s public health department to answer the question: How might we build a strong, transformative strategic plan using anti-racist concepts, practices, policies, investments, and measures?

Approach

Over a ten-month engagement, Genesis partnered with senior public health officials, community and business leaders, and residents to understand what a healthy public health department and community looks and feels like. Genesis used quantitative and qualitative approaches to ensure an inclusive process and gather insights from a broad range of constituents. Two overwhelming needs emerged from this process: recovering from the shared trauma of the COVID-19 pandemic and shifting the health department’s relationship with the community to that of a chief health strategist (the Public Health 3.0 model). Stakeholders also agreed that meaningful and sustainable progress in these goals required acknowledgment of the impact that racism has on individual and public health; willingness and ability to identify racism in our programs, workplaces, and policies; and commitment to dismantle racism at every opportunity.

Outcomes

Genesis collaborated with the client to anchor their five-year strategic plan in the Public Health 3.0 model through an anti-racist lens. The resulting strategy visually, meaningfully, and measurably links anti-racist practices with public health strategies, investments, and data. Public health leaders successfully implemented the strategic plan, which garnered national recognition.

Key Success Factor

Developing an anti-racist strategic plan required close attention to ensuring the planning process was grounded in equity principles. Genesis worked closely with the client to ensure the planning process was highly inclusive and transparent.

Testimonial

We are thrilled with the outcome of our strategic planning project. The plan is very well written and captures the breadth and depth of our community’s and our department’s perspectives and feedback. We intentionally set out to create a comprehensive plan grounded in anti-racism and health equity. The Genesis team took that mission to heart and helped us produce a plan that we are so proud to present to our staff, community members, and elected officials.

Executive Leader, Public Health