We are grateful for Rachel Hardeman, who imagines a world where health equity is the norm, and not a goal we are striving to reach. As Associate Professor at the School of Public Health, Blue Cross Endowed Professor of Health and Racial Equity and founding Director of the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity, Hardeman was recently invited to join the Advisory Committee to the Director (ACD) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Hardeman works relentlessly to elucidate a critical and complex determinant of health inequity—racism.

And, we are especially grateful for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota who Donated $5 million to the School of Public Health to establish the Center for Antiracism Research for Health Equity. The funding for this center reflects Blue Cross’s long-term commitment to tackle the leading causes of preventable disease, increase racial and health equity, transform communities, and create a healthier state.