Courtesy of Spelman College
Spelman College is proud to serve as the academic partner with Johnson & Johnson for their 2023-2024 Health Equity Innovation Challenge (HEIC). The goal of the Challenge, created in 2021, is to foster innovation, entrepreneurship and socioeconomic impact by supporting innovative health equity solutions developed by local entrepreneurs, start-ups, innovators and community-based organizations.
This year, the Challenge welcomes our local community here in Atlanta, as well as individuals in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York City and Philadelphia. Applications are open now through November 6. The Health Equity Innovation Challenge invites local innovators, entrepreneurs and community-based organizations to submit their ideas on how to prevent and treat illnesses disproportionately affecting communities of color, enhance equitable access to healthcare, stimulate diversity in science, advocate for more trusted community-based healthcare and promote health equity through community engagement and education.
An independent panel of renowned public health and health equity experts with diverse experience in healthcare delivery, advocacy, entrepreneurship and academia will review the applications. Spelman President Helene Gayle is the HEIC chairperson and will serve on a panel that includes Cato T. Laurencin, M.D., Ph.D.; Eddie Martinez; Kathryn Finney; Kiera Smalls; and Uché Blackstock, M.D. In addition to the panel of expert judges, select individuals appointed by the Challenge’s academic partner, Spelman College, will review and screen the applications.