THE CAUSE: Highlighting racial disparities in retirement savings during National Financial Literacy Month by supporting The Alpaugh Family Economics Center who create informed outcomes through the implementation of economic and financial literacy programs for K-12 students and teachers.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 62 active minutes tracked between 4/1/24 to 4/30/24, we will donate $1 to The Alpaugh Family Economics Center up to 6200 total minutes across all participants. After we’ve reached 6200 minutes of activity, we will donate 80% of any donation received on or before 4/30/24 11:59 PM EST. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 4/30/24. Challenge submissions will be accepted until 5/2/2024 at 11:59 PM EST.

THE WHY: Did you know that retirement savings disparities based on race are a significant issue in the United States? It's true! According to the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS), many households of color have little to no retirement savings, and those that do often have significantly less than white households.

African American and Hispanic households are particularly affected, with a large majority having no retirement savings compared to white households. For example, a whopping 62% of African American households and 69% of Hispanic households have no retirement savings at all, compared to just 37% of white households. This gap is concerning and highlights the need for action.

So, what can we do about it? Well, addressing these disparities requires more than just individual effort; it demands systemic change. Ultimately, ensuring everyone can enjoy a comfortable retirement isn't just a personal responsibility—it's a societal one.

Let's work together to address retirement savings disparities and ensure everyone has the opportunity to retire with financial security. Join us in this challenge, where we not only strengthen our bodies but also work towards a more equitable future for all.

April 2024 Challenge Sources

Banerjee, S. (2024, March). Race, retirement, and the savings gap. Retire with Confidence, T. Rowe Price. Retrieved from https://www.troweprice.com/content/dam/retirement-plan-services/pdfs/insights/race-retirement-and-savings-gap/Race-Retirement-Savings_Gap_Insights.pdf

Markowitz, A. (2023, October 18). The Racial Retirement Gap in 7 Facts: Persistent disparities across American economic life squeeze Black workers’ opportunities to save for retirement. AARP. Retrieved from https://www.aarp.org/retirement/planning-for-retirement/info-2023/racial-savings-wealth-gap.html

Rhee, N. (2013, December). Race and Retirement Insecurity in the United States. National Institute on Retirement Security. Retrieved from https://www.nirsonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/race_and_retirement_insecurity_final.pdf

Wills, S. (2024, February 02). Retirement Savings by Race: Wide disparities exist between White and non-White future retirees—a "racial retirement wealth gap". Investopedia. Retrieved from https://www.investopedia.com/retirement-savings-by-race-5086962

THE CAUSE: Helping the Immigrant and Refugee Law Center provide legal services to unaccompanied and exploited immigrant children.

THE CHALLENGE: For every collective 250,000 steps tracked between 9/16/23 to 9/30/23, we will donate $78 (7800 cents) to the Immigration and Refugee Law Center. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 9/30/23. Submissions will be accepted until 10/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Each year, thousands of unaccompanied children, many fleeing unspeakable violence in their own countries, enter the United States. After enduring a harrowing journey, they are apprehended and detained in federal custody in facilities contracted by the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR), and immediately placed in removal (deportation) proceedings without the benefit of an appointed attorney to guide them through this complicated process.  (https://acaciajustice.org/what-we-do/)

ORR maintains a network of “shelters” for children around the country to hold children while they are detained.  A 2008 anti-trafficking law requires that unaccompanied minors from most countries be screened for trafficking and allowed to stay in the U.S. pending their application for status. Many are released to poorly vetted sponsors who exploit them.

Unfortunately, there are also many children who are brought to the U.S. by someone who may or may not be their relative, and once here are subsequently abused, neglected, or abandoned. 

The Immigrant and Refugee Law Center (IRLC) is part of a network of legal service providers throughout the country that provides pro bono legal services to detained children and children released from detention to their sponsors.  This is a critical need, and without adequate legal assistance and legal education, unaccompanied immigrant children can fall through the cracks.  

As the New York Times has noted, migrant children in the U.S. have few options for help.

However, in Greater Cincinnati they do.  IRLC works with detained, unaccompanied, and exploited children to ensure that they receive critical legal services, as well as the holistic support they need. They work in a collaborative effort to ensure that the rights of children are protected. 

Acacia Center for Justice. (2023). What We Do. https://acaciajustice.org/what-we-do/

Dreier, Hannah. (2023, February 27). Biden Administration Plans Crackdown on Migrant Child Labor. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/02/27/us/biden-child-labor.html

THE CAUSE: Highlighting the racial wealth with a focus on business ownership during Black Business Month via Mortar Cincinnati who aim to create diverse communities by enabling historically marginalized entrepreneurs to access the resources needed to start & run successful businesses.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 13 miles of activity tracked between 8/16/23 and 8/30/23, we will donate $5 to Mortar Cincinnati. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 8/30/23. Submissions will be accepted until 9/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: The racial wealth gap between Black and white Americans is an enduring disparity in accumulated financial assets and resources. Rooted in historical inequities like slavery, segregation, and discriminatory policies, it persists despite advancements in civil rights. On average, White households possess significantly greater wealth than Black households. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a typical Black worker last year made 13% less than a typical white worker who was the same age and gender, had the same amount of education and lived in the same region (Lurye, 2022). Not only do Black Americans receive significantly less money on average than similar white Americans. Research also shows that white-owned startups have an average of $18,500 in outside equity at the founding, compared to just $500 for Black-owned startups (Goldschein, 2021).

The racial wealth gap has far-reaching implications, impacting economic mobility, educational opportunities, health outcomes, and overall well-being. National Black Business Month is an observance held every August in the United States to celebrate, support, and promote Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurship. The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of Black economic empowerment, highlight the achievements and contributions of Black entrepreneurs, and encourage consumers to actively patronize and invest in Black-owned businesses. National Black Business Month serves as an opportunity to drive economic growth, create jobs, and foster community development within Black communities. Let’s show your support for narrowing the wealth gap by joining this challenge. Give back and bring awareness to this issue to promote the change needed to make a difference in society.

Fairlie, R. W. (2022, August 16). The impacts of COVID-19 on racial disparities in small business earnings. https://advocacy.sba.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Report_COVID-and-Racial-Disparities_508c.pdf

Goldschein, E. (2021, January 8). Racial funding gap shows Black business owners are shut out from accessing capital. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/racial-funding-gap

Lurye, S. (2022, April 13). Why the rate of Black business ownership is going up. US News. https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2022-04-13/why-the-rate-of-black-business-ownership-is-going-up

National Equity Atlas. (2023). Business ownership: Race and gender should not be a barrier to owning a business. https://nationalequityatlas.org/indicators/Business-ownership

THE CAUSE: Highlighting racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment of mental health during Mental Health Awareness Month via Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective (BEAM) who remove the barriers that Black people experience getting access to or staying connected with emotional health care.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 20 minutes of activity tracked between 5/15/23 and 5/29/23, we will donate $1 to BEAM. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 5/29/23. Submissions will be accepted until 6/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY:  It’s Mental Health Awareness Month and this is yet another area where racial disparities in access and outcomes persist. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, people from racial and ethnic minority groups are less likely to receive mental health care, less likely to receive needed services, and more likely to receive poor quality care when they do receive services.

Black Americans are 20% more likely to experience serious mental health problems than the general population, but only 1 in 3 Black Americans who need mental health care receive it. Additionally, studies have shown that Black Americans are more likely to be misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed with mental health conditions than white Americans. Similarly, Hispanic and Latinx individuals are less likely to receive mental health treatment than non-Hispanic white individuals, leading to higher rates of suicide attempts and completed suicides. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders also face disparities in mental health care access and may not receive culturally responsive care that addresses their unique needs.

Addressing these disparities and ensuring that all individuals have access to high-quality mental health care regardless of their race or ethnicity is important. Addressing these disparities requires increasing access to mental health services, promoting culturally responsive care, and addressing systemic racism and discrimination in the healthcare system. Mental health is a vital component of overall health and well-being. Everyone deserves care that meets their needs, and eliminating racial disparities can promote healthier lives.

American Psychiatric Association. (2017). Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations. Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/cultural-competency/education/mental-health-facts

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2019). African American Mental Health. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Black-African-American

National Alliance on Mental Illness. (2020). Diverse Communities. Retrieved from https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Identity-and-Cultural-Dimensions/Diverse-Communities

National Institute of Mental Health. (2019). Mental Health Disparities: American Indians and Alaska Natives. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/mental-health-disparities-american-indians-and-alaska-natives/index.shtml

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2020). Results from the 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Detailed Tables. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt29393/2019NSDUHDetailedTabs1-4.pdf

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2019). Key Substance Use and Mental Health Indicators in the United States: Results from the 2018 National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/cbhsq-reports/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018/NSDUHNationalFindingsReport2018.pdf

Williams, D. R., & Mohammed, S. A. (2013). Racism and health I: Pathways and scientific evidence. American Behavioral Scientist, 57(8), 1152-1173. doi: 10.1177/0002764213487340

THE CAUSE: Highlighting racial disparities in diagnosis and treatment of autism during Autism Acceptance Month via Autism Connections who create a welcoming community for all individuals on the autism spectrum.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 5 miles of activity tracked between 4/16/23 and 4/30/23, we will donate $3 to Autism Connections. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 4/30/23. Submissions will be accepted until 5/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference in the brain that affects how people interact with others, learn, communicate, and behave. Autism exists in a spectrum affecting people to varying degrees. Some individuals may have no functional language and severe developmental delays while others may have average to above average language skills and IQ. Individuals on the autism spectrum may exhibit some degree of difficulty with social communication, adjusting to unexpected change, a love of repetition, unusually narrow interests, and hyper- or hypo-sensitivity to sensory information. Individuals on the spectrum may exhibit many of these behaviors or very few, or others behaviors not mentioned. The earlier intervention begins, the more dramatic a difference it can make in their lives. However, racial disparities exist in diagnosis, intervention, and access to appropriate services and supports. 

Black children are 5 times more likely to be misdiagnosed with behavior disorders before being diagnosed with autism (Mandell et al, 2007). One study found Black children were not diagnosed with autism until 3 years after their parents first expressed concerns about their child’s development (Constantino et al, 2020) This is problematic because delays in diagnosis prevent children from receiving autism-specific interventions during an important developmental window. During Autism Acceptance Month, we move to help provide a scholarship for families to access interventions with Autism Connections.

Constantino JN, Abbacchi AM, Saulnier C, et al.. Timing of the diagnosis of autism in African American children. Pediatrics. 2020;146:e20193629 

Donovon, J and Zucker, K. Children of color with autism face disparities of care and isolation. PBS News Hour. 2017 Feb. https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/children-color-autism-face-disparities-care-isolation

Mandell DS, Ittenbach RF, Levy SE, Pinto-Martin JA. Disparities in diagnoses received prior to a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. J Autism Dev Disord. 2007 Oct;37(9):1795-802. doi: 10.1007/s10803-006-0314-8. Epub 2006 Dec 8. PMID: 17160456; PMCID: PMC2861330.

Molko, R. How Race and Ethnicity Affect Diagnosis, Treatment and Support for Autistic Children and Adults. Forbes, 2020 June. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbooksauthors/2020/06/25/how-race-and-ethnicity-affect-diagnosis-treatment-and-support-for-autistic-children-and-adults/?sh=4a2846837f8b

THE CAUSE: Exploring implicit bias and supporting the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton who work to eliminate bias, bigotry and discrimination through educational workshops, youth leadership development programs, and community advocacy.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 75 minutes of activity tracked between 3/15/23 and 3/29/23, we will donate $2.40 to the National Conference for Community and Justice of Greater Dayton. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 3/29/23. Submissions will be accepted until 3/31/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Implicit bias or unconscious bias is a form of bias that happens unintentionally and automatically which impacts judgments, decisions, and behavior. These are formed without us knowing they are there and are shaped by our experiences, information we see or hear, the stories we are told, and the experiences of others. This is because our brains like to be efficient and take this information to create cognitive shortcuts. Whether we like it or not, we all make unfair assumptions about others from time to time based on these cognitive shortcuts, but we often don’t realize we are doing it. 

About 75% of people in each of five racial groups studied showed some degree of implicit bias (Morin, 2015). Moreover, implicit racial bias is about 2.4x stronger than explicit racial bias (Kang, 2014). Why is this problematic? Because without being aware of and making an effort to challenge those biases, people may unknowingly engage in discriminatory behavior which can in turn perpetuate systemic and structural racism. Research has shown implicit bias has impacted healthcare practices and outcomes, education outcomes, who gets callbacks for jobs, the use of force by police officers–among many others. The Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling Against Racism and Racial Discrimination begins on March 21. To show your commitment to eliminating bias and discrimination, we would love for you to join this challenge. On top of the challenge, we have some special resources, videos, and links to tests you can take to measure your own implicit bias related to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, etc. 

Bell, S. B., Farr, R., Ofosu, E., Hehman, E., & DeWall, C. N. (2021). Implicit bias predicts less willingness and less frequent adoption of black children more than explicit bias. The Journal of Social Psychology, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1080/00224545.2021.1975619 

Chin, M. J., Quinn, D. M., Dhaliwal, T. K., & Lovison, V. S. (2020). Bias in the air: A nationwide exploration of teachers’ implicit racial attitudes, aggregate bias, and student outcomes. Educational Researcher, 49(8), 566-578. https://doi.org/10.3102%2F0013189X20937240

Hehman, E., Flake, J.K., & Calanchini, J. (2018). Disproportionate use of lethal force in policing is associated with regional racial biases of residents. Social Psychological and Personality Science, 9, 393-401. 

Implicit Bias. 2023. UCLA Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. https://equity.ucla.edu/know/implicit-bias/

McCombs School of Business. (2018, Oct 31). Implicit Bias | Concepts Unwrapped. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OoBvzI-YZf4

Morin, Rich. 2015. “Exploring Racial Bias Among Biracial and Single-Race Adults: The IAT, ”Pew Research Center, Washington, D.C.: August 19, 2015. https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2015/08/19/exploring-racial-bias-among-biracial-and-single-race-adults-the-iat/

Mythbusters: Implicit Bias Edition. The Ohio State University Kirwan Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnicity. https://kirwaninstitute.osu.edu/sites/default/files/pdf/mythbusters.pdf

Orchard, J., & Price, J. (2017). County-level racial prejudice and the black-white gap in infant health outcomes. Social Science & Medicine, 181, 191-198.

Payne, B. K., Vuletich, H. A., & Brown-Iannuzzi, J. L. (2019). Historical roots of implicit bias in slavery. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 116(24), 11693-11698. 

Splan, E. D., Magerman, A. B., & Forbes, C. E. (2021). Associations of Regional Racial Attitudes with Chronic Illness in the United States. Social Science & Medicine, 114077. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.114077

Starck, J. G., Riddle, T., Sinclair, S., & Warikoo, N. (2020). Teachers Are People Too: Examining the Racial Bias of Teachers Compared to Other American Adults. Educational Researcher. 49(4), 273-284, doi:10.3102/0013189X20912758

TEDx Talks. (2014, Jan 28). Immaculate perception: Jerry Kang at TEDxSanDiego 2013. [Video]. Youtube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VGbwNI6Ssk

THE CAUSE: Celebrating Black History and pursuing inclusive freedom by promoting social justice for all, building on the principles of the Underground Railroad via The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 47 miles of activity tracked between 2/1/2023 and 2/28/23, we will donate $10 to The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 2/28/23. Submissions will be accepted until 3/2/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Black History Month begins today! From the moment Africans arrived on the shores of what would become the United States, Black people have been tirelessly fighting against oppression. Recently, our executive director was leading a discussion with adolescents and a question that came up was whether or not it is okay to break the rules some of the time. A point one teen made was that Rosa Parks broke the rules of her time which was one of many catalyzing acts of the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s. Quite a valid point to be made. 

The theme for Black History Month this year is “Black Resistance.” Black History Month began receiving official recognition 47 years ago in 1976. Obviously, this is not when Black history began. This month, we will be highlighting Black Americans who embody Black resistance that you may be less familiar with from the 1700s through today (which is also not the complete timespan of the contributions of Black people to the world). These are the game changers, the challenge takers–people who pushed against the status quo, called out hypocrisy, and set change in motion, both in the past and the present in the United States. Interestingly, only 5 countries in the world have an official Black History Month–the United States, Canada, the UK, Ireland, and Holland. 

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (the founders of Black History Month) said it best, “By resisting, Black people have achieved triumphs, successes, and progress as seen in the end of chattel slavery, dismantling of Jim and Jane Crow segregation in the South, increased political representation at all levels of government, desegregation of educational institutions, the passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964, the opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History in DC and increased and diverse representation of Black experiences in media. Black resistance strategies have served as a model for every other social movement in the country, thus, the legacy and importance of these actions cannot be understated.”

“2023 Black History Theme Executive Summary: Black Resistance.” Nov 2022. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History. https://asalh.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2023-Black-History-Theme-Executive-Summary.pdf

“African American History: People.” 2023. Blackpast.org. https://www.blackpast.org/african-american-history/people-african-american-history/

“Africans in America: Elizabeth Freeman”. 2023. Public Broadcasting Service. https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part2/2p39.html

“The Faithful Groomsmen.” 11 Oct 2020. The Jalen Law Collection. https://thejalenlawcollection.com/journal/the-faithful-groomsmen

“Robert Sengstacke Abbott.” 2022. The Chicago Literary Hall of Fame. https://chicagoliteraryhof.org/inductees/profile/robert-sengstacke-abbott

THE CAUSE: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s vision of justice via the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon whose mission is to build an inclusive network of individuals and organizations that work toward empowerment for people. 

THE CHALLENGE: For every 39 minutes of activity tracked between 1/16/2023 and 1/30/23, we will donate $1.50 to the MLK Community Coalition of Lebanon. We also encourage each participant to complete an act of kindness for a neighbor, a stranger, your community, etc. MLK Day is meant to be a day ON, not a day off. Americans are encouraged to volunteer to improve their communities. If you submit proof of an act of kindness or volunteering within the challenge period, we will donate an additional $5 on your behalf. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 1/30/23. Submissions will be accepted until 2/1/2023 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: "There is nothing greater in all the world than freedom. It's worth going to jail for. It's worth losing a job for. It's worth dying for. My friends, go out this evening determined to achieve this freedom which God wants for all of His children." — Martin Luther King, Jr.

These were the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. as he addressed a crowd of thousands at a NAACP rally in 1957. Nearly a decade later, he was assassinated at the young age of 39 by someone who never believed in social justice and equality. During his life, King always fought to end the laws that were unfair to Black Americans. He was a huge supporter of non-violence and always worried that Americans would never cooperate with any violent movement. MLK's protest tactics included marches, sit-ins, and other forms of civil disobedience. Police often reacted with violence but his followers remained peaceful.

His contributions to the movement and to American democracy make him a worthy and important figure. He helped bring about the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. One of MLK's most notable successes was organizing the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955. African-Americans and their white supporters refused to ride the buses in Montgomery, Alabama to protest segregation. This would eventually lead to a court case in which the Supreme Court of the United States ordered Montgomery to desegregate its buses. He also organized the 5-day, 50-mile Selma March which directly led to the passing of The Voting Rights Act of 1965. Because of these actions and raising his voice to support racial equity, he received many death threats, was often unduly ticketed/imprisoned, had his home bombed, etc. After King's death, his supporters were eager to ensure his legacy was not forgotten. A campaign for a national holiday in his honor was introduced in 1968, but was blocked from passage until 15 years after his death. MLK preached love, grace, and kindness towards others, but also held people accountable to make meaningful change. Let’s continue to spread his legacy. 

Chenoweth, Erica. “The Future of Nonviolent Resistance”. Journal of Democracy, vol. 31, no. 3, July 2020, pp. 69-84. https://www.journalofdemocracy.org/articles/the-future-of-nonviolent-resistance-2/

Foster, Sheena. “15 Martin Luther King Jr. Facts You Probably Didn’t Know.” Reader’s Digest. 13 Jan 2023. https://www.rd.com/list/martin-luther-king-jr-facts-that-arent-true/

King, Martin Luther, Jr. "’Facing the Challenge of a New Age,’ Address Delivered at NAACP Emancipation Day Rally.” Speech. 1 Jan 1957. https://kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/documents/facing-challenge-new-age-address-delivered-naacp-emancipation-day-rally

Lewis, David L. “Martin Luther King, Jr.” Britannica, 11 Jan 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Martin-Luther-King-Jr

Trzcinski, Matthew. “‘Star Trek’: How Martin Luther King Changed the Show.” Showbiz Cheat Sheet, 31 May 2020. https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/star-trek-how-martin-luther-king-changed-the-show.html/

(bene)Fit and Frosty Virtual 5k

It might be getting cold outside, but we can still lace up our running shoes and stay fit! Join us for our first ever fundraiser, the (bene)FIT and Frosty Virtual 5k! If you are finding us for the first time, we are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that hosts virtual fitness challenges to raise awareness about racial disparities and the manifestation of systemic racism in modern day American society. If you have a smartwatch or device that can track your fitness activity, give us a follow on Facebook HERE or Instragram HERE to participate in our next challenge! You can also check out our website.

A virtual can be run (or walked) from any location you choose. You can run, jog, or walk on the road, on the trail, on the treadmill, at the gym or on the track (or even at another race). You get to run your own race, at your own pace, and time it yourself. If you have a smartwatch, you can submit your results to us after you have finished and we will display results on our website and social media once the event is complete. Shirts will be sent directly to participants in the continential US. Proceeds from this event allow us to continue working towards creating a world that is more equitable for all people and making others aware of the biases and disparities that still persist today.

Race Details

Your race can be completed anytime, anywhere in December 2022 and is great for all ages.

You'll receive a beneFIT t-shirt for your participation in the event.

Registration: ~$38 (includes a t-shirt and shipping within the continential US)

Tracking Results

Submit your results by tracking your activity with your smartwatch or fitness tracking device and emailing them to info@benefitchallenges.org. We'd love if you took a selfie (especially in your shirt) and sent it to us with your race stats!

THE CAUSE: Reducing racial disparities in healthcare via Center for Closing the Health Gap whose mission is to lead the efforts to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in Greater Cincinnati through advocacy, education, and community outreach.

THE CHALLENGE: For every miles of distance tracked between 11/16/22 and 11/30/22, we will donate $3 to the Center for Closing the Health Gap. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 11/30/22. Submissions will be accepted until 12/1/2022 at 11:59 PM EST.

THE WHY: Black people experience the highest mortality rates in most of the top ten leading causes of death in the U.S. (Center for Closing the Gap, 2022). On average, Black people are expected to have a lifespan 6 years shorter than white people. While Hispanic people had a higher life expectancy than whites, COVID-19 disproportionately impacted both Black and Hispanic communities. In 2020, life expectancy for white people decreased by 1.2 years compared to close to 3 years for Black and Hispanic individuals (Hill et al, 2022). Important to note is that data for other racial/ethnic groups were not available and these disparities are likely even greater in the American Indian and Alaskan Native population.

There are many barriers that contribute to health disparities. Healthcare providers and policymakers may carry implicit biases and misperceptions about various racial/ethnic groups that perpetuate racial disparities, such as access to care, how providers counsel patients, providers making appropriate referrals, pain management, etc. (Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2021; Chapman et al, 2013). Other factors, such as being uninsured or cost-related barriers also contribute to racial health disparities (Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, 2021). Health and medical care are fundamental human rights. In the words of John Green, “Disease only treats humans equally when our social orders treat humans equally.” Let’s get moving, beneFitFam.

Carratala, Sofia and Maxwell, Conner. “Health Disparities by Race and Ethnicity” Center for American Progress, 7 May 2020. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/health-disparities-race-ethnicity/

Center for Closing the Health Gap. 2022. https://closingthehealthgap.org/what-we-do/

Chapman, Elizabeth, et al. “Physicians and Implicit Bias: How Doctors May Unwittingly Perpetuate Health Care Disparities.” Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2013 Nov; 28(11): 1504–1510. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3797360/

Hill, Latoya, et al. “Key Facts on Health and Health Care by Race and Ethnicity.” Kaiser Family Foundation. 26 Jan 2022. https://www.kff.org/racial-equity-and-health-policy/report/key-facts-on-health-and-health-care-by-race-and-ethnicity/

“Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities—Before and During the Pandemic.” U.S. Government Accountability Office. 28 Sept 2021. https://www.gao.gov/blog/racial-and-ethnic-health-disparities-and-during-pandemic

Radley, David C., et al. “Achieving Racial and Ethnic Equity in U.S. Health Care: A Scorecard of State Performance.” The Commonwealth Fund, 18 Nov 2021. https://www.commonwealthfund.org/publications/scorecard/2021/nov/achieving-racial-ethnic-equity-us-health-care-state-performance

THE CAUSE: Combatting mass incarceration via the Ohio Justice and Policy Center who work to substantially reduce the size and racial disparity of Ohio’s prison population, protect the rights and dignity of incarcerated people, and remove criminal records-based barriers to employment, housing, education, and full community integration.

THE CHALLENGE: For every 5 miles of distance tracked between 10/16/22 and 10/30/22, we will donate $2 to The Ohio Justice and Policy Center. This challenge ends at 11:59 PM EST on 10/30/22. Submissions will be accepted until 11/1/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Did you know that the US has the highest rate of incarceration than any other country in the world? 1.9 million people nationwide are incarcerated (Sawyer and Wagner, 2022). However, increased incarceration has not resulted in the same proportionate reduction in crime rates.

Research shows that incarceration rates have increased by 500% over the past 4 decades. There are many factors that contributed to this increase such as the war on drugs, longer and harsher sentences, lack of mental health services, mandatory minimum sentencing, etc. (The History, Causes, and Facts on Mass Incarceration, 2022). This increase has disproportionately impacted people of color. “African Americans are incarcerated at more than 5 times the rate of whites” and African American women are 2x as likely to be incarcerated as white women (Criminal Justice Fact Sheet, 2022). 

How does mass incarceration impact families and communities of color? African American children are twice as likely to have an incarcerated household member than white children, even when controlling for factors such as socio-economic status, geography, and history of substance abuse or mental health problems. (Maxwell & Solomon, 2018). Children with an incarcerated parent are more likely to experience developmental, emotional, and behavioral challenges as well as increased risk for housing instability, food insecurity, and homelessness. Incarceration removes workers, voters, taxpayers, etc. from communities that are already experiencing disinvestment (Criminal Justice Fact Sheet, 2022).

Sources:

Criminal Justice Fact Sheet. (2022). NAACP. https://naacp.org/resources/criminal-justice-fact-sheet

Maxwell, Conner and Solomon, Danyelle. Mass Incarceration, Stress, and Black Infant Mortality: A Case Study in Structural Racism. (5 June 2018). https://www.americanprogress.org/article/mass-incarceration-stress-black-infant-mortality/

Sawyer, Wendy and Wagner, Peter. Mass Incarceration: The Whole Pie 2022. (14 Mar 2022). Prison Policy Initiative. https://www.prisonpolicy.org/reports/pie2022.html

The History, Causes, and Facts on Mass Incarceration. (2022). Fair Fight Initiative. https://www.fairfightinitiative.org/the-history-causes-and-facts-on-mass-incarceration/

THE CAUSE: Celebrating Juneteenth and helping restore, manage, and enhance Emancipation Park in Houston, TX.

THE CHALLENGE: This is a collective challenge from 6/19/22 to 6/25/22 to celebrate Juneteenth. Please join us in taking 250,000 within the week. For every 250,000 steps, we will donate $150 to Emancipation Park Conservatory in Houston. Screenshot your steps during this week and submit them at the link below. Submissions will be accepted until 6/30/22 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: On June 19, 1865, federal troops arrived in Galveston, Texas to announce the Union had won the war and informing the residents that slavery would not be tolerated anymore. This proclaimed that the roughly 250,000 enslaved people remaining in Texas were now free. Not all of those enslaved were released immediately, however, as some oppressors waited until another harvest had passed and others out right refused to follow the order. 

To celebrate Juneteenth, formerly enslaved people and their descendants traveled to Galveston each year. However, the end of the war was not the end of discrimination and white people often prohibited Black people from celebrating in public spaces. In a creative endeavor utilizing both their newly earned right to property ownership and the desire to have a place to host Juneteenth celebrations, four formerly enslaved individuals worked together to raise $1000 to buy 10 acres of land in 1872. Today, that land is known as Emancipation Park and is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. To celebrate Juneteenth, please step with us and support restoring, managing and enhancing a crucial piece of our history.

Pruitt-Young, Sharon. Special Series Juneteenth: Slavery Didn't End On Juneteenth. What You Should Know About This Important Day. 17 June 2021. National Public Radio. npr.org/2021/06/17/1007315228/juneteenth-what-is-origin-observation

Emancipation Park Conservancy. History. 2021. epconservancy.org/mission-core/history/

THE CAUSE: Commemorating George Floyd and combating systemic violence against Black people.

THE CHALLENGE: 

1️⃣ Start your workout on your fitness tracker ⏱

2️⃣ Run as fast as you can (the point of this one is  be very winded when you're finished)🏃‍♀️🏃

3️⃣ Stop your tracker at 8 minutes and 46 seconds. 8️⃣:4️⃣6️⃣ 🛑

4️⃣ Submit your results via social media or our website 🤳

For every mile completed, we will donate $9.29 to the George Floyd Memorial Foundation. This challenge runs for only one week and ends at 11:59 PM EST on 6/18/22. Submissions will be accepted until 6/20/2022 at 11:59 PM. 

THE WHY: In May 2020, four police officers in Minneapolis responded to a call for a possibly counterfeit $20 bill. Ultimately, this call resulted in an officer kneeling on George Floyd's neck for approximately 9 minutes. George Floyd cried for help saying "I can't breathe" several times before going limp. He was pronounced dead after being taken to the hospital. It took 9 days and protests across the country for all 4 officers to be charged for their involvement and held accountable for their actions (or inaction).

We want to talk about numbers. 8:46 is the number many people know as this was highlighted on the media for the length of time Derek Chauvin knelt on Floyd's neck. We chose this number because it is more recognizable/familiar to the mass majority. However, it was revealed during the trial that Chauvin was actually kneeling on Floyd's neck for 9:29. George Floyd's unfortunate death brought to light the need for police reform and the police brutality and discrimination that is more significantly experienced by Black Americans. That isn't a new phenomenon, nor is it one that has been resolved since the trial's ending. Violence against Black Americans is an ongoing issue.

THE CAUSE: Ending hate and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to recognize National AAPI Heritage Month via donation to Stop AAPI Hate.

THE CHALLENGE: Start your fitness tracker and keep track of your steps! For every 10,905 steps, we will donate $1 to Stop AAPI Hate. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook April 2022 event page, tag us in a post on Instagram (special instructions apply), or submit your results manually on our website. This challenge runs from 5/15/2022 to 5/29/22 at 11:59 EST. Submissions will be accepted until 6/1/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: Between March 19, 2020 and December 31, 2021, 10,905 hate incidents occurred against Asian Americans, according to Stop AAPI Hate. Hate incidents include verbal assault, physical assault, shunning/avoidance, being coughed/spat on, refusal of service/barred from establishment, vandalism, and online harassment. The majority of hate incidents were reported by women. These incidents were self-reported so are likely an underrepresentation of how often these hate incidents are actually occurring. While racism isn’t new, there has been an uptick in hate incidents towards Asian Americans in the wake of the pandemic, verbal assault being the most common. 

Marian Anderson said, “No matter how big a nation is, it is no stronger than its weakest people, and as long as you keep a person down, some part of you has to be down there to hold him down, so it means you cannot soar as you might otherwise.” We have had public officials using words like “Kung Flu” and “Chinese Virus” in reference to COVID-19. The language we use to talk to and about the people in our world MATTERS. It is the foundation of our belief system through the stories we are told, it perpetuates ideas, and it shapes our society through the rhetoric of those in influential positions. Using dehumanizing language to talk ABOUT race, gender, ability, SES, sexual orientation, etc. sends the message that it is also okay to talk TO others in a dehumanizing, verbally abusive manner. Let’s do better and help make the world a kinder place. 

Yellow Horse, Aggie J., et al. “Stop AAPI Hate National Report.” Stop AAPI Hate. 4 March 2022. stopaapihate.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/22-SAH-NationalReport-3.1.22-v9.pdf

THE CAUSE: Reducing racial disparities in the housing industry during National Fair Housing Month via Miami Valley Fair Housing Center.

THE CHALLENGE: Start your fitness tracker and keep track of your minutes of activity! For every 37 minutes of activity, we will donate $2 to Miami Valley Fair Housing Center. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook April 2022 event page, tag us in a post on Instagram (special instructions apply), or submit your results manually on our website. This challenge runs from 4/15/2022 to 4/29/22 at 11:59 EST. Submissions will be accepted until 5/1/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: The Fair Housing Act of 1968 makes it illegal for housing providers to discriminate against others when buying or renting a home or seeking housing assistance. Yet, discrimination is still happening. Here in our home state, the gap between Black and white homeownership has been steadily growing since 2006. “The racial gap in homeownership between Black and white Ohioans is 37 percentage points–9 points higher than the national gap” (Fiscal Year 2021 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment). When looking at cost burden, Black homeowners are twice as likely to be severely cost burdened, meaning they spend more than half of their income on housing (Fiscal Year 2021 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment). 

There are many ways in which racial disparities still exist within the housing industry. Black potential homebuyers are 16% more likely to be denied a mortgage than their white counterparts. Black Ohioans are disproportionately represented in the homeless population. As with previous challenges, intersectionality plays a big role in these disparities. The historical practice of discriminatory public policy such as redlining, race-based zoning ordinances, predatory loan practices, and explicit exclusion from federal homeownership programs have all contributed and still impact housing segregation and disparities today (Solomon et. al.). Homeownership is one avenue to wealth-building and housing racial disparities contribute to the ever widening racial wealth gap (more on that in a later challenge). For now, it’s time to raise some money to make housing accessible for all.

“Fiscal Year 2021 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment: Executive Summary.” Ohio Housing Finance Agency. 2021. https://ohiohome.org/hna-20/executivesummary-hna.aspx

“Racial Inequities in Housing Fact Sheet.” Opportunities Start at Home. 2022. https://www.opportunityhome.org/resources/racial-equity-housing/

Solomon, Danyelle, et. al. “Systemic Inequality: Displacement, Exclusion, and Segregation: How America's Housing System Undermines Wealth Building in Communities of Color.” Center for American Progress. 7 Aug 2019. https://www.americanprogress.org/article/systemic-inequality-displacement-exclusion-segregation/

THE CAUSE: Highlighting racial disparities in education to support academic success for urban youth via GRAD Cincinnati. This organization works directly with administration, teachers, and students in the school district the data comes from.

THE CHALLENGE: For every person who completes and submits 1114 total minutes of activity between 3/15/22 and 3/29/22, we will donate $23 to GRAD Cincinnati. This means you can complete the minutes over multiple days and can post/submit multiple times for this challenge. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook March 2022 event page, tag us in a post on Instagram (special instructions apply), or submit your results manually on our website. Submissions will be accepted until 4/1/2022 at 11:59 PM EST. 

THE WHY: In 11 out of 14 high schools in Cincinnati Public School District, not a single Black student passed an AP exam out of 552 Black students who took one (Tichavakundra). Nationally, only 23% of Black students enrolled in AP classes earned AP credit compared to almost double that percentage for white students (de Brey, et. al.).  As Dr. Tichavakundra stated in his research, this is not an attack or undermining of the hard work of educators, administrators, staff, parents, the community, or the students’ themselves. This is an exploration of the data available so that we can look further for solutions. It is also important to note that AP exams do not capture the whole picture of a students’ college readiness and academic achievement, nor is attending college the ultimate goal for every student. 

There’s no doubt that preparing our youth for the future is important. There is high value placed on education in American society and all kids have a right to a free public education. The constitution requires that all kids be given equal educational opportunities regardless of race, sex, religion, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, or citizenship. However, that does not correlate to equal outcomes and our systems once again leave students of color trailing behind their white counterparts. Again, this is NOT to say that students of color are less capable, less motivated, less disciplined, less intelligent, less studious, or less of anything. We cannot stress that enough, so please check your biases if you find yourself defaulting to that thought. On that note, let’s get to moving and raise some money to support students’ success!

de Brey, et. al. “Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups 2018.” US Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics. 2018. https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2019/2019038.pdf

Tichavakunda, Antar A. “Cincinnati and the State of Black Students and Higher Education.” 2021. PDF. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1jQJicTCMoRBh170n2PLyEdnAXaKT3CXi/view

THE CAUSE: Fighting Racial Disparities in Food Security by supporting Black Yield Institute

THE CHALLENGE: This is a collective effort challenge over the course of two weeks! ✊🏿✊🏻✊🏾✊🏼✊🏽 Post all of your active minutes over the course of the challenge. You can post/submit multiple times for this challenge. For every 8️⃣7️⃣ minutes of activity, $3 will be donated on your behalf to combat racial disparities in food security in Baltimore. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook December 2021 event page or submit your results manually on our website. Submissions will be accepted until 12/18/2021 at 11:59 PM.

Want to go the extra mile? Your charitable donation will help fight racial disparities in food access while also helping us continue to create programming that cultivates conversations around the complex social justice issues we face in the US. You can donate here https://www.benefitchallenges.org/take-action

THE WHY: 87% of people experiencing food insecurity in Baltimore are of African descent, yet the total percentage of people of African descent in Baltimore is ~64% (Black Yield Institute, 2021). 😔 Food insecurity refers to a person or family’s limited or uncertain access to adequate food. There is a stark racial disparity of access to quality food relative to the distribution of race in Baltimore’s general population. According to Feed America (2021), Black families were 3x more likely than whites to face food insecurity last year.

1 in 4 Baltimore residents live in a food desert. Residents of these neighborhoods may live close to a corner store 🏪 that sells snack foods 🍪🍫🍕🌭🥤, however fresh produce 🍐🥦🍏🥑🍓🥕🫐🥒🍑🍅🥬 and other healthy foods are more difficult to find. This results in increased likelihood of nutrient-poor diets which leads to greater risk for and more difficulty managing diet-related diseases (Food Insecurity, 2016). This in turn fuels racial disparities in health care, etc. 🏥

We need to address the underlying factors contributing to social inequalities in food access. As Nina Sevlla of The National Resource Defense Council (2021) said “a better, more equitable, food system should address root causes, redistribute power, and be guided by people with lived experience in food apartheids. Food security is more than proximity to a grocery store; it should be about food sovereignty—the right of all people to have a say in how their food is grown and the right to fresh, affordable, and culturally appropriate food.” So, put on your Fitbit, Garmin, AppleWatch…whatever you’ve got and let’s move to increase food security for all.

Feed America, 2021, www.feedingamerica.org/hunger-in-america/african-american Accessed 24 Nov 2021. 

“Food Insecurity: A Public Health Issue.” Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974) vol. 131,5 (2016): 655-657. doi:10.1177/0033354916664154

“Our Position.” Black Yield Institute, 2021, blackyieldinstitute.org/our-position/. Access 24 Nov 2021. 

Ridge, Jenae. “Food Apartheid | Why we should change the way we talk about food deserts.” The Green Urban Lunch Box, 16 June 2020, https://thegreenurbanlunchbox.com/food-apartheid-why-we-should-change-the-way-we-talk-about-food-deserts/

Sevilla, Nina. “Food Apartheid: Racialized Access to Healthy Affordable Food.” National Resource Defence Council, 02 Apr 2021, nrdc.org/experts/nina-sevilla/food-apartheid-racialized-access-healthy-affordable-food

THE CAUSE: Protecting Sacred Indigenous sites and Native Habitats by supporting Honor the Earth. 

THE CHALLENGE: Track 90 minutes of activity using your fitness tracking device (Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.). You can do this activity any way you like (lifting, running, walking, biking, yoga, etc.), but it has to be done in one day/workout. $5.74 will be donated on your behalf to protect sacred indigenious sites and Native habitats. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook November 2021 event page or submit your results manually on our website. One submission will be accepted per person. Submission will be accepted until 11/24/21 at 11:59 PM. 

Want to go the extra mile? Your charitable donation will help support protection of indigenious spaces while also helping us continue to create programming that cultivates conversations around the complex social justice issues we face in the US. You can donate here 👉 https://www.benefitchallenges.org/take-action

THE WHY: When you think of a Native American reservation, you may think all of the land within the boundary of the reservation is managed by tribes. However, this is not the case. The General Allotment Act of 1887 (also known as the Dawes Act) was put in place with the goal of assimilating Native American into mainstream society by dividing tribal lands into individual plots for farming and agriculture (​​“Series: History & Culture,” 9 July 2021). In exchange, any Native American who agreed to this division of tribal land was granted US citizenship. Many plots were sold or transferred to non-native US citizens, but were still contained within reservation borders (“Land Tenure Issues,” n.d.). As a result, Native Americans lost over 90 million acres of land and resulted in a checkerboard pattern of land ownership and weakened tribal control.

This checkboarding results in a multitude of problems for Native American families including fractionated ownership; land loss; land management issues; legal and legislative issues; religious practice difficulties, and sovereignty and jurisdiction issues (“Land Tenure Issues,” n.d.). Obviously, there’s a lot that we could dive into on this topic. One of America’s founding principles is the right to religious freedom. In the majority of religions, the destruction of a physical space (church, synagogue, etc.) does not interrupt one’s ability to practice their beliefs. “For Native Americans many religious, spiritual, medicinal and cultural practices are linked to a very specific geographical location” (Justice.gov). Destruction or loss of access to a sacred site, place, or landscape results in the direct loss of cultural practices for Native Americans as there is nowhere else to exercise them outside of that specific place.

Currently, there are 574 federally recognized tribes in the US. For National American Indian Heritage Month, let’s support the recovery and control of their rightful homelands and sacred spaces. Not only should we respect sacred places, but also the people, spiritual practices, and culture of those who consider them sacred.

Dippel, Christian;, et al. “Property Rights without Transfer Rights: A Study of Indian Land Allotment,” NBER Working Paper no. 27479, July 2020, doi​.org/​1​0​.​3​3​8​6​/​w​27479.

“Land Tenure Issues.” Indian Land Tenure Foundation, www.iltf.org/land-issues/issues/. Accessed 20 Oct 2021.

“Native American Sacred Sites and the Federal Government.” United States Department of Justice, www.justice.gov/file/952031/download. Accessed 24 October 2021. 

“​​Series: History & Culture in the Badlands - The Dawes Act.” National Park Service, 9 July 2021, www.nps.gov/articles/000/dawes-act.htm.

THE CAUSE: Reducing health disparities for Black mothers and babies by supporting Black Mamas Matter Alliance🤰🏿🤰🏻🤰🏾🤰🏼🤰🏽

THE CHALLENGE: Any day during the month of October, track 3.5 miles with your fitness tracking device (Fitbit, Apple Watch, Garmin, etc.). Walk 🚶, run🏃‍♀️, bike 🚴, hike, skip, swim 🏊‍♀️, dance 💃🕺…however you want to get those 3.5 miles in is up to you! $2 will be donated on your behalf to support the health and wellbeing of Black mothers and babies. Post a screenshot of your stats from your tracking device’s app in the discussion section of our Facebook October 2021 event page or submit your results manually on our website. One submission will be accepted per person. Submissions will be accepted until 11/1/2021 at 11:59PM.

Want to go the extra mile? Your charitable donation will help support health outcomes for Black mothers and babies while also helping us continue to create programming that cultivates conversations around the complex social justice issues we face in the US. You can donate here 👉 https://www.benefitchallenges.org/take-action

THE WHY: October is National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. The United States has the highest maternal and infant mortality rates compared to other developed countries. What is even more disheartening, though, is that maternal and infant mortality is disproportionately realized in Black mothers and babies. Black women in the US, from all income ranges and backgrounds, are dying at 3.5 times the rate of non-Hispanic white women from pregnancy-related complications that are preventable (CDC, 2020). Additionally, Black infant mortality rates are 2 times that of non-Hispanic white babies (CDC, 2021).

Let’s be clear—this is not a matter that is driven by physiological differences or solely rooted in social factors like income or level of education. One study found that Black middle-class women in New York were still more likely to die than white working-class women (New York Task Force, 2019). Black mothers are more likely than white mothers to receive lower quality care and unfair treatment that can contribute to these disparities. A 2016 survey found that half of the white medical students and residents surveyed believe at least one misconception about racial differences, including that Black people feel less pain than white people (Villarosa, 2019). This bias could result in doctors dismissing symptoms of pain and discomfort expressed by Black women during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum. A 2020 study found that when newborn Black infants were cared for by Black physicians, their mortality rate is halved, especially in more complex cases and in hospitals that deliver more Black babies (Greenwood et al., 2020).

Being a parent is a beautiful gift for those who choose it. Black mothers matter. Black babies matter. Life is a precious gift that should not be threatened by preventable problems. We can do better. Our healthcare system can do better. Join us in supporting positive health outcomes for Black mothers and babies. 👶🏿👶🏻👶🏾👶🏼👶🏽

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Infant Mortality,” 8 September 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternalinfanthealth/infantmortality.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Infographic: Racial/Ethnic Disparities in Pregnancy-Related Deaths — United States, 2007–2016", 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/maternal-mortality/disparities-pregnancy-related-deaths/infographic.html 

Greenwood Brad N. et al., “Physician–patient racial concordance and disparities in birthing mortality for newborns”, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 117, no. 35 (August 2020): 21194-21200, https://www.pnas.org/content/117/35/21194

New York State Taskforce on Maternal Mortality and Disparate Racial Outcomes, "Recommendations to the Governor to Reduce Maternal Mortality and Racial Disparities", March 2019, https://health.ny.gov/community/adults/women/task_force_maternal_mortality/docs/maternal_mortality_report.pdf

Villarosa, L., "How False Beliefs in Physical Racial Difference Still Live in Medicine Today", New York Times, 14 August 2019, https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/racial-differences-doctors.html