Skip Navigation This page features a timed image rotator. If you would like to disable it, press enter now. Skip to Footer Links
The Brush Up

    Supporting Racial Equity as a Community

    The last six months have shown an undeniable fact: racism is a public health crisis.
     

    Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh officially declared racism a public health crisis in the City of Boston in June 2020. Many other cities and states across the country have done the same.
     
    As a leader in oral health, we also know that COVID-19 has hit communities of color the hardest. Governor Charlie Baker released COVID-19 data showing that Blacks account for 7% percent of the state’s population, but 14% of COVID-19 cases. Hispanics account for 12% of the population, but 29% of the cases.(1) The Massachusetts COVID-19 Health Equity Advisory Group blamed the disparate impact of COVID-19 on “racism, xenophobia, and lack of economic opportunity.” 
     

    Equity and Social Justice Fund

    This summer, a group of Black and Brown business leaders in Boston came together to create the new Commonwealth Racial Equity and Social Justice Fund to focus on four key issues for communities of color: policing and criminal justice reform, healthcare equity, economic empowerment, and youth education. The intent of the Fund is to provide essential support, resources and thought leadership for uncovering and dismantling systemic racism within institutions in Boston and Massachusetts. The organization is run exclusively by people of color and has a fundraising goal of $100 million. Delta Dental of Massachusetts is proud to support this important work with a $500,000 contribution.
     
    The Fund will prioritize grants to small organizations and nonprofits across Massachusetts led by people of color. Dr. Myechia Minter-Jordan, President and CEO of the DentaQuest Institute for Oral Health Advancement and the Catalyst Institute, is one of the fund's founding members. 
     

    Community Support

    Delta Dental of Massachusetts has also been honored to join business leaders across Greater Boston in supporting The BASE urban academy in Roxbury. The BASE combines exceptional athletic training and competition with education and career resources to help student athletes to achieve their full potential in sports, academics, career and life.
     
    We are proud to support this innovative program as it prepares to help students work through the many challenges caused by the pandemic this fall during this unique and busy Boston Public School calendar.
    We are excited to be a part of this amazing program that empowers the success young people of color and we remain committed to continuing to work together with our partners and community to create meaningful, lasting change.



     
    (1) https://www.mass.gov/doc/health-equity-advisory-group-recommendations/download