In 2022, Dr. Cydney Teal and Dr. Velma Scantlebury joined the first cohort of Harambee Delaware with a bold vision: to build a more just and equitable healthcare system in Delaware. After launching the Delaware Health Equity Coalition, they were able to open their first health equity center in Wilmington that year.

Now, they’re celebrating a major milestone: the Coalition has been awarded the top prize in the Pete du Pont Freedom Foundation’s Reinventing Delaware competition, receiving a $15,000 implementation grant to expand their model across the state.

Read the Delaware Business Times article announcing their award.

The Delaware Health Equity Coalition’s approach centers community voice, cultural competence, and trust—providing care that’s rooted in the lived experiences of Delaware’s Black and Brown communities. Their location in Wilmington focuses on closing health gaps and creating a safe space for care.

Out of more than 100 submissions for the Reinventing Delaware competition, the renamed Delaware Health Empowerment Coalition was selected as one of five semi-finalists. After months of development support, they were awarded the top grant to help them scale their model and reach over 20,000 patients annually.

Their success at Reinventing Delaware is a testament to what happens when we support ideas born from—and accountable to—our communities.

We’re thrilled to see their work being recognized and resourced at the state level. As the Delaware Business Times noted, this year’s Reinventing Delaware program also marked a shift toward dedicated support for nonprofit innovations—a promising development for leaders like them who are building mission-driven ventures.

We can’t wait to see what’s ahead—and we’re honored to be part of their journey.

Read our original blog post from 2022 to learn more about their story.