RACIAL JUSTICE & HEALTH: COVID-19 Vaccine Equity in the Black Community
Type of Organizations: State Department of Health, Health Consulting Firms
Funding: North Dakota Department of Health
Description: In partnership with Dr. Kathy Anderson of Nurturing Wellness Consulting, Bluknowledge LLC conducted a survey study for the North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) to understand challenges and generate solutions that could advance COVID-19 vaccine equity in the Black Community. We designed survey and focus group research instruments to generate evidence about the uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations in the North Dakota Black Community, specifically what factors support and prevent individuals from becoming COVID-19 vaccinated. To support this, we administered and monitored the survey. We also analyzed and communicated the findings via the COVID-19 Vaccine in the North Dakota Black Community report and reusable social media content. Evidence and actionable recommendations from this survey study informed the NDDoH’s Health Equity Unit’s 2020-2024 strategic plan.
Communications: Report on COVID-19 Vaccine in the North Dakota Black Community Survey Study [Full Report] [Highlights].
Needs Assessments and Strategic Planning for K-12 Schools and Districts
Type of Organizations: K-12 Public Schools and School Districts, Education Consulting Firms
Funding: State, District, and Private Funds
Description: As a contracted Senior Consultant for the International Center for Leadership In Education (ICLE), Dr. Erika D. Tate conducted needs assessments and strategic planning for K-12 public schools and districts. Applying ICLE’s Rigor/Relevance Framework, she conducted interviews with principals, teachers, students, families, and business partners about their teaching and learning experiences. She also conducted classroom visits that documented the prevalence of specific instructional strategies and the levels of rigor, relevance, and learner engagement. The collected data were synthesized into the findings and recommendations made available to school and district stakeholders.
Dr. Tate also facilitated strategic planning sessions that brought administrators and teachers together as a team to (a) identify the strengths and weaknesses of classroom instruction, (b) prioritize strategies to bring about needed improvements in the classroom and in the school as a whole, and (c) guide stakeholders in collaborative dialogue to create and document their strategic action plans for their classrooms, schools, and districts.
Communications: Needs Assessment Reports, Instructional Practice Assessment Reports, Strategic Planning Sessions, and Strategic Action Plans.
RACIAL JUSTICE: Seeing Savannah Through a Racial Equity Lens
Type of Organizations: City-wide Task Force, State-wide Systemic Change Alliance
Funding: The Sapelo Foundation
Description: During the summer of 2021, Bluknowledge LLC was contracted to lead the authorship of the Education Committee report for the Racial Equity and Leadership (REAL) Savannah Task Force.
We developed a racial-equity framework to focus, organize, and facilitate data collection, analysis, and policy recommendations to drive toward the intended outcome: academic success for Black students including access to, and graduation from, institutions of higher education. A strategic plan of action was recommended, which included guiding questions and data inquiry for the following areas: Early Childhood and School Readiness, Academic Success & Instructional Effectiveness, Out-of School Learning, and School Success.
Communications: Seeing Savannah Through a Racial Equity Lens [Full Report].
FOOD JUSTICE: PLAN4HEALTH: ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS IN PLANNING FOR POLICIES, SYSTEMS, AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGES THAT INCREASE FOOD ACCESS IN SAVANNAH
Type of Organizations: Planning Association, Public Health Association
Funding: Centers for Disease Control (CDC) funded partnership between American Planning Association and the American Public Health Association
Description: In July 2015, Bluknowledge LLC was contracted by Transport Studio on behalf of Healthy Savannah to (a) conduct, analyze, and synthesize stakeholder interviews with community officials, leaders, and gatekeepers to inform strategies for improving local access to healthy food through policy and environmental change and (b) strategize outreach to youth and priority populations about Plan4Health project activities. Other project team members include Forsyth Farmers’ Market, Savannah Chatham Food Policy Council, and Armstrong State University.
Communications: Plan4Health Stakeholder Interview Summary.
community wellness: Savannah Child Wellness Initiative | Focus Group Research, Parent Engagement, and Community Education
Type of Organizations: National Foundations, Local and National Business Coalitions
Funding: National Business Coalition on Health, United Health Foundation, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation; Contracted by the Savannah Business Group
Description: The National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), and the United Health Foundation (UHF) funded the Savannah Business Group (SBG) to engage parents, employers, and physicians in raising awareness about and improving child wellness. Bluknowledge LLC implemented a parent engagement strategy to address childhood obesity. We conducted focus group research with five parent groups about child wellness at home, school, and in the community. Findings from this research were reported in the Childhood Obesity in Chatham County – Parent Focus Groups Summary Report and informed the development of parent resource guides, planning for the Parent Summit for Child Wellness, and implementation of the school wellness policy.
Communications: Childhood Obesity in Chatham County – Parent Focus Groups Summary Report [Executive Summary] [Full Summary Report] [Highlights], Parent Resource Guide [Pamphlet].
food justice: Community Assessment Initiative: Let’s EAT, Healthy, PLAY Often, and Create COMMUNITY!
Type of Organizations: Regional Health Agency, Urban Planning Consulting Firm
Funding: Coastal Health District
Description: In August 2013, Bluknowledge LLC collaborated with Denise Grabowski of Symbioscity, and Cristina Gibson of Coastal Health District to plan and facilitate four (4) community forums in the Eastside and Westside neighborhoods of Savannah. In the first round of community meetings, residents mapped existing and potential healthy places in their neighborhoods and suggested ways their community wants to improve opportunities for healthy eating. The second round of meetings created space for community residents to plan their actions. After individual and collective reflections on how they can help their community, residents drafted community action plans – vision, action steps, and resources.
Community Engagement Tools: Community Assessment Initiative: Let’s EAT, Healthy, PLAY Often, and Create Community! [Shopping Survey], [Participants Strengths Survey].
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT: Workforce Study | Focus Group Research: Job Seekers and Small Businesses in Savannah, Georgia
Type of Organizations: Regional Economic Development Agency, Chamber of Commerce, Regional United Way Network
Funding: Commissioned by Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and United Way of the Coastal Empire, Contracted by Armstrong Atlantic State University’s Public Service Center
Description: The Savannah Economic Development Authority, Savannah Chamber of Commerce, and the United Way of the Coastal Empire commissioned a study of the workforce in Savannah, Georgia to conduct primary research on barriers to employment faced by job seekers earning a GED or trade degrees. As part of this study, Bluknowledge LLC designed, facilitated, and analyzed six (6) focus group interviews with job seekers (4) and small business owners and representatives (2) to explore (a) challenges that residents, who are studying to achieve a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, face when seeking meaningful employment and (b) the small business community’s perceptions of the entry-level applicant pool for potential employees. The summary of findings was communicated in a research brief to inform the greater workforce study.
Communications: Workforce Development | Focus Group Summary – Job Seekers and Small Businesses in Savannah, Georgia [Full Summary Report] [Highlights].
Food Justice: Bring It Home at the Forsyth Farmers Market: Making Healthy Eating and Physical Activity More Accessible to Ethnically-Diverse, Low-income Families
Type of Organizations: Farmers’ Market, Health-based Coalition
Funding: Healthy Savannah, City of Savannah
Description: In October 2012, Bluknowledge LLC received a Healthy Savannah grant to design and deliver ten (10) healthy food education classes and three (3) market events during November 2012 and June 2013.
Market events engage new and existing Forsyth Farmers’ Market shoppers in a fun, interactive scavenger hunt. Through play, they become familiar with local farmers and foods; learn how to prepare easy, affordable recipes with local, in-season foods; and participate in physical activity.
Healthy food education classes introduce community residents to the local food system through a guided shopping tour of the Forsyth Farmers Market (and its satellites), followed by a Healthy FoodKnowledge class that includes nutrition education and a hands-on cooking experience.
In addition to promoting healthy practices that can prevent or reduce obesity and other related conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, Bring It Home also contributes to increased food security among low-income households and promotes a more sustainable local food system.
Communications: Bring It Home at the Forsyth Farmers Market: Making Healthy Eating and Physical Activity More Accessible to Ethnically-Diverse, Low-income Families [Summary].
food justice: Community Assessment Initiative: Let’s EAT, Healthy, PLAY Often, and Create COMMUNITY!
Type of Organizations: Faith-based Organizations, Public Health Agency
Funding: Coastal Health District
Description: In 2012, Bluknowledge LLC partnered with the Coastal Health District to provide Healthy FoodKnowledge classes to three churches in the Faith and Wellness Network: Central Baptist Church, St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church, and Temple of Glory Community Church.
Healthy FoodKnowledge offered nutrition education and food preparation guidance for community groups interested in learning easy, practical ways to eat healthy. Participants completed surveys to generate evidence about how the classes contributed to their (a) understanding of the nutritional value of healthy foods, (b) familiarity with local healthy food sources, and (c) plans to shop for and prepare healthy dishes.
Communications: Healthy FoodKnowledge | Educating Faith-based Communities about Healthy Eating [Summary], [Preliminary Report].
Dr. Erika D Tate at at Central Baptist Church teaching how to make healthy yogurt parfait. 
Dr. Tate shopping with members of Central Baptist at Forsyth farmers market. Church at 
Participants at Temple of Glory making black bean burgers. 
Dr. Erika D. Tate engaging participants at Templet of Glory. 
Dr. Erika D Tate at St. Frances Cabrina Catholic Church teaching how to make healthy yogurt parfait. 
Wellness Class at St. Frances Cabrina Catholic Church.
