Language is incredibly powerful tool in efforts to advance racial equity.
October 20, 2022
Briana Wales-Thaxton is the VP for People and Culture at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. She is responsible for all human resources functions as well as leading the collaborative implementation of the Foundation’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion action plan, and took part in developing the Race and Health Equity Glossary that is part of the toolkit. She has embedded the glossary in an updated Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training that will be provided to all employees at the Foundation.
How are you using tools in the Race and Health Equity Resource Guide? Share a story or a resource here.
share this
Related Articles
On February 9, 2026, the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts convened partners and legislators to celebrate the FY26 earmark for 413Cares.org and to share updates on major regional initiatives. PHIWM extends deep appreciation to Representative Michael Finn, Senator Adam Gomez, and the entire Western Massachusetts legislative delegation for their continued partnership and support for 413Cares.org , which remains a critical tool for connecting Western MA residents to help when they need it most. 413Cares.org saw major growth in 2025, with searches doubling and the number of users increasing more than fourfold. Check out photos from the gathering below!
Learn more about our work in 2025 bringing communities together, advocating for policy change, engaging community, and using data to drive change.
In 1996, courageous and visionary leaders from competing healthcare institutions created a public health organization to bring people together, secure resources, and convene multiple sectors to focus on community health issues that were not being addressed. That collective vision and action manifested in Partners for a Healthier Community, now the Public Health Institute of Western Massachusetts. Over the past 30 year s, we have strengthened partnerships and uplifted community voices. We are more committed than ever to ensure everyone has what they need to lead a healthy life. Thank you for your decades of partnership and lifetime of active hope.
