Episode Details

“We Must Save Us”™ — a message from Renee Mahaffey Harris calling communities to take collective responsibility for health, advocacy, and care for one another. 

In this powerful episode of Diversity Conversations, Eric Ellis and Tommie Lewis welcome Renee Mahaffey Harris, President and CEO of Closing the Health Gap, for an urgent and deeply human conversation about health equity, chronic stress, and the reality of health disparities affecting Black communities. 

Renee shares powerful insights about the life expectancy gap, the hidden toll of stress on the body, and why honest conversations within families and communities are essential to improving health outcomes. Drawing from her leadership journey and years of work in community health, she challenges us to rethink how we care for ourselves and each other. 

Throughout the conversation, Renee also shares the heart behind her message “We Must Save Us”™, a call for communities to support one another, advocate for their health, and make intentional choices that protect future generations. 

From managing stress and building supportive relationships to making small lifestyle changes that improve long-term health, this episode offers both truth and hope for individuals, families, and communities. 

Learn more about Renee’s work and the mission of Closing the Health Gap:
https://closingthehealthgap.org

Listen, reflect, and share this conversation with someone in your community. 

Renee Mahaffey Harris, We Must Save Us, Closing the Health Gap, health equity, Black health, health disparities, community health, public health, chronic disease, stress and health, health advocacy, health justice, wellness, mental health, leadership, diversity conversations, Eric Ellis, Tommie Lewis, Cincinnati, community care, Diversity Conversations

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