Room at the Table - by Renée Branch Canady (Paperback)

About the Book

Never has equity leadership been more necessary for the health of our communities, but the term equity is largely misunderstood. In a world of soundbites, social upheaval, and a pervasive leadership check-the-box mentality, Dr. Renee Branch Canady presents a call to arms for all who seek to understand equity justice, a deeper understanding of DEI in public health, and wish to invite others along for the journey.

Book Synopsis

What Was Your First Memory of Race?

This opening question is the heart and soul of "Room at the Table." The word equity is thrown around in multiple media outlets, corporations, and non-profits. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion... Many shy away from these terms, convinced that they already understand. In truth, these concepts are a mystery to most. It's more important than ever to grasp the vital, far-reaching aim of the equity lens. What does this work look like? What does it sound like? What actions must equity leaders take to turn the future of leadership into a reality?

With public health injustices on the rise, grounded equity leadership can forge the path to a more healthy, understanding, and effective outlook for all of our futures. In her groundbreaking work, Dr. Renee Branch Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute, shares through research and candid stories what it's like to be on the front lines as an equity public health leader. In a culture centered on optics, Dr. Canady brings to light the true act of doing for the sake of change.

Points of focus include:

- The innovative concept of "Leadering"
- Using our outrage to enact change
- Seeing, saying, and doing differently
- Acting courageously in the face of institutional racism
- Leading with authenticity
- Harboring the conviction to move equity work forward, one step at a time

In Dr. Canady's words, "Health equity leadership is a new leadership in this space that's predicated by what's happening at this moment. It hasn't happened before. Focusing on others, a willingness to be courageous, and a willingness to do something that hasn't been done before is a grey space in health equity leadership."

"Room at the Table" addresses this grey space with unflinching honestly and hope.

From the Back Cover

Are you ready to be the future of equity leadership?

Never has equity leadership been more necessary for the health of our communities, but the term equity is largely misunderstood. In a world of soundbites, social upheaval, and a pervasive leadership check-the-box mentality, Dr. Renee Branch Canady, CEO of the Michigan Public Health Institute, presents a call to arms for all who seek to understand equity justice, a deeper understanding of DEI in public health, and wish to invite others along for the journey.

Equity is action, and Room at the Table, A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Justice provides future equity titans with a hands-on approach to enacting deep, far-reaching equity change. This is head, heart, and hands work that encourages you to bring your full self and lived experiences to the table. Through stories and introspections, you'll discover why equity leadership is calling upon you and how to become the change agent that we need.

About the Author

DR. RENEE BRANCH CANADY is the CEO of MPHI, a Michigan-based non-profit public health institute dedicated to working together to center equity, promote health, and advance well-being for all. Dr. Canady is recognized as a groundbreaking leader and researcher in health inequities and disparities, cultural competence, and social justice. She serves on numerous national boards, review panels, and advisory groups for institutions hoping to better understand, internalize, and activate equity justice and change.