Blues Plans Partner to Strengthen Youth Leadership
BLUE Collaboration partnership provides a platform that inspires the next generation of leaders to thrive
Washington, DC – CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield (CareFirst), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota recently collaborated to host a Community and Youth Leadership Forum, an event aimed to inspire the next generation of youth leaders. The first-of-its-kind event was intentionally developed to empower minority students from Chicago and the National Capital Area to gain valuable insights from industry leaders and professionals.
In alignment with the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association’s mission to advance health equity through collaboration, the event provided participants a pivotal opportunity to foster meaningful conversations and connections. This initiative was supported by HCD International (HCDI), a Washington, D.C. based organization specializing in improving the quality of health for all, especially vulnerable populations. HCDI and Project sWISH, a Chicago-based nonprofit, brought students from the Chicago area to connect with others from Washington, D.C. and Maryland to learn and network with mentors and business leaders.
“We must consider factors outside of clinical settings that influence individual’s lives, such as education and career growth, to advance equitable, high-quality healthcare in our shared communities,” said Lester Davis, Vice President and Chief of Staff at CareFirst. “I’m thrilled that CareFirst partnered with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota to offer insights and resources for the next generation of leaders and reduce barriers to success. This collaboration of skill-sharing, career development, and mentoring is an example of what we can do together.”
The panel discussion included business and community leaders from both organizations and professionals who experienced unique career paths. Panelists included:
- Charity Blackwell, Chief of Culture and Arts at DC SCORES and Director of Poetry Events at Busboys and Poets
- Sidney A. Butcher, Associate Judge, District Court of Maryland, District 7, Anne Arundel County
- Lester Davis, Vice President and Chief of Staff at CareFirst
- Tiffany Davis, Executive Director of Quality Improvement and Health Equity at Blue Cross Blue Shield Illinois
- Bukata Hayes, Vice President of Racial and Health Equity, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
- Dr. Bernard Jackson, President and CEO, Leading Edge Solutions, LLC
The lively conversation provided students with the information, inspiration and tools they need to navigate their academic and professional journeys confidently and resiliently.
"Our purpose of bringing the youth together was to ignite and inspire them to consider careers in healthcare and beyond that can drive positive change in their communities. We know these youth are the next generation of dreamers, innovators and disruptors. Our hope is that they will remember every seed planted during this event. Once they are wildly successful - we expect them to pay it forward by reminding those coming behind them that we can do both - accomplish our dreams and help communities become healthier and stronger."
Themes of community and paying it forward were prevalent as the panelists discussed their experiences – focusing on instilling community values in future generations. Students were encouraged to ask questions, showing fervent passion for their generation’s success professionally and personally.
“Advancing racial and health equity requires investing in long-term solutions to disrupt the status quo and positively change existing structures and systems.” said Bukata Hayes, Vice President of Racial and Health Equity at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. “Empowering and fostering the development of the next generation of diverse youth leaders and changemakers who possess wide ranging experiences, skills, and backgrounds will see creativity thrive, and bridge cultures to ensure all communities are centered and represented ultimately resulting in a more equitable future for all.”
The panel ended with words of encouragement for the audience, emphasizing being ready for every opportunity and it is ok to fail. Students in the audience left with not only better career advice, but better connections to these mentors and understanding of what success can look like for people who started where they are now. Through thoughtful partnership and investment in the growth and empowerment of the future generation of leaders, Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations are actively working together to create a better future for communities across the United States.
About CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
In its 87th year of service, CareFirst, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is a not-for-profit healthcare company which, through its affiliates and subsidiaries, offers a comprehensive portfolio of health insurance products and administrative services to 3.5 million individuals in Maryland, the District of Columbia and Northern Virginia. In 2023, CareFirst infused $233 million in support of regional community impact to improve overall health and advance accessible, affordable, equitable, high-quality healthcare. To learn more about CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, visit www.carefirst.com.
About Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is the largest health insurer in Illinois, serving 9 million members and operating in all 102 Illinois counties. BCBSIL is a division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company and an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
About Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota
For more than 90 years, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (bluecrossmn.com) has supported the health, wellbeing and peace of mind of our members by striving to ensure equitable access to high quality care at an affordable price. We are on a mission to inspire change, transform care and improve health for the people and communities we serve by reinventing both ourselves and the broader system. Our more than 2.5 million members can be found in every Minnesota county, all 50 states and on four continents. As a proud nonprofit organization, we believe working to advance wellness for all Minnesotans is the greatest investment we can make. Our goal is nothing less than for everyone to be able to achieve their full health potential, regardless of race or other socially defined circumstances. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, which serves more than 107 million members across the U.S.