A Message from the Executive Director

by Curtis Holloman, Executive Director, Foundation for a Healthy High Point

As summer winds down and students head back to school, I’ve been reflecting on what it means to keep building healthier systems and stronger communities in the middle of so much change. This has been a season marked by uncertainty, from proposed Medicaid cuts and abrupt cancellations of funding to state-level pressures on nonprofits and local governments to censor language. These curve balls create an atmosphere of fear and disruption, and they threaten access to the very support that families depend on, from health care to food assistance.

At the Foundation, we know that health is shaped not only by medical care but also by the ways we show up for one another as neighbors, colleagues, and partners. Equity and inclusion are not afterthoughts in this work. They are central to building healthier systems and stronger communities.

That’s why I’m especially grateful to our Board Member, Eva Ogden, for sharing her perspective in this edition. She reflects on the evolving language of diversity, equity, and inclusion and how organizations can stay true to the values behind the words while navigating today’s realities. Her insights are practical and hopeful, reminding us that language matters, but so do compassion, empathy, and the everyday choices that bring people together.

We know that equity is more than an aspiration, it’s something leaders wrestle with in real time as policies shift and expectations change. Our partners often face tough choices about language, identity, and how to stay true to their mission while adapting to external pressures. That’s why I’m grateful to share the perspective of Shereá Burnett, Executive Director of Partners Ending Homelessness. Shereá offers a candid reflection on what it means to lead with courage when the rules keep changing, and how nonprofits can stay grounded in their values while navigating uncertainty. Her perspective is both real and encouraging, and I believe it will resonate with anyone committed to building a healthier, more equitable High Point.

We also value the wisdom and lived experience of leaders who have dedicated their careers to building stronger communities. Their stories remind us that the work of health and equity is shaped not only by strategy and policy, but by the personal journeys that lead people to serve. That’s why I’m glad to share a conversation with Barbara Frye. Barbara reflects on her path in leadership, the lessons she has learned along the way, and the values that continue to guide her. Her insights offer both encouragement and perspective, and I believe they will inspire all of us who care about making a lasting difference in High Point.

This summer we announced our spring 2025 grant awards, in support of local organizations addressing the upstream causes of health disparities and efforts that strengthen community well-being. Eight organizations received funding for work in areas such as behavioral health, capacity building, and youth development. Their efforts give me great hope, and I’m excited to look ahead to our next round of recipients this December. So, while these are not easy times, they are also times that call us back to what matters most, compassion, courage, and connection. I am deeply grateful to our partners and neighbors who continue to fight for health and equity, and I remain hopeful that together, we can keep moving toward a more caring, kind, and inclusive community.

So, while these are not easy times, they are also times that call us back to what matters most, compassion, courage, and connection. I am deeply grateful to our partners and neighbors who continue to fight for health and equity, and I remain hopeful that together, we can keep moving toward a more caring, kind, and inclusive community.