Room at the Table

A Leader's Guide to Advancing Health Equity and Inclusion

By: Dr. Renée Branch Canady

Narrated by: Joslyn Johnson

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.

©2023 Renée Branch Canady (P)2025 Renée Branch Canady

Loved this book!

The author’s intentionality and breadth of experience was comprehensively and exceptionally delivered. The content, the stories, and the elements of change enriched my reading experience. I’ll be returning to this book in the future.