Dr. George Newby, Jr. Health Equity Leadership Award
The Mary Black Foundation established the Dr. George Newby, Jr. Health Equity Leadership Award in honor of George Paul Archie Newby, Jr. Dr. Newby dedicated his professional life to ensuring accessible healthcare for all. He attended The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and obtained a Master of Public Health from Yale University and a Doctor of Public Health from The University of South Carolina. As the former CEO of ReGenesis Health Care and as a professor at USC Upstate, Dr. Newby became a friend to and partner with the Mary Black Foundation on a variety of community initiatives. We were deeply saddened by his death due to COVID on October 17, 2020.
With this award, the Foundation seeks to honor Dr. Newby, recognize and celebrate others working to carry on his legacy, and encourage more people and organizations to explore how they can advance health equity to ensure all people in Spartanburg County have access to opportunities to thrive, both physically and mentally.
The award includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. If an individual or organization not considered tax-exempt is recognized, they will work with the Foundation to designate a tax-exempt organization serving Spartanburg County to receive the $25,000 grant.
Nomination Process and Timeline
The Dr. George Newby, Jr. Health Equity Leadership Award will be presented to an outstanding individual or organization working to advance health equity by ensuring that all people in Spartanburg County, SC have access to opportunities for health and well-being regardless of who they are or where they live. Nominees should be able to demonstrate their commitment to:
- Using data to identify, prioritize, and improve outcomes for those most impacted by health inequities.
- Addressing the social and community context that shapes individuals’ ability to access opportunity, including those outlined in the Foundation’s Health Equity Framework:
- Accessible, Affordable, and Culturally Relevant Health Care
- High Quality Education and Employment
- Safe and Supportive Neighborhoods
- Looking beyond programs and services to the systems changes needed to reduce health inequities.
- Ongoing and authentic engagement of those most impacted by health inequities.
Nominations are now closed. Please check back in early 2025 for more information on how to submit a nomination for the 2025 award.
Previous Award Recipients
2024: Antiwan Tate
Antiwan Tate’s work through My Brother’s Keeper-Spartanburg uses the guiding principle of belonging to address the social-emotional health and well-being of young men of color in our community. The initiative’s evidence-based approach and curriculum reaches youth at a young age and walks alongside them through young adulthood.
2023: Mount Moriah Baptist Church
Mount Moriah Baptist Church has worked for over 40 years to reduce health inequities and disparities in Spartanburg’s Southside community. Their long list of impactful programs and resources includes the Mount Moriah Diabetes Support Group, the Exercise Ministry, mental health counseling, health and dental screenings, and weekly food distribution.
2022: Nora Curiel
Nora Curiel of Vida y Salud (formerly PASOs Spartanburg) was named the inaugural Dr. George Newby Jr. Health Equity Leadership Award recipient.
Nora Curiel’s work with Vida y Salud supports the Latino community in Spartanburg with education, advocacy, and leadership development.