Dr. William Conan Davis’ innovations made a huge impact on the world, but he was at his most powerful on the local level. Here’s three ways he made life better, right where he was.
#1: Education
“Educate people about their healthcare. Enabling you to do something about it.” Davis knew about the power of educating his people, and he did that by having a sickle cell anemia campaign that not only educated patients on the disease but also on how they could fight a disease that disproportionately affects Black people.
#2: Working With The Black Panthers
Davis collaborated with the Portland Black Panther Party in 1970 to create a medical clinic that gave local Black people the free healthcare we deserved.
#3: Helping Preserve A Historically Black Neighborhood
A hospital wanted to destroy a historically Black Portland neighborhood, but the biochemist wasn’t going to let that happen without a fight. Helping launch the Black Community Survival Conference, he protested the expansion to help preserve Black history.
Dr. William Conan Davis fought against racism locally by sharing his knowledge, expertise, and time to preserve Black lives and Black history. We can continue in his footsteps by using our personal power to work locally. How can you make a difference right where you are?