Colectivo Health is a Latine-founded health equity, civic engagement, and inclusive design firm that believes in redefining innovation through a culturally informed and values-driven approach.
WHO WE ARE
We are committed to developing thought leadership and solutions that honor the work of scholars and experts in anti-racism, decolonization, and equitable design. Through this approach, we aim to amplify the nuanced perspectives and textured human experiences of our communities beyond the white gaze.
As partners, we offer a creative, strategic and rigorous approach that applies a cultural lens to civic engagement and solution development.
What we believe
Culture influences
A sense of humility and appreciation for how culture influences individuals and communities.
Health justice is rooted in anti-racism, decolonization, and equitable design
Dismantling inequitable systems requires active learning and unlearning. This is not passive work.
Designing for historically marginalized communities benefits everyone
To advance one, is to advance all. Our existence and lifting up voices should not be used to further divisive rhetoric.
Latine communities have always been innovators
For generations, our families have found ways to thrive by developing an innovative mindset with often limited resources.
“Nobody in the world, nobody in history, has ever gotten their freedom by appealing to the moral sense of the people who were oppressing them.”
— Assata Shakur, Assata: An Autobiography
Why Latine?
As you may have noticed, we use the term “Latine” when referring to the broader community of folks of Latin American origin or descent. While there are varying levels of familiarity or preference with the term, we intentionally use it to center both racial and gender equity in how we build.
Centering racial equity:
By using Latino/a instead of Hispanic, we recognize our African and Indigenous roots as well as non-Spanish speaking countries (Brazil and Haiti) and those that continue to speak pre-colonization, native languages.
Centering gender equity:
By using Latinx or Latine instead of Latino/a, we recognize non-binary folks (which have long existed in our communities) and transgender folks who center that identity.
Our Approach
While our identities and culture influence our perspective, our values-driven approach is designed to challenge siloed and zero-sum thinking for the benefit of all communities through a shared vision of a more just and equitable healthcare system.