March 2025

On March 7, 2025, the 4 Communities By Communities (4CBYC) team facilitated a Rapid Qualitative Analysis Training session preparing developing researchers to effectively analyze qualitative data from various sources (e.g. interviews, focus group discussions, and surveys) to rapidly uncover key insights in data.

During the session, the 48 participants learned from experts specific techniques to quickly identify patterns and themes within qualitative data, participated in real-time qualitative data coding and analysis examples, and practiced structuring and reporting qualitative findings, all to empower them to make data-informed decisions, draw actionable conclusions, and contribute confidently to qualitative papers for publication. 

The 4CBYC team is grateful for all of those who attended and excited to support the participants moving forward in their qualitative data analysis work.

The Partners4Health Grantathon was held March 3-7 and brought together the nine finalists from the recent open call to continue developing their competitive grant proposals focused on HIV prevention, mental health, and health equity in the Midwest. Over five days, participants engaged in workshops, storytelling exercises, and collaborative discussions, culminating in innovative ideas and actionable plans for impactful grant submissions. 

The finalists are continuing to work together as they prepare to submit a collective R01 grant later this spring, focused on innovative approaches to HIV prevention and care in the Midwest. 

Highlights from each day of the event are listed below. 

March 3, 2025: Participants shared their dreams and connected them to grant writing. Finalists presented their innovative ideas to address the HIV epidemic in St. Louis.

March 4, 2025: Dr. Temi led the session and focused on the relationship between storytelling and problem-solving. The group reviewed a successful $6 million grant from Nigeria and decided to use the R21 grant mechanism for their proposals.

March 5, 2025: Dr. Funto led a detailed review of the R21 RFA and finalist Kiwan presented his idea to use motorsports for mental health and HIV prevention.

March 6, 2025: Participants refined their ideas and Fithi presented her proposal to address high HIV rates among immigrant youth in St. Louis.

March 7. 2025: Dr. Juliet provided feedback on final pitches, emphasizing innovation and scalability. Dr. Juliet, Dr. Temi, and Dr. Funto closed the grantathon by congratulating each of the participants and sharing plans for their continued work over the next few months preparing for their grant submission, reminding each of them a message we believe everyone can benefit from:

One of the Light Institute's programs, LIGHT (Leaders Igniting Generational Healing & Transformation), has three upcoming events that you don't want to miss! 

LIGHT Open Call

Ends May 1, 2025 | Virtual

LIGHT is holding an open call inviting artists, writers, and storytellers to reflect on public health and answer the question “How might we build public health systems that are trustworthy?” creatively in an original piece of art, story, poem, or letter by May 1, 2025.

Creativity has always been at the heart of revolution— let your voice be part of it.

LIGHT Creativity in Public Health Summer Camp

June 2 - 6, 2025 | St. Louis, MO

LIGHT is inviting students entering 5th – 8th grade to join us for a 5-day program created to engage youth in the arts, creative writing, and public health through visual art, letter writing, poetry, and storytelling. We will encourage and empower young learners to grow more confident in both their artistic and creative writing skills, using their imagination and lived experiences as inspiration. 

LIGHT Festival

June 19, 2025 | In-person and virtual

 The third annual LIGHT Festival is returning this summer and welcomes everyone in the field of public health and all members of the public—artists, poets, practitioners, storytellers, and the like—who have an interest in communicating public health information in a way that is meaningful and resonates with all. This event bridges the divide between public health researchers and the public by creating opportunities to connect with one another and explore the power of creative expression in building and restoring the public's health.

If you have questions about any of these events, contact Alexis Engelhart at alexise@wustl.edu. 

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Mailing Address: 660 S. Euclid Ave.
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