This year, The Center at Sierra Health Foundation is honored to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Black Child Legacy Campaign—a landmark community-driven movement that has reshaped how Sacramento County protects and uplifts Black children and families. To commemorate this milestone, we invite you to watch our new anniversary video.
Over the past decade, Black Child Legacy Campaign has stood as one of The Center’s most impactful programs—an example of what becomes possible when communities, philanthropy and public systems work hand-in-hand. Rooted in data, accountability and neighborhood leadership, Black Child Legacy Campaign was created in 2015 through the Steering Committee on Reduction of African American Child Deaths, after a County Blue Ribbon Commission addressed reports revealing that Black children were dying at more than twice the rate of any other group in Sacramento County. Together with the County, First 5 Sacramento and trusted community organizations, The Center helped launch a bold, collaborative effort to reverse this long-standing inequity.
The results speak for themselves. By 2020, Black child deaths had decreased by 27%—far surpassing the initial goal of a 10–20% reduction. At various points throughout the campaign, juvenile homicides dropped to zero, safe sleep education reached regional scale and disparity gaps narrowed dramatically, including a 96% reduction related to child abuse and neglect.
In the anniversary video, partners reflect on what this journey has meant. “There are few times you see a 10-year initiative…and it’s even rarer to see it for children of color—let alone, Black children,” shared Sierra Health Foundation President and CEO Chet P. Hewitt. “We have focused on a very specific population, and the policy impacts of this work have impacted people far beyond the African-American community.”
Sacramento County Supervisor Phil Serna adds: “We are celebrating the fact that we have young people out there—maybe four or five, 10 years old now—that perhaps wouldn’t be with us…if it wasn’t for the community.,”
As we mark this decade of progress, we also acknowledge that the work is far from finished. Black Child Legacy Campaign’s proven model—combining neighborhood-based data, wraparound supports and culturally informed care—continues to strengthen families and build a healthier, more equitable future for Black children across Sacramento and beyond.
Join us in honoring 10 years of community-led change at BlackChildLegacy.org.