Reclaiming Our Stories
About This Initiative
In alignment with the University of Illinois Chicago’s mission and values during these changing times, we will focus on and celebrate the Odehmenan Health Equity Center’s (Odeh Center) mission and vision through its five core commitments, shown below.
We have chosen a honey bee as the icon for this project. The bee represents what it means to move and build community together. Without bees there is no life; similarly, without community, there is no flourishing. Thus, the honeybee serves as a symbol to represent the rebirth and wisdom foundational to this initiative, as we come together to learn, grow and conquer challenges together.
Our Core Commitments
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Trust
Cultivate trust with our communities, both within and outside of UIC.
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Health Equity
Mitigate health inequities through our education, research and clinical practice.
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Community Care
There is power in numbers, with vulnerability and consistent support for one another.
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Cultural Humility
Deepen our self-reflection, question power dynamics and cultivate mutually beneficial relationships.
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Flourishing
Look beyond recruitment and retention, with a focus on flourishing.
Purpose
The goal of the Reclaiming Our Stories initiative is to re-center and renew those five core commitments through various strategic avenues and storytelling that bring them to life through the eyes and voices of students, faculty, staff and community partners.
Participate
Phase I: Summer 2025
Visit the Odehmenan Health Equity Center and leave with new merch!
Come into the Odeh Center on the second floor of the Library of Health Sciences to complete some work or take a study break with friends. Reflect on our five core commitments (trust, health equity, community care, cultural humility, and flourishing) and have an Odeh Center staff member record a video of you sharing what any of them mean to you.
Upon completing the recording and signing our release form, you will receive either an Odeh Center hoodie or zip-up of your choice! Read on to Phase II to see how your stories will be shared during the fall semester.
Phase II: Fall 2025
Come watch the video compilation of what your peers and colleagues think about our core commitments.
Join us as we inaugurate the video that we have been creating throughout the summer where students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community partners share their thoughts on trust, health equity, community care, cultural humility, and flourishing.
Wednesday, August 27, midday, UIC Medical Sciences Courtyard (exact time and location TBA)
Phase II (Cont.): Fall 2025
Join us at our upcoming Odeh Center fall programming and leave with a full heart, mind and belly!
Come be in community with us as we take a journey through our five core commitments. Trust is intentionally our first core commitment as nothing can be accomplished withouta it. Dr. Karriem Watson, our new executive director of the UI Health Mile Square Health Center, will lead us in a talk and discussion about the importance of cultivating trust within and outside of our communities for the betterment of our education, clinical care and research.
Wednesday, August 27, 2025, midday, UIC Medical Sciences Courtyard (exact time and location TBA)
Share
Samina Vahora helps launch Reclaiming Our Stories by sharing what Trust means to her.
Further Updates
By the end of the semester, our programming will have made it through each core commitment and will culminate with “Flourishing” via our Signature Community Event. Our other programs will be monthly, one hour-long talks that will form a Special Edition of our Odehmenan Health Equity Speaker Series from September through November.
Subscribe to our Odeh Center Newsletters to receive updates on speaker information and exact dates, times, and locations. Check back on this page as we will update it with more details throughout the summer.