Founder/Chief Change Agent
Kuumba, LLC
FOCUS
Dr. Harvey Hinton III’s vision for building a Culture of Health in the Durham, NC community focuses on the importance of healing and restoration as an alternative to traditional trauma-informed approaches. He believes that this approach, centered on the affirmation of “What’s right with you?” rather than “What happened to you?” can foster creativity, wellness, and restorative actions, countering the pervasive impacts of racism and violence. Dr. Hinton is not trying to fix a person, He is trying to fix the conditions and give people better options which will lead to better outcomes. Community is about finding people’s space of belonging, an individual being able to find a group or being a part of something. This a personal invitation for each person he comes in contact with to engage in their own healing.
The problem that Dr. Hinton seeks to address is the prevalence of trauma and its impacts on individuals, relationships, communities, and society. Trauma can manifest in various forms, including substance abuse, violence, anxiety, depression, and poor health. Social structures such as gender discrimination, racism, classism, and xenophobia, as well as economic instability, job scarcity, food insecurity, and housing shortage, can exacerbate trauma and its impacts.
Dr. Hinton’s approach to addressing this problem is through community-engaged healing (intentional time space and place to do things that are informative, restorative and fun), grounded in African American culture, spirituality, and civic action. He emphasizes inclusivity and accessibility for all members of the community, regardless of their background, identity, or beliefs. Through the power of people in the community engaging in the activities that help them heal, we align these healing processes with the aspirations and dreams of the African American community, Dr. Hinton believes that community members can engage in the healing process, foster well-being and resilience, and address the impacts of trauma.
To supplement traditional trauma-informed approaches, Dr. Hinton’s Community Engaged Healing approach recognizes the importance of healing and restoration, moving beyond the identification and management of trauma symptoms to actively promote well-being and resilience. This approach centers on collaboration, inclusivity, accessibility, and community-driven action, recognizing the potential for healing that exists within communities. By embracing these values and principles, Dr. Hinton’s approach can effectively address the impacts of trauma and promote a Culture of Health focused on healing and restoration.
STRATEGIC INITIATIVE: KuumbaPro Healing Portal
I am Dr. Harvey Hinton III, and I am working to create a Culture of Health that recognizes the power of healing communities. Instead of asking, “What happened to you?” I am actively promoting community-engaged healing. With this strategic initiative, I am launching KuumbaPro, a community-engaged healing portal that encourages people to take an active part in their healing. In my own words, “Kuumba, which means creativity, is the sixth principle of the African-American cultural celebration known as Kwanzaa. The principle is to always do as much as we can, in the way we can, in order to leave our community more beautiful and beneficial than we found it.” KuumbaPro is needed to connect individuals with culturally relevant healing activities to counter societal unrest and experiences in an inherently racist society. The result is wholeness for people and communities, improved health outcomes, social cohesion, and workplace satisfaction.
MORE ABOUT HARVEY
Dr. Harvey Hinton III is a Joy, Equity, Blackness, Belonging, Education, Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Healing (JEBBEDIAH) thought leader who is deeply committed to promoting equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of his work. With nearly 20 years of experience in youth development, community engagement, higher education, and the not-for-profit sector, Dr. Hinton has honed his skills and expertise in promoting positive change in his community.
As the founder and CEO of Kuumba, LLC, Dr. Hinton is leading the charge to establish community-engaged healing as a non-clinical approach to addressing the stress of violence and racism as public health issues. His work at Kuumba is a testament to his dedication to promoting healing, access, and inclusion in healthcare and beyond.
Through his participation in the Culture of Health Leaders program, Dr. Hinton hopes to gain new insights and perspectives that will help him to better serve his community and advance his vision for a culture of health that prioritizes equity and healing for all. He is excited about the opportunity to connect with other leaders who share his passion for promoting social justice and healing, and is committed to using his skills and expertise to make a positive impact in his community and beyond.
Click here to watch Harvey’s Legacy Project video.