THRIVE – Institute for Inclusive Economies
Building Healthy Communities Kern has long been a champion of health equity — advancing power-building, cross-sector partnerships, and narrative change rooted in inclusion. Through this work, Building Healthy Communities has recognized that to truly achieve equity, communities must not only be engaged in conversations about economic development — they must have the power to actively participate in, influence, and shape it.
Ensuring that our most vulnerable communities can access economic opportunity, experience upward mobility, and benefit from California’s economy requires intentional investment in community leadership and influence.
It is within this vision that we are proud to announce the establishment of the THRIVE Institute for Inclusive Economies.
THRIVE is dedicated to disrupting traditional power dynamics in economic development by empowering community-based leadership to influence planning, investment, and implementation processes — leading to more equitable and community-driven outcomes.
THRIVE will serve as a hub to build power, strengthen organizational capacity, and foster collaboration across sectors — reimagining what prosperity can look like when all communities are positioned to thrive.
As Building Healthy Communities Kern’s economic justice arm, THRIVE will expand its impact beyond Kern County by building partnerships and advancing inclusive economic strategies that reach communities across California.
THRIVE invites partners, leaders, and institutions committed to shaping California’s economic future into one where opportunity is abundant, local economies are strong, and all communities can thrive — together.
Together, we are investing in community leadership, organizational capacity, and the power needed to shape inclusive economic futures.
Let’s build stronger communities together.