Empowered
to Serve™

Structural racism is the overarching system in which public policies, institutional practices, cultural representations and other norms perpetuate racial inequity.
Woman Getting Vaccinated

EmPOWERED to Serve is a platform inspired by American Heart Association volunteers around the country who are passionate about driving change through health justice and empowerment in their communities.

Communities need localized solutions that will help individuals and families escalate beyond poverty and achieve improved life outcomes. No one knows the changes needed in a community as well as the members themselves. Read about our focus areas and impact goals.

Applications are now open for the Empowered Scholars program!

Undergraduate students who volunteer in their communities are eligible to apply. Join our alumni and build better health equity across the country.
headshots of three 2023 EmPOWERED Scholars arranged in a graphical pattern

Business Accelerator

A digital graphic shows "accelerator" in bold white letters on top of "open" in the style of a red neon sign. The words "apply here" appear along the bottom.

Empowering social and health tech entrepreneurs through training and funding. Are you the next big founder?

Health Lessons

19 science-based toolkits covering topics such as CPR, spotting a stroke, controlling cholesterol and more.

AHA Scholars

American Heart Association Scholars Program visual shows a smartphone with a photo of EmPOWERED Scholar Perisa Ashar from Duke University

Together, it’s about our future. Become a change agent. Now accepting applications.

Sharing Your Story Can Help Save Lives

Go Red for Women will soon be looking for its 2025 Class of Survivors! This group of heart disease and stroke survivors share their stories to empower women to be aware of their No. 1 health threat – cardiovascular disease.
2025 Class of Survivors

Impact in the Heart of the Community

 
The 2024 Impact With Heart celebrated community trailblazers at the 2nd annual awards ceremony that recognizes changemakers committed to achieving equitable health for all.

The American Heart Association salutes this year’s awardees, Andrew Suggs, Damar Hamlin, and Ashley Williams for the advances made possible through their entrepreneurship and voices.

From left to right: Damar Hamlin, Ashley Williams and Andrew Suggs holding their Impact With Heart awards in front of a step and repeat background.
Damar Hamlin, Ashley Williams and Andrew Suggs (Wjj Photography)
A Baltimore Delta Sigma Theta sorority member is practicing chest compressions on a CPR dummy inside a retail store.

Did you know that Black Americans who have a cardiac incident are less likely to receive CPR from a bystander?

The Baltimore City Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. is on a mission to make a change by supporting the American Heart Association. The sorority hosted a heart health fair to train individuals over age 9 how to perform Hands-Only CPR. The Association is grateful to this tremendous organization for its support during American Heart Month and Black History Month.
head shot of Sybil Wilkes, a Black woman smiling and wearing a black top and a silver necklace

Check In & Check Up for Your Health with Sybil Wilkes

Don’t miss this!
Host Sybil Wilkes calls on community partners to inform and empower Black Americans for better health. Watch past shows, or tune in to her livestream.
Katrina McGhee and Lili Gil Valletta

Live Fierce / Atrévete a Vivir Podcasts

Science meets self-care. This fun and dynamic series features podcasts hosted by American Heart Association Executive VP of Marketing and Communications Katrina McGhee—who is also a longtime professional coach—and Lili Gil Valletta, co-founder and CEO of the cultural intelligence firms CIEN + and Culturintel.

Health Equity in the Workplace

The American Heart Association’s CEO Roundtable is working to eliminate workplace inequities that harm the health and well-being of employees, businesses and communities. The Roundtable’s new report, developed by business leaders and health experts, provides actionable strategies and principles employers can use to build toward health equity.
group of diverse people in a work environment posing for photo while smiling

Watch EmPOWERED to Serve in Action

Videos that reflect the powerful impact EmPOWERED to Serve has in the community.
Stories that transform the world in which we live.