Wynfred Russell,
Founder
Bridging Gaps in Health Equity Since 2023
Our Journey Toward Health Equity
OUR STORY
SARX is a Black-led nonprofit organization committed to addressing the social determinants of health, disease, and inequity in Minnesota and across Africa. We believe that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities achieve better health outcomes when community members and healthcare providers make data-driven decisions informed by culturally relevant, evidence-based practices. At SARX, we understand that data without cultural context has limited impact.
Founded in 2024 by Wynfred Russell, SARX emerged from his successful establishment of the African Career, Education & Resource, Inc. (ACER) organization on February 8, 2008. SARX was created with a clear vision: to advance healthcare access and outcomes for BIPOC communities through culturally responsive approaches centered on meaningful data and community engagement. We work diligently to bridge gaps in care and create sustainable solutions for health equity.
Wynfred brings over 15 years of public health expertise to SARX, including frontline experience addressing major health crises such as HIV/AIDS, H1N1, and COVID-19 in Minnesota and Ebola and polio outbreaks across Africa. This extensive background informs SARX’s commitment to delivering impactful, community-informed solutions that address local and global health challenges.
SARX transforms how health services are designed and delivered to historically marginalized populations through partnerships with communities, healthcare systems, and policymakers. Our work centers on the belief that health equity is achievable when solutions are developed with— not just for — the communities they serve
Mission
SARX strengthens health systems through capacity building, evaluating, and implementing data-driven solutions.
Our mission responds to the context of local needs, providing BIPOC and underserved communities with tools to lead healthier lives. We center BIPOC voices, perspectives, and experiences to combat systemic racism and promote inclusive practices across organizations and institutions.
vision
We envision a healthier Minnesota where BIPOC and low-income people are secure, healthy, and prosperous. Our vision includes dismantling systems that perpetuate barriers and fostering equitable opportunities for all.
purpose
Core Values
Equity & Inclusion
We believe health is a right, not a privilege. Structural racism remains a fundamental cause of health inequities. SARX aims to reinvent unjust laws and practices by fostering a culture of equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Internally model community-centered values
Listen through surveys, interviews, and feedback
Design context-specific interventions
Evaluate impact honestly and empathetically
Data-Driven
Data illuminates inequities in housing, jobs, air quality, and other health determinants. SARX empowers communities and providers with timely, localized health data to target resources and track progress.
Internally model community-centered values
Listen through surveys, interviews, and feedback
Design context-specific interventions
Evaluate impact honestly and empathetically
Evidence-Based Practice
Data must be contextualized through lived experience. SARX uses accurate interpretation to inform tailored interventions that enhance public health outcomes.
Internally model community-centered values
Listen through surveys, interviews, and feedback
Design context-specific interventions
Evaluate impact honestly and empathetically
Engagement
We partner with integrity and humility, valuing the input of our communities, colleagues, and collaborators to drive more effective solutions.
Our TEAM
The SARX team comprises highly effective professionals from the community, including academia and practice, who recognize and respect the diversity of understanding.
We are devoted to the organization’s ambitious goals of scaling evidence-based interventions that build the capacity of providers and community members to improve health outcomes. Thus, the team derives its responsibility through its sense of professional ownership of the value of health competency, training, research, and direct engagement to deploy delivery models and build the partner architecture to replicate successful interventions and models across the state.
Wynfred Russell
Founder & Executive Director
Frances Tyler
Co-founder & Operations Manager
Trokon Page
Finance Manager
board
Linda
Freemon
Bernard Ochieng
Richard
Post
Molley
Kamara
Dr. Julia Gibson
Toniah
Russell
Partners
Manka Nkimbeng, PhD, MPH, RN
Emma Jean Boyce, PhD, MPharm, MS
Aisha Giwa, PhD, MPH
Alvin Killough, PhD
Mrs. Eryn Killough, MS