One School, One Vaccine at a Time: A Movement for Health Equity in Aurora

When I first started my journey in health advocacy over 30 years ago, I never imagined that it would lead me here—standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow immigrant leaders, building a revolution in school-based health, and rewriting the public health narrative in Colorado.

Today, I’m honored to share the story of One School, One Vaccine at a Time—a grassroots initiative that’s reshaping health access for students and families in Aurora Public Schools. This campaign, which I am proud to co-lead with the incredible Dr. Anne Keke, is not just about vaccines. It’s about dignity, visibility, and justice.

Why We’re Leading This Movement

In many immigrant communities, healthcare is complicated—not just by language barriers or lack of insurance, but by fear, misinformation, and systemic neglect. Too often, families go without preventative care because the systems meant to serve them are not built with them in mind.

That’s where this movement was born. We asked ourselves: What if schools—trusted, familiar, community-centered spaces—could become places of healing, education, and empowerment?

And so, One School, One Vaccine at a Time was born.

Through partnerships with Aurora Public Schools, community organizations, and health agencies, we bring culturally responsive vaccine clinics and multilingual education directly into school communities. We don’t wait for families to find the system—we bring the system to them, in a way that respects who they are.

Meet Dr. Anne Keke: Educator, Advocate, and Changemaker

One of the greatest joys of this work has been partnering with Dr. Anne Keke, a powerhouse educator, community leader, and immigrant from Côte d’Ivoire, West Africa. Her journey is as inspiring as it is impactful.

Dr. Keke currently serves as a coach mentor coordinator and adjunct criminal justice instructor at Red Rocks Community College. Before that, she worked as a Career Technical Education instructor and as a Restorative Justice Coordinator—roles that speak to her deep commitment to safe, equitable learning environments. Her background also includes data analysis with UnitedHealth Group, giving her a unique insight into how health and education intersect.

More than anything, Dr. Keke believes in the power of education to change lives—a belief that guides every step she takes. Her leadership, empathy, and clarity of vision have helped shape this initiative into a true community-centered movement.

What Makes One School, One Vaccine at a Time Different?

This isn’t a traditional outreach campaign. It’s a revolution in trust-building—especially for immigrant and refugee families who have historically been left out of the healthcare system. We’re not just offering vaccines; we’re offering safety, understanding, and culturally rooted advocacy.

Each school clinic we host includes:

• Culturally competent staff and interpreters

• Family-friendly health education

• Resources on broader health topics (like diabetes prevention and mental wellness)

• Space for conversation, questions, and healing

And perhaps most importantly, we create an environment where students and families feel seen, heard, and respected.

The Power of Representation

As two immigrant women of color—one Latina, one African—we are not just leading this work. We are this work. Our experiences fuel our passion, and our communities are the reason we refuse to back down. We know what it means to be excluded. We know what it means to be underestimated. And we know that real change doesn’t happen in boardrooms alone—it happens in school gyms, on playgrounds, and across kitchen tables.

Where We’re Headed

The movement is just beginning. Our goal is to expand One School, One Vaccine at a Time across Colorado and beyond. We want to see school-based health models that center equity become the norm, not the exception.

And we invite you to be part of it.

Whether you’re a parent, educator, policymaker, or advocate, you have a role to play. Join us in building a future where every child—regardless of background—has the opportunity to live a healthy, protected life.

Because when we say One school, one vaccine, one future—equally protected, we mean it.