African Americans in Southeastern San Diego are more likely to suffer heart attacks and strokes than residents anywhere else in San Diego County. During the iconic Juneteenth Celebration on June 19, 2015, Faith leaders announced the launch of Southeastern San Diego Cardiac Disparities Project. This is a three year project to reduce cardiovascular disease in the African American community. The project is funded by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health (REACH) Grant.

The Southeastern San Diego Cardiac Disparities Project is led by a coalition of organizations and community partners, including Be There San Diego, United African American Ministerial Action Council, Multicultural Health Foundation, and pastors and leaders from a diverse coalition of faith-based organizations. It works with faith-based organizations and health practitioners in the community to begin to turn the tide against cardiovascular disease.

Today, one year after the launch of the project, twenty-two faith-based organizations are working directly with community residents to develop practices that promote heart-health and reduce the risk factors for heart attacks and strokes. Meanwhile, health practitioners are working to identify and adopt changes within their organizations to promote the cardiovascular health of patients. This project has resulted in a robust learning community where practitioners, faith leaders, patients and community stakeholders work together to develop the best practices to emphasize patient-centered care; family and community involvement; and promote cardiovascular health through prevention, detection and treatment of risk factors.