Denver Business Journal Recognizes Children’s Colorado Team Member in 40 Under 40 Awards

Robert Franklin II, Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion Program Manager for Children’s Hospital Colorado, has been recognized among The Denver Business Journal’s 40 under 40. Each year, the publication honors young professionals who are accomplished business leaders from various industries. Franklin and the other 39 members of the 2021 class were selected for being, “movers and shakers in their careers, deeply involved in their communities and dedicated to the causes they love.”

Champion for diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives

“Robert is a dynamic and charismatic young professional who has proven himself to be a leader at Children’s Colorado,” says our President and CEO Jena Hausmann. “As the champion for Diversity, Health Equity & Inclusion initiatives throughout our organization, he has unusual access and visibility to our 9,500 employees, and he has used that visibility to establish himself as a thoughtful, influential and effective leader who is respected by our entire organization.”

Since arriving at Children’s Colorado, Franklin has re-tooled the implicit bias curriculum and delivered the training to thousands of team members, faculty and community members. A deeper understanding of hidden biases helps Children’s Colorado actively confront discrimination.

He has also been a champion for employees. He has helped launch three affinity employee resource groups focused on Black, LatinX and LGBTQIA+ communities. The groups offer valuable support and connections to improve members’ work experiences. They’ve been so successful that this year, Franklin is helping to launch three more. 

Instrumental in launching Black Health Initiative

Franklin helped Children’s Colorado launch its Black Health Initiative (BHI) two years ago. The BHI plays a critical role in identifying and eliminating structural racism and improving the health outcomes of Black families. The initiative focuses especially on Black mothers and children, who nationally experience rates of prematurity and infant mortality at much higher rates than any other population.

A leading consultant in racial equity and racial literacy trainings

“In addition to being a leader within Children’s Colorado, Robert has demonstrated himself to be an influential leader within the broader business community,” Hausmann says. 

Franklin is regularly asked to lead racial equity and literacy trainings for outside organizations. He has done trainings for organizations as large as the U.S. Army.

Franklin also serves as a frequent moderator and participant on racial equity panels. Last year, he participated in a televised town hall on racism hosted by KMGH-TV (Channel 7) and the Girl Scouts. As a consultant to Denver Parks & Recreation, he has trained over 700 summer camp and afterschool program staff about differences, youth and family engagement, and mitigating biases.

Committed to social justice and equity throughout the entire community

Franklin has been active in associations including the Denver Mayor’s Youth Commission, the Colorado Public Health Association, the Denver Afterschool Alliance, the Aurora Health Alliance, the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence and the Family Leadership Training Institute.