Civil Rights Leader, Sickle Cell Fighter Dies

Jim Rawlings, a civil rights champion and health equity advocate who spent decades fighting for everything from good jobs for Black New Haveners to investment in research and treatment for those struggling with sickle cell disease, has died at the age of 81. 

Rawlings passed away on May 25, according to his official obituary, which was posted to the Curvin K. Council Funeral Home’s website on Sunday and which is printed in full below.

Rawlings wore many hats over his decades-long career in New Haven and beyond.

He worked for 35 years at Yale New Haven Hospital, where he served as the hospital’s first Black assistant vice president and executive director of community health. 

He served as president of the Greater New Haven NAACP, chaired the Connecticut Health Equity Commission, was a national trustee of the NAACP, and, up until his passing, was the health chair for the state NAACP. 

And he was president and CEO of the Connecticut chapter of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. In that capacity, he led Michelle’s House, a nonprofit headquartered at Chapel and Orchard Streets that serves as the region’s first education, prevention, and community-support center for people who suffer from sickle cell anemia, a painful and oft-misdiagnosed genetic disease that largely affects African Americans.

“He was a civil rights activist. He was a freedom fighter. He was a huge advocate for the disenfranchised communities,” Connecticut NAACP President Scot X. Esdaile told the Independent. He singled out for praise a 2013 report put out by the state NAACP that Rawlings was the ​“driving force” behind, and that showcased the lack of diversity in hospitals across the state in jobs ranging from doctors to CEOs. That report ​“was a lightning rod that shook the foundation of the healthcare industry,” and was the brainchild of Rawlings.

“Jim mentored all of us,” agreed Dori Dumas, the current president of the Greater New Haven NAACP, and who succeeded Rawlings in that role in 2014. ​“Jim was respected at all levels,” by university presidents and people looking for work alike. Dumas recalled meeting Rawlings 30 years ago when she first became a board member for the Greater New Haven NAACP. What was evident right away was ​“his commitment, his love, his passion, and how serious he was about the work of the NAACP, about civil rights in general, about health equity, about health access.”

“Jim was the kind of person who really sat by and poured into people and made sure to always keep the focus on evening the playing field,” she said. 

Board of Alders President Tyisha Walker-Myers, whose West River/Dwight ward includes Michelle’s House, recalled Rawlings as a uniquely impactful advocate for the African American community in general, and for those with sickle cell disease in particular. ​“I haven’t met anyone as passionate about educating and advocating for people with sickle cell disease,” she recalled. He was dedicated and persistent. ​“We need more of that. I’m going to miss him.”

On May 28, the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, Inc. (SCDAA) posted a message to its website mourning Rawlings’ death. 

“For over 30 years, Mr. Rawlings was a towering figure in the fight against sickle cell disease and a steadfast advocate in the broader public health landscape,” that post reads. ​“His unwavering dedication, passion and advocacy were rooted in a profound commitment to breaking through more than a century of neglect and stagnation surrounding sickle cell disease, particularly as it affects Black and Brown communities.

“Mr. Rawlings championed the voices of the underserved and unrecognized. His tireless efforts, his leadership and his fierce compassion have left an indelible mark not only on our organization but also on the lives of countless individuals and families.”

See below for Rawlings’ full obituary, as posted on the Curvin K. Council Funeral Home’s website.

James E. Rawlings, R. Ph., MPH (1943-2025)

James E. ​“Red Warrior” Rawlings, R.Ph., MPH, a visionary leader in healthcare, civil rights, and Native American advocacy, passed away of natural causes on May 25, 2025. He was 81.

A devoted son, brother, husband, father, and community elder, Mr. Rawlings was predeceased by his father James Rawlings, mother Edna Fisher Rawlings and sister Janice Yancey and is survived by sister Leslie Costa Fortes and his beloved wife, Jennifer Rawlings; sons Devol ​“Skip” Joyner, Andre Joyner, James ​“Jimmy” Rawlings and Jason Rawlings; and daughters Julie Rawlings-Dias and Jennifer Rawlings; and 8 grandchildren Andre, Isaiah, Brooke, Miles, Maya, Dyami, Jaylyn and Bentley and is cherished by many many other loved ones.

James Rawlings grew up in Providence and earned a Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy from the University of Rhode Island and a Master’s in Public Health from Yale University. Mr. Rawlings retired as the first African American Assistant Vice President and Executive Director of Community Health at Yale New Haven Hospital, capping a distinguished 35-year career. During his tenure, he pioneered Connecticut’s first hospital-based adult AIDS and Sickle Cell Programs, both of which received national recognition. He administratively oversaw essential hospital departments including the Emergency Department, Laboratory Medicine, and all medical/surgical units.

Equally impactful outside of the hospital, Mr. Rawlings was a tireless advocate for equity and justice. He served as President of the Greater New Haven NAACP, where he transformed the branch through data-driven strategies and corporate structure and elevated its community impact. Under his leadership, the branch launched New England’s largest Community Health Fair and the region’s first Urban Career Fair for youth.

Mr. Rawlings served on the Board of Directors of the National NAACP and chaired its Sickle Cell Disease Committee. He also served as treasurer for the National Board of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America. He chaired the Connecticut Health Equity Commission and was Health Chair for the CT State NAACP Conference. His lifelong dedication to health equity earned him national honors, including recognition by the National Civic League — an award given to only 35 individuals annually.

Until his passing, Mr. Rawlings served as President and CEO of the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America, CT Chapter (SCDAA.CT), where he founded Michelle’s House — the first Sickle Cell Community Center in the Northeast. He championed academic support for students living with Sickle Cell Disease and spearheaded outreach programs for individuals unaware of their SCD and Sickle Cell Trait status. His leadership brought a unique partnership with CVS Health to advance equity in healthcare for the Sickle Cell community.

In 2014, Mr. Rawlings stepped down from his fourth term as NAACP branch president to focus on another lifelong passion — preserving Native American culture. An elder of the Seaconke Wampanoag Tribe, based in Massachusetts, he worked diligently to ensure that the traditions and teachings of his tribe would live on in both New Haven and his tribal homeland.

James E. Rawlings was also a respected global voice on public health, presenting in Washington D.C., Barcelona, Durban, and Paris. He most recently presided over his final Freedom Fund Dinner as NAACP president at the Omni New Haven Hotel at Yale, where Mayor Toni Harp praised him as ​“a real blessing to our community… [who] has given the organization plenty of heart.”

James served as Chairman of the Board for Ella B. Scantlebury Senior Residence, Dixwell Avenue, New Haven.

A man of unwavering purpose, humility, and compassion, Jim Rawlings devoted his life to enhancing systems of care and building pathways to justice. His legacy lives on in the countless lives he touched — through healing, advocacy, and the powerful example of service.

James loved to travel with his family, especially to Pow Wows and he loved his trips to Point Judith, Rhode Island to get seafood.

Family and friends are warmly invited to attend a visitation at Christ Church, located at 84 Broadway (at the corner of Broadway and Elm Street), New Haven, CT, on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, starting at 10:00 A.M. A Service of Reflections will follow from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. The interment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Michelle’s House, 1389 Chapel Street, New Haven, CT 06511 or by visiting https://www.michelleshousect.org/give