Episode Overview

In this episode of Pioneers of Possibility, host Karim Afzal sits down with Michael Rashid to explore an extraordinary life shaped by both hardship and hope. From growing up in segregated Birmingham, Alabama - on the infamous “Dynamite Hill” - to leading one of the largest managed care organizations in the country, Rashid’s story bridges the civil rights era with the modern pursuit of health equity.

Together, they discuss how Rashid’s early experiences under apartheid-like conditions inspired a lifelong commitment to community service, leadership, and expanding healthcare access for underserved populations.

Key Topics

* Growing up in 1950s Birmingham amid racial terror and the civil rights movement

* The influence of Rashid’s father and community activism on his worldview

* Personal memories of the 16th Street Baptist Church bombing

* The pivotal role of education — and how a counselor’s doubt redirected his career

* From community health centers to CEO: a journey through healthcare leadership

* Expanding AmeriHealth from 200,000 to 6 million members across 16 states

* Lessons in purpose-driven leadership, mentorship, and legacy

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