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