**Published in Progress in Community Health Partnerships (PCHP) volume 16.3. All rights reserved.**
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this brief report was to qualitatively explore barriers to fostering equitable partnerships between Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and Traditional Public Health (TPH) groups, and to provide interviewee-driven recommendations. We conducted semi-structured interviews from February-June 2019 with representatives from CBOs (n=9), TPH groups (n=12), and the Praxis Project (n=2). We utilized thematic analysis with a priori categories (e.g., barriers) and themes being allowed to emerge within the categories. Interviewees discussed group tensions arising from power dynamics, initial distrust, and inherent differences. Also, the TPH-dominated funding landscape reportedly caused issues for CBOs, such as mission distortion, inequitable funding distribution, and lack of long-term funding. Interviewees suggested several potential solutions such as personal relationship building, addressing power dynamics, and inclusive funding agenda-setting processes. Those working in public health can follow the practical guidance presented in this study and others to foster equitable partnerships with communities and the CBOs that represent them.