“The state of a Black woman’s health is at the cornerstone of the Black community, but there are so many health disparities that impact Black women...The health care system is not set up for us, so my work is really focused on uplifting community solutions towards promoting Black maternal health and well-being that already exist.”

What was that moment in your life when you decided you wanted to study public health?

“Consistently, the Black side of my family lived lives that were decades shorter than the white side. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I decided to leave my job as an accountant and do an online certification to become a health coach for Black and Brown women. I got involved with the Power of People Leadership Institute, which partnered with the University on clinics during the pandemic. I also became a mom, and all those events inspired me to do work that could help Black and Brown women live longer, healthier lives.”

What specific issue, problem, or area of research in public health do you care the most about and why? 

“The state of a Black woman’s health is at the cornerstone of the Black community, but there are so many health disparities that impact Black women. Even before I was pregnant, I had been researching maternal health for years because I was so terrified of what could happen. The health care system is not set up for us, so my work is really focused on uplifting community solutions towards promoting Black maternal health and well-being that already exist.”

Are you currently involved in any public health research or professional work? 

“Last semester, I was the reproductive justice research assistant for JIWC, an organization focused on maternal and child health and health equity. Over the summer, I spent my applied practice experience working with the Birth Justice Collaborative which connects partners in African American and American Indian communities in Minnesota. I recently accepted a co-director role with this collaborative, which is very exciting. Birth Justice has recently created a few initiatives that are completely community-led and community-informed that focus on cross-cultural healing.”

Why did you choose to come to the U of M School of Public Health? 

“One of my colleagues got her MPH, and I saw myself in her. She is a Black woman, a mom, and worked as a health equity fellow at the Minneapolis Heart Institute. Hearing her experiences inspired me to look into SPH’s programs, and that’s when I found out that the SPH maternal and child health program is one of the first of its kind. The program has a strong foundation while still being innovative. It is also hybrid, which was huge for me as a mom.”

What do you like to do when you’re not in class? 

“Yoga is my favorite thing to do, and I have been practicing it for over a decade! I also love to read. I will read a good sci-fi book when I go to sleep so I can think about things other than just how crazy our world is. And of course, I love spending time with my husband and playing with our daughter. She’ll be two in October, which is a really fun age.”

What do you like about living in Minnesota?

“Even though I hate the winter, I love the natural landscape of Minnesota. Having access to water and greenery has been healing for me. And we have a great food scene! Can I say that I love a margarita? I love exploring new restaurants with my husband, especially taquerias.”