How long have you been a member of the Black Health Network, and what drew you to CBHN?

I became a member of the California Black Health Network last year. I was drawn to CBHN because it brings together Black leaders across disciplines who are committed to advancing health equity not just in theory, but in practice. CBHN’s focus on policy, systems change, and community‑rooted solutions aligned deeply with my own work and values—particularly the urgency of improving health outcomes for Black Californians amid shifting political, regulatory, and funding landscapes.

What is your current profession?

I am a surgeon‑scientist and health equity leader, currently serving as Vice President and Chief Health Access and Community Enrichment Officer at a comprehensive cancer center. My work sits at the intersection of clinical care, research, community engagement, and health systems transformation.

From your perspective, what barriers exist in achieving health equity for Black Californians?

The barriers are layered and systemic. They include structural racism embedded in healthcare delivery and financing, lack of access to preventive and specialty care, underinvestment in community‑based organizations, and policies that fail to account for the lived realities of Black Californians. In healthcare specifically, fragmentation of care, workforce shortages, and limited access points—particularly outside of primary care—continue to perpetuate inequities across the cancer continuum and beyond.

Both in your work and with CBHN, how have you been able to prioritize the health of Black Californians?

In my work, I focus on redesigning access—meeting people where they are through community partnerships, expanding prevention and screening initiatives, and using data to identify and close inequity gaps. Through CBHN, I’m able to connect this institutional work to a broader statewide movement—learning from peers, contributing to shared strategies, and advocating for policies that center Black communities rather than treating equity as an afterthought.

What inspires you to keep doing the work you do?

What inspires me is the possibility of transformation—knowing that systems are designed by people, and therefore can be redesigned with intention. I’m inspired by the patients, families, and communities who continue to navigate inequitable systems with resilience, and by colleagues who are willing to push beyond incremental change to pursue real, lasting impact.

What’s the bravest thing you’ve ever done?

The bravest thing I’ve done is speak up—consistently and honestly—in rooms where inequities are uncomfortable to name. That includes challenging assumptions, naming structural barriers, and holding systems accountable, even when it would have been easier to stay silent. I’ve learned that progress rarely comes from comfort, and that courageous conversations are often the catalyst for meaningful change.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The best advice I’ve received is to stay grounded in purpose, not position. Titles change, strategies evolve, and systems resist—but when your work is rooted in clarity of purpose and service, it becomes easier to navigate complexity and stay committed to the long game of equity.