Researcher
I’m a senior researcher at the American Institutes for Research with a focus on health equity, social determinants of health, and holistic approaches to improving outcomes in under-resourced communities.
I study how factors like income, food security, housing, and employment—far more than medical care—shape health and wellbeing. I’m passionate about addressing these “root causes” of health inequities through research that uplifts communities.
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My approach centers community-engaged research, asset-based frameworks, and mixed methods strategies.
Communities already hold the wisdom they need—research should be a bridge that helps turn that wisdom into lasting change.
Research Areas
Health Equity & Social Determinants of Health
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The environments where families live, work, and raise children—including access to quality education, stable housing, nutritious food, and safe neighborhoods—shape health outcomes far more than medical care alone.
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As both a researcher and coach, I understand how these systemic factors uniquely impact Black families and highly sensitive Mamas, creating both challenges and opportunities for building resilience and wellness within existing structures.
Structural Inequality
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Real family wellness requires addressing the systems that shape our daily experiences.
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My research focuses on how structural barriers affect Black Mamas and families, while my coaching approach centers on identifying strengths, building on existing assets, and creating sustainable change within these realities.
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I work with families to develop strategies that honor their sensitivity while navigating systems that weren't designed with them in mind.
Community Engaged Methods
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Authentic understanding comes from listening deeply to families' lived experiences.
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Through ethnographic work, community conversations, and in-depth storytelling, I gather insights that inform both research and practice.
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This same commitment to deep listening shapes my coaching approach—creating space for Black Mamas to share their truths, explore their sensitivity as a strength in parenting, and develop personalized wellness strategies rooted in their own wisdom and community assets.