Vanessa Ayafor
Project Research Assistant
UML
Vanessa Ayafor is a Project Research Assistant with the Black Women’s First initiative. She is a member of the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP) team and assists in planning activities, taking notes, and providing all other assistance to the Project Manager when needed. Vanessa is currently an MPH student at UMass Lowell with 04 years of clinical experience as a certified Medical Doctor in Cameroon, providing HIV care to patients, Coordinating Gender-based Violence, and leading the Fight against Malaria program in mission and government health institutions. According to Vanessa, the best gift to humanity is adequate health care.
Project Research Assistant
UML
Vanessa Ayafor is a Project Research Assistant with the Black Women’s First initiative. She is a member of the Evaluation and Technical Assistance Provider (ETAP) team and assists in planning activities, taking notes, and providing all other assistance to the Project Manager when needed. Vanessa is currently an MPH student at UMass Lowell with 04 years of clinical experience as a certified Medical Doctor in Cameroon, providing HIV care to patients, Coordinating Gender-based Violence, and leading the Fight against Malaria program in mission and government health institutions. According to Vanessa, the best gift to humanity is adequate health care.
Howard Cabral
Professor of Biostatistics
Boston University School of Public Health
Howard Cabral is Professor of Biostatistics, a co-director of the Biostatistics Graduate Program, and the Director of the Biostatistics and Research Design Program of the Boston University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. He has over 30 years of teaching, consulting, collaborating, and statistical research experience in a variety of biomedical fields. These include public health, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, health services, and basic physical sciences research and practice. His students have included undergraduates, Master's and doctoral level students in biostatistics and other public health disciplines, biomedical post-doctoral and clinical fellows, and faculty seeking additional training in statistical methods. His research spans both observational studies and randomized clinical
trials, including well known studies in cardiovascular health and studies of the effects of substance use on human health across the life span. He has extensive experience in the analysis of longitudinal health data, especially those collected in urban areas with ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. His methodological interests are in the analysis of longitudinal data, the effects of missing data on statistical estimation, and statistical computing. Dr. Cabral’s collaborative research has most recently examined the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on development from birth through age 22, randomized trials of problem solving education in treating parental depression, a randomized trial testing a peer-based model in retaining those infected with HIV in primary care, models to enhance the care of homeless patients living with HIV, differences in child and maternal health in those who did and did not received intervention through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) linking vital statistics, administrative public health and clinical databases in Massachusetts, and the neurobiological changes in the brain among normally aging animals as well as those resulting from stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease among participants in the Framingham Heart Study. He is also a statistical consultant to the department of public health in Cambridge, MA. Dr. Cabral provided his research and statistical methodologic expertise to a review panel of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science that examined the effects of parental depression on parenting practices and child development and published a widely recognized book on its findings. He is also a developer of the BODE Index for patients with COPD, a nationally and internationally employed tool for risk assessment that has been cited in the literature over 1,460 times to-date.
Professor of Biostatistics
Boston University School of Public Health
Howard Cabral is Professor of Biostatistics, a co-director of the Biostatistics Graduate Program, and the Director of the Biostatistics and Research Design Program of the Boston University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute. He has over 30 years of teaching, consulting, collaborating, and statistical research experience in a variety of biomedical fields. These include public health, epidemiology, behavioral sciences, health services, and basic physical sciences research and practice. His students have included undergraduates, Master's and doctoral level students in biostatistics and other public health disciplines, biomedical post-doctoral and clinical fellows, and faculty seeking additional training in statistical methods. His research spans both observational studies and randomized clinical
trials, including well known studies in cardiovascular health and studies of the effects of substance use on human health across the life span. He has extensive experience in the analysis of longitudinal health data, especially those collected in urban areas with ethnic and socioeconomic diversity. His methodological interests are in the analysis of longitudinal data, the effects of missing data on statistical estimation, and statistical computing. Dr. Cabral’s collaborative research has most recently examined the effects of prenatal cocaine exposure on development from birth through age 22, randomized trials of problem solving education in treating parental depression, a randomized trial testing a peer-based model in retaining those infected with HIV in primary care, models to enhance the care of homeless patients living with HIV, differences in child and maternal health in those who did and did not received intervention through assisted reproductive technologies (ART) linking vital statistics, administrative public health and clinical databases in Massachusetts, and the neurobiological changes in the brain among normally aging animals as well as those resulting from stroke, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease among participants in the Framingham Heart Study. He is also a statistical consultant to the department of public health in Cambridge, MA. Dr. Cabral provided his research and statistical methodologic expertise to a review panel of the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science that examined the effects of parental depression on parenting practices and child development and published a widely recognized book on its findings. He is also a developer of the BODE Index for patients with COPD, a nationally and internationally employed tool for risk assessment that has been cited in the literature over 1,460 times to-date.
Adan Cajina
SPNS Coordinator DPD/HAB
HRSA
Adan Cajina has almost 30 years of experience in the area of evaluation, research and systems analysis in both the private and public sector. In the past 21 years, he has utilized his skills to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Cajina served as a statistician to the CDC-funded HIV Surveillance program for the Washington, DC EMA, within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. Since 1999, he has been working for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), first as a Health Statistician for the Office of Science and Epidemiology of the HIV/AIDS Bureau, and as Director of Evaluation for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Since 2006, he has been serving as Chief of the Demonstration and Evaluation Branch, the unit that administers the Part F – Special Projects of National Significance Ryan White program.
His early career in the private sector included work for major consulting companies in the area of management consulting, marketing and pharmaceutical research, and public opinion surveys. Mr. Cajina holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Management Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Analysis and Engineering from The George Washington University.
SPNS Coordinator DPD/HAB
HRSA
Adan Cajina has almost 30 years of experience in the area of evaluation, research and systems analysis in both the private and public sector. In the past 21 years, he has utilized his skills to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. From 1995 to 1999, Mr. Cajina served as a statistician to the CDC-funded HIV Surveillance program for the Washington, DC EMA, within the District of Columbia’s Department of Health. Since 1999, he has been working for the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), first as a Health Statistician for the Office of Science and Epidemiology of the HIV/AIDS Bureau, and as Director of Evaluation for the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth. Since 2006, he has been serving as Chief of the Demonstration and Evaluation Branch, the unit that administers the Part F – Special Projects of National Significance Ryan White program.
His early career in the private sector included work for major consulting companies in the area of management consulting, marketing and pharmaceutical research, and public opinion surveys. Mr. Cajina holds a Master of Science degree in Operations Research and Management Sciences, and a Bachelor of Science in Systems Analysis and Engineering from The George Washington University.
Clara Chen
Assistant Director
Boston University School of Public Health, BEDAC
Clara Chen is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Boston University School of Public Health's Data Coordinating Center. She has over 15 years of research experience, including project management, data management, and statistical analyses.
Assistant Director
Boston University School of Public Health, BEDAC
Clara Chen is the Assistant Director of Operations at the Boston University School of Public Health's Data Coordinating Center. She has over 15 years of research experience, including project management, data management, and statistical analyses.
Sarah Cook-Raymond
President & CEO
Impact Marketing + Communications
Sarah Cook-Raymond is a seasoned communications professional with extensive editorial, production management, accounts management, and marketing campaign development expertise. Her report for the White House received the “Best Custom Publication” award by The Association for Women in Communications, and her research has been featured at conferences across the country, including the National Communications Association Conference.
Sarah came to Impact in 2005 after working as a Technical Writing Specialist for the Research Foundation of New York State and as an adjunct professor of English and the humanities for
for the State University of New York. At Impact, Sarah’s primary roles are the oversight of day-to-day operations including contracting, clearances, finance, project management, and human resources, and as editor-in-chief.
Sarah’s involved with Impact's project teams, always ensuring they meet the highest quality standards while maintaining adherence to project goals and timeframes. Sarah also assists clients with concept and brand development, writing, research, targeted messaging, and public relations. She serves as a senior account executive on multiple projects, including the communications deliverables related to the $2.35 billion federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Sarah has a B.A. in English writing from St. Lawrence University, where she graduated magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and an M.A. in English and communications from the State University of New York, Potsdam where she graduated with distinction.
President & CEO
Impact Marketing + Communications
Sarah Cook-Raymond is a seasoned communications professional with extensive editorial, production management, accounts management, and marketing campaign development expertise. Her report for the White House received the “Best Custom Publication” award by The Association for Women in Communications, and her research has been featured at conferences across the country, including the National Communications Association Conference.
Sarah came to Impact in 2005 after working as a Technical Writing Specialist for the Research Foundation of New York State and as an adjunct professor of English and the humanities for
for the State University of New York. At Impact, Sarah’s primary roles are the oversight of day-to-day operations including contracting, clearances, finance, project management, and human resources, and as editor-in-chief.
Sarah’s involved with Impact's project teams, always ensuring they meet the highest quality standards while maintaining adherence to project goals and timeframes. Sarah also assists clients with concept and brand development, writing, research, targeted messaging, and public relations. She serves as a senior account executive on multiple projects, including the communications deliverables related to the $2.35 billion federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
Sarah has a B.A. in English writing from St. Lawrence University, where she graduated magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors, and an M.A. in English and communications from the State University of New York, Potsdam where she graduated with distinction.
Alicia Downes
Director of Federal Programs
AIDS United
Alicia Downes serves as the Director of Federal Programs at AIDS United. Alicia got hooked on sociology during her first semester of college despite her family hope for a Computer Science degree. She received her Master of Social Work from University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has almost 10 years of experience in mental health. Alicia began work in the HIV field almost 20 years ago, when she was hired as a Ryan White Case Manager. Three months later, she was helping her uncle find HIV services, along with educating her family about HIV. Alicia has experience managing federal grant from SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. Prior to joining the staff of AIDS United, Alicia worked as a consultant on this project the AIDS United HRSA SPNS project. She also recently served as the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center of Missouri Site and Peer Program Manager and an instructor, teaching Community Health Worker classes.
Director of Federal Programs
AIDS United
Alicia Downes serves as the Director of Federal Programs at AIDS United. Alicia got hooked on sociology during her first semester of college despite her family hope for a Computer Science degree. She received her Master of Social Work from University of Kansas (Rock Chalk Jayhawk!) and has almost 10 years of experience in mental health. Alicia began work in the HIV field almost 20 years ago, when she was hired as a Ryan White Case Manager. Three months later, she was helping her uncle find HIV services, along with educating her family about HIV. Alicia has experience managing federal grant from SAMHSA, CDC, HRSA, and private foundations. Prior to joining the staff of AIDS United, Alicia worked as a consultant on this project the AIDS United HRSA SPNS project. She also recently served as the Midwest AIDS Education and Training Center of Missouri Site and Peer Program Manager and an instructor, teaching Community Health Worker classes.
Rachel Hackett
Senior Research Assistant
WUSTL
Rachel Hackett is a Senior Research Assistant for the Best Practices User Guides and Sustainability Tool project at the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She helps develop and facilitate trainings for public health and social service programs on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also provides ongoing support for the Sustainability Tool project website and communications; and contributes to all stages of the Best Practices User Guides development, including research, writing, and editing.
Senior Research Assistant
WUSTL
Rachel Hackett is a Senior Research Assistant for the Best Practices User Guides and Sustainability Tool project at the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She helps develop and facilitate trainings for public health and social service programs on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also provides ongoing support for the Sustainability Tool project website and communications; and contributes to all stages of the Best Practices User Guides development, including research, writing, and editing.
Corliss Heath
Health Scientist
HRSA
Dr. Corliss D. Heath has nearly 25 years of professional experience in public health and HIV research. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a graduate of Emory University with a Master of Public Health degree in Biostatistics and a Master of Divinity degree, respectively. She also holds PhD in Applied Anthropology specializing in Medical Anthropology from the University of South Florida (USF) (Tampa, FL). She previously worked as a Research Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Currently, Dr. Heath is a Health Scientist in the Division of Policy and Data (DPD) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/HIV/AIDS Bureau in Rockville, MD. There she leads and coordinates various projects, while providing guidance, evaluation, implementation, and training to assure the provision of high quality HIV intervention, care and treatment services.
Health Scientist
HRSA
Dr. Corliss D. Heath has nearly 25 years of professional experience in public health and HIV research. She is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Mathematics and a graduate of Emory University with a Master of Public Health degree in Biostatistics and a Master of Divinity degree, respectively. She also holds PhD in Applied Anthropology specializing in Medical Anthropology from the University of South Florida (USF) (Tampa, FL). She previously worked as a Research Analyst at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Currently, Dr. Heath is a Health Scientist in the Division of Policy and Data (DPD) at the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)/HIV/AIDS Bureau in Rockville, MD. There she leads and coordinates various projects, while providing guidance, evaluation, implementation, and training to assure the provision of high quality HIV intervention, care and treatment services.
Esther Jennings
Senior Research Manager
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Esther Jennings is Senior Research Manager for the Center for Population Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She received her Master of Public Health from Tufts University with a concentration in nutrition. She is experienced in public health, minority health and nutritional epidemiology research, with diverse populations and age groups.
Senior Research Manager
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Esther Jennings is Senior Research Manager for the Center for Population Health at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. She received her Master of Public Health from Tufts University with a concentration in nutrition. She is experienced in public health, minority health and nutritional epidemiology research, with diverse populations and age groups.
Jamal Jones
Data Manager
Positive Impact Health Centers
Jamal Jones Bio
They/He Pronouns
BA in Health Sciences and Healthcare in Society
Memphis, TN native
Currently lives in Atlanta, Ga
CRIBB Fellowship Naesm Inc- Vice President
Positive Impact Health Centers- Data Manager Client Services/ HRSA Grant
Aspiring Urban Public Health Professional
Data Manager
Positive Impact Health Centers
Jamal Jones Bio
They/He Pronouns
BA in Health Sciences and Healthcare in Society
Memphis, TN native
Currently lives in Atlanta, Ga
CRIBB Fellowship Naesm Inc- Vice President
Positive Impact Health Centers- Data Manager Client Services/ HRSA Grant
Aspiring Urban Public Health Professional
Tracy Matthews
Deputy Director
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
CAPT Tracy Matthews is the Acting Director for the Division of Policy and Data in the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau. For the last 8 years, she has served as the Deputy Director, responsible for leading the HIV/AIDS Bureau and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) data collection and analysis, policy guidance, implementation science, data dissemination, clinical performance activities, and technical assistance and training. She joined HRSA in 2002 as a RWHAP Parts C and D project officer. She has her BSN from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Health Administration.
Deputy Director
Health Resources and Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau
CAPT Tracy Matthews is the Acting Director for the Division of Policy and Data in the HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau. For the last 8 years, she has served as the Deputy Director, responsible for leading the HIV/AIDS Bureau and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) data collection and analysis, policy guidance, implementation science, data dissemination, clinical performance activities, and technical assistance and training. She joined HRSA in 2002 as a RWHAP Parts C and D project officer. She has her BSN from the University of Mississippi and a Master’s in Health Administration.
Masill Miranda
PROGRAM MANAGER
AIDS UNITED
Masill Miranda is a Massachusetts native, raised in Worcester but has lived in Boston for over a decade. She is a first-generation graduate, and a daughter of immigrants. Masill acquired a master’s in social work from Boston University. She joined AIDS United in 2021 as the program manager for special projects of national significance. She brings a wealth of knowledge in public health and capacity building. Before her role at AIDS United, she worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as the planning council program coordinator, under the Ryan White Part A grant. Her passion for addressing health inequities and uplifting the voices of people living with HIV began there. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, she’s enjoying life as a new plant mom.
PROGRAM MANAGER
AIDS UNITED
Masill Miranda is a Massachusetts native, raised in Worcester but has lived in Boston for over a decade. She is a first-generation graduate, and a daughter of immigrants. Masill acquired a master’s in social work from Boston University. She joined AIDS United in 2021 as the program manager for special projects of national significance. She brings a wealth of knowledge in public health and capacity building. Before her role at AIDS United, she worked at the Boston Public Health Commission as the planning council program coordinator, under the Ryan White Part A grant. Her passion for addressing health inequities and uplifting the voices of people living with HIV began there. Outside of work, she loves to travel and spend time with family and friends. Furthermore, she’s enjoying life as a new plant mom.
Bria Mirante
Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist
Impact Marketing + Communications
Bria Mirante is a public health professional with over six years of experience managing, developing, and implementing communications, digital marketing, and public health education activities to advance agency mission goals, increase awareness of their programs and priorities, and increase visibility across key stakeholder audiences. As Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist at Impact Marketing + Communications, Mirante develops strategy and dissemination work for a range of health communication projects.
Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist
Impact Marketing + Communications
Bria Mirante is a public health professional with over six years of experience managing, developing, and implementing communications, digital marketing, and public health education activities to advance agency mission goals, increase awareness of their programs and priorities, and increase visibility across key stakeholder audiences. As Senior Health Communication and Digital Marketing Specialist at Impact Marketing + Communications, Mirante develops strategy and dissemination work for a range of health communication projects.
Chau Nguyen
Public Health Analyst
HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau SPNS
Chau Nguyen is a Project Officer in HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program. She has been with HRSA/HAB since 2012 and has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS for over 15 years, including with NIH, CDC, DoD and PEPFAR. Chau has led the development, implementation and evaluation of numerous SPNS Initiatives, and is a Project Officer for grant recipients currently funded under the SPNS Housing & Employment, Black Men who have Sex with Men (BMSM), Opioid, Rapid ART Start, and now Black Women initiatives. In her ‘free’ time, she also helps to manage a full household of 3 kids, 2 cats and a dog (who you may see bomb zoom calls from time to time J).
Public Health Analyst
HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau SPNS
Chau Nguyen is a Project Officer in HRSA’s HIV/AIDS Bureau’s Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program. She has been with HRSA/HAB since 2012 and has worked in the field of HIV/AIDS for over 15 years, including with NIH, CDC, DoD and PEPFAR. Chau has led the development, implementation and evaluation of numerous SPNS Initiatives, and is a Project Officer for grant recipients currently funded under the SPNS Housing & Employment, Black Men who have Sex with Men (BMSM), Opioid, Rapid ART Start, and now Black Women initiatives. In her ‘free’ time, she also helps to manage a full household of 3 kids, 2 cats and a dog (who you may see bomb zoom calls from time to time J).
Kim Prewitt
Research Manager
Washington University in St. Louis
IV. Kim Prewitt manages the Sustainability projects for the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She facilitates workshops and webinars for public health, clinical care, and social service programs throughout the United States on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also works with groups to administer the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT), collects and analyzes data related to sustainability planning and assessment, and provides technical assistance and training for sustaintool.org.
Research Manager
Washington University in St. Louis
IV. Kim Prewitt manages the Sustainability projects for the Center for Public Health Systems Science at Washington University in St. Louis. She facilitates workshops and webinars for public health, clinical care, and social service programs throughout the United States on how to assess and plan for sustainability. She also works with groups to administer the Program Sustainability Assessment Tool (PSAT) and the Clinical Sustainability Assessment Tool (CSAT), collects and analyzes data related to sustainability planning and assessment, and provides technical assistance and training for sustaintool.org.
Serena Rajabiun
Assistant Professor
UML
Serena Rajabiun is the Principal Investigator for the Black Women’s First Evaluation and Technical Center Provider HRSA SPNS project. She has over twenty years of international and domestic public health experience. She has over a decade of leadership experience on multisite projects funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau. She is currently the Co-Principal Investigator for the HRSA/SPNS Improving Health Outcomes through Coordinated Housing & Employment Services and the Dissemination of Evidence-Informed Intervention Dissemination and Evaluation Center, and a Co-Principal Investigator on Improving Access to Care: Using CHWs to Improve Linkage and Retention in HIV Care, She has over 15 years experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative
studies as part of seven multi-site evaluations and providing evaluation and programmatic technical assistance to HRSA Ryan White demonstration grantees, She has organized several multisite meetings with grantees, and coordinated and collaborated with over 20 grantees on publishing and disseminating the results form multisite initiatives in peer-reviewed journals and at national conferences. Ms. Rajabiun has authored several peer reviewed articles and developed field manuals on engaging and retaining PLWH in care and treatment.
Assistant Professor
UML
Serena Rajabiun is the Principal Investigator for the Black Women’s First Evaluation and Technical Center Provider HRSA SPNS project. She has over twenty years of international and domestic public health experience. She has over a decade of leadership experience on multisite projects funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau. She is currently the Co-Principal Investigator for the HRSA/SPNS Improving Health Outcomes through Coordinated Housing & Employment Services and the Dissemination of Evidence-Informed Intervention Dissemination and Evaluation Center, and a Co-Principal Investigator on Improving Access to Care: Using CHWs to Improve Linkage and Retention in HIV Care, She has over 15 years experience designing and leading qualitative and quantitative
studies as part of seven multi-site evaluations and providing evaluation and programmatic technical assistance to HRSA Ryan White demonstration grantees, She has organized several multisite meetings with grantees, and coordinated and collaborated with over 20 grantees on publishing and disseminating the results form multisite initiatives in peer-reviewed journals and at national conferences. Ms. Rajabiun has authored several peer reviewed articles and developed field manuals on engaging and retaining PLWH in care and treatment.
Venita Ray
Co-ED
Positive Women's Network - USA
Venita Ray is the deputy director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA, a national membership organization for women living with HIV. Venita served as the public policy manager for Legacy Community Health, a federally qualified health center in Houston, TX, where she monitored HIV related health policy and managed an advocacy training program for people living with HIV. In 2016, Venita led a citywide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Houston and drafted the Roadmap to Ending the HIV Epidemic in Houston. Venita has led anti criminalization efforts in Texas defeating an effort to allow HIV test results to be subpoenaed in criminal prosecutions and defeated attempts to introduce new HIV criminalization legislation. Venita was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and is deeply committed to equity, racial justice and developing the leadership and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all decisions that impact the HIV community.
Co-ED
Positive Women's Network - USA
Venita Ray is the deputy director of the Positive Women’s Network-USA, a national membership organization for women living with HIV. Venita served as the public policy manager for Legacy Community Health, a federally qualified health center in Houston, TX, where she monitored HIV related health policy and managed an advocacy training program for people living with HIV. In 2016, Venita led a citywide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Houston and drafted the Roadmap to Ending the HIV Epidemic in Houston. Venita has led anti criminalization efforts in Texas defeating an effort to allow HIV test results to be subpoenaed in criminal prosecutions and defeated attempts to introduce new HIV criminalization legislation. Venita was diagnosed with HIV in 2003 and is deeply committed to equity, racial justice and developing the leadership and meaningful involvement of people living with HIV in all decisions that impact the HIV community.
Melanie Rocco
Project Director
Boston University Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health
Melanie Rocco, MSW, MPH (she/her) is a queer white woman and public health social worker. She is a research consultant for the Boston University School of Social Work and a member of the ETAP team of the Black Women First Initiative, working primarily on qualitative data coding, analysis, and contributing to data informed dissemination products. She has over five years of experience in organizing, educating, and advocating for human rights relating to sexuality, sexual health, and gender.
Project Director
Boston University Center for Innovation in Social Work & Health
Melanie Rocco, MSW, MPH (she/her) is a queer white woman and public health social worker. She is a research consultant for the Boston University School of Social Work and a member of the ETAP team of the Black Women First Initiative, working primarily on qualitative data coding, analysis, and contributing to data informed dissemination products. She has over five years of experience in organizing, educating, and advocating for human rights relating to sexuality, sexual health, and gender.
Judith Scott
Assistant Professor
Boston University
Judith Scott, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work and a co-investigator for the Black Women First Initiative. Her current research agenda focuses on how trauma—especially physical child maltreatment and racism—affects parenting and mental health among families across cultures. She is especially interested in understanding how protective processes such as ethnic-racial socialization and coping can buffer families against deleterious effects on mental health. Her secondary research interests are evaluating small and medium non-profit community organizations serving families.
Assistant Professor
Boston University
Judith Scott, PhD is an Assistant Professor at Boston University School of Social Work and a co-investigator for the Black Women First Initiative. Her current research agenda focuses on how trauma—especially physical child maltreatment and racism—affects parenting and mental health among families across cultures. She is especially interested in understanding how protective processes such as ethnic-racial socialization and coping can buffer families against deleterious effects on mental health. Her secondary research interests are evaluating small and medium non-profit community organizations serving families.
Denese Shervington
CEO
Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies
Dr. Denese Shervington is a board certified psychiatrist recognized nationally and globally as a trauma specialist. She is the founder and director of the mental health division of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (IWES), a community-based translational public health institute she founded in New Orleans. She is the author the Book, Healing Is the Revolution, a guide to healing from racial trauma. She also hosts the podcast Healing Is the Revolution.
CEO
Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies
Dr. Denese Shervington is a board certified psychiatrist recognized nationally and globally as a trauma specialist. She is the founder and director of the mental health division of the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (IWES), a community-based translational public health institute she founded in New Orleans. She is the author the Book, Healing Is the Revolution, a guide to healing from racial trauma. She also hosts the podcast Healing Is the Revolution.
Linda Sprague Martinez
Associate Professor
Boston University School of Social Work
Linda Sprague Martinez is the Co-Principal Investigator is an Associate Professor and Department Chair for Macro Practice at the Boston University School of Social Work. She holds faculty affiliations with the Center of Innovation in Social Work and Health as well as the Center for Health Systems Improvement and Policy. Having worked for a State Office of Minority Health and in municipal government and as a mental health provider she has a keen sense of the barriers communities of color face in accessing services. Beyond having a decade of practice experience, she has over decade of research experience having led a number of participatory pro-jects funded by NIH as well as by nation and local foundations.
Associate Professor
Boston University School of Social Work
Linda Sprague Martinez is the Co-Principal Investigator is an Associate Professor and Department Chair for Macro Practice at the Boston University School of Social Work. She holds faculty affiliations with the Center of Innovation in Social Work and Health as well as the Center for Health Systems Improvement and Policy. Having worked for a State Office of Minority Health and in municipal government and as a mental health provider she has a keen sense of the barriers communities of color face in accessing services. Beyond having a decade of practice experience, she has over decade of research experience having led a number of participatory pro-jects funded by NIH as well as by nation and local foundations.
Cynthia Tucker
SVP of Community Partnerships and Special Projects
AIDS Foundation Chicago
Vice President of Prevention and Community Partnerships
Cynthia has worked in the HIV/AIDS service sector for more than 20 years. Cynthia has led many innovative HIV prevention programs at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) that are changing the story of this disease from one of despair to one of hope.
Her work aims to support community and organizational engagement in capacity building, health interventions and to identify culturally responsive approaches in program planning and evaluation. Cynthia is an expert in curriculum development, capacity-building, program planning, training, and assessment.
SVP of Community Partnerships and Special Projects
AIDS Foundation Chicago
Vice President of Prevention and Community Partnerships
Cynthia has worked in the HIV/AIDS service sector for more than 20 years. Cynthia has led many innovative HIV prevention programs at the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) that are changing the story of this disease from one of despair to one of hope.
Her work aims to support community and organizational engagement in capacity building, health interventions and to identify culturally responsive approaches in program planning and evaluation. Cynthia is an expert in curriculum development, capacity-building, program planning, training, and assessment.
Angela Walter
Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Dr. Angela Wangari Walter is a health services researcher and an implementation scientist whose work focuses on: 1) the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use disorders and co-occurring diagnoses; and 2) addressing racial and ethnic inequities in the access to and quality of health care. She has conducted federally (NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, AHRQ), state and foundation funded research using qualitative and quantitative methods. Dr. Walter’s research on alcohol and other drug use disorders (AUDs) has examined the association between alcohol use and HIV transmission among women;
and the effects of culturally relevant and integrated care for adults with co-occurring AUDs and mental illness. Dr. Walter has also conducted research on access to and quality of care for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and other socially/economically disadvantaged populations. Her research has contributed to knowledge about the utilization of mental health services among children and barriers faced by parents/caregivers in accessing care for children. Other research has examined disparities in access to care and health services utilization patterns among children with medical complexity.
Dr. Walter has research and practice experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating systems of care for diverse populations. She is currently conducting AHRQ and HRSA funded research to improve health outcomes for Black and African American women receiving care in community-based settings. Dr. Walter is actively engaged in community efforts addressing racial and social injustices serving as an advocate, educator, volunteer, board and advisory member.
Associate Professor
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Dr. Angela Wangari Walter is a health services researcher and an implementation scientist whose work focuses on: 1) the prevention and treatment of alcohol, tobacco, and other drug (ATOD) use disorders and co-occurring diagnoses; and 2) addressing racial and ethnic inequities in the access to and quality of health care. She has conducted federally (NIH, SAMHSA, HRSA, AHRQ), state and foundation funded research using qualitative and quantitative methods. Dr. Walter’s research on alcohol and other drug use disorders (AUDs) has examined the association between alcohol use and HIV transmission among women;
and the effects of culturally relevant and integrated care for adults with co-occurring AUDs and mental illness. Dr. Walter has also conducted research on access to and quality of care for underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, and other socially/economically disadvantaged populations. Her research has contributed to knowledge about the utilization of mental health services among children and barriers faced by parents/caregivers in accessing care for children. Other research has examined disparities in access to care and health services utilization patterns among children with medical complexity.
Dr. Walter has research and practice experience in developing, implementing, and evaluating systems of care for diverse populations. She is currently conducting AHRQ and HRSA funded research to improve health outcomes for Black and African American women receiving care in community-based settings. Dr. Walter is actively engaged in community efforts addressing racial and social injustices serving as an advocate, educator, volunteer, board and advisory member.