I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Global and Community Health at George Mason University’s College of Public Health. Trained as a social science researcher and organizational communication strategist, I bring over 15 years of experience advancing health equity, gender justice, and human rights in the U.S. and the Global South, particularly southern Africa. My research focuses on reducing disparities in sexual, reproductive, maternal, and mental health among Black, immigrant, and historically marginalized communities. Grounded in intersectionality and health equity frameworks, I examine the structural and communicative drivers of adverse outcomes such as HIV/AIDS, sexual trauma, and stigma.
I partner with Black youth, immigrant families, and faith-based leaders to co-develop culturally responsive, evidence-informed interventions. I am a Health Equity Scholar for Action, supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and a Research Affiliate of the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being
Rooted in my lived experience as a mother of three and first-generation American of Jamaican heritage, my work centers the knowledge, needs, and voices of communities often overlooked in public health. My interdisciplinary training bridges global health, social justice, and strategic communication.
Renia is a PhD student in Public Health at George Mason University. My research interests include mental health, trauma, sexual violence, and health education, with a focus on improving outcomes in resource-limited settings. I hold a B.S. in Psychology and an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership.
Renia’s research experience includes both academic and clinical settings, including roles at Bridgewater State University, Boston Children’s Hospital, and Cambridge Health Alliance. She grew up in Boston and enjoys hiking in my free time.
Daliah Ouedraogo, is a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication, Culture, and Media Studies (CCMS) at Howard University. Her research explores the intersections of communication, health, and social justice, with a focus on how health functions as a communicative practice. Daliah’s doctoral work aims to advance equity by examining the cultural and discursive dimensions of health. Daliah has played a vital role in developing the HHC Podcast as Executive Producer. She is a visionary in digital storytelling and a skilled braider (if you can book her!)
