From Data to Action: Tapping Into the Next Generation at Spelman

There is something special about stepping into a space where future leaders are already in motion. Even virtually, you can feel it.

I recently had the opportunity to guest lecture for an Introduction to Epidemiology class at Spelman College, where I walked students through my public health journey and what it truly looks like to move from data to action. Not just theory. Not just frameworks. But the real, lived experience of navigating this field and doing work that actually reaches communities.

We talked about the gaps too. The parts of public health that don’t always make it into the syllabus. The pivots, the uncertainties, and the moments where your path shifts in ways you didn’t plan for but ultimately needed.

I’m grateful to Dr. Niketta A. Womack for the invitation and for the intentional way she creates space for her students to engage, question, and think beyond the textbook. That kind of environment matters.

What stood out most was the level of curiosity in the room. The questions were thoughtful, the energy was present, and the desire to make an impact was clear.

And the conversation isn’t over.

I’ll be returning next week to talk about Pivots in Public Health, because if there is one thing I know for sure, it is that this journey will challenge you to adapt, grow, and redefine your path more than once.

To the Spelman students stepping into this work, the future is already in good hands.