About

Health doesn’t have to feel like a fight

Our mission is to advance health equity in Black communities through antiracist education, advocacy, research, and programs.

What We Do

Building Infrastructure for Health equity

Health solutions shaped by community and culture:

  • A young woman with braids and a white t-shirt smiling and holding a plate of food, surrounded by other people at an outdoor event.

    Community Health Events

    We host vibrant events that mix culture, community, and care to connect Black communities with health information and resources.

  • A person with a tattooed arm gesturing during a discussion, with notebooks, a smartphone, a coffee cup, and sticky notes on a gray table.

    Workshops & Trainings

    We design and facilitate educational experiences that equip communities, students, and professionals to challenge inequities and drive health system change.

  • A woman with dreadlocks speaking into a RODE microphone during a recording session.

    Digital Health Education

    From podcasts to social media, we create relatable health content that sparks conversation, inspires change, and drives equity forward.

  • Person working on a silver laptop with a black keyboard, with a notebook, pen, and black card on a white desk.

    Research & Technical Assistance

    We advise partners on building interventions that are culturally reflective, accessible, and grounded in antiracism practices.

How We Work

We believe the health of Black communities cannot be improved without addressing the root systems that shape it. Our work centers three strategic pillars:

Narrative Power

We shift the narrative on health by focusing on the structural forces the cause inequities, rejecting deficit-based views, and honoring the diversity of Black communities.

Capacity Building

We equip students, professionals, and communities with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to address racism’s impact on health.

Collective Action

Through organizing and cultivating trust, communication, and shared resources, we empower communities to mobilize for equitable health systems change.

Group of women at an outdoor booth, engaging in conversation and handing out flyers.

Our founders

Four graduates of Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health came together to confront racism in health and reimagine equity for Black communities.

  • Smiling woman standing in front of a wooden bookshelf with books and a pillow that reads 'Black Wealth Matters'.

    Khadijah Ameen, PhD, MPH

    Co-Founder and Director of Policy and Research

    Khadijah Ameen (she/her) is a public health scholar whose work focuses on the impact of racism on health and community-driven approaches to health justice. She has built her career in healthcare delivery and payer settings, partnering with clinicians and administrators to improve access, quality, and outcomes for marginalized populations. She enjoys vegan cooking, podcasts, and time with her cats, Pinot and Noir.

  • Smiling man with glasses and beard wearing a black shirt, sitting in front of a wooden shelf with books, a framed poster, and decor.

    Matthew McCurdy, MPH

    Co-Founder and Executive Director

    Matthew McCurdy (he/him) applies social science, health equity frameworks, and design to create solutions that improve health outcomes for Black and marginalized communities. He previously served as a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and holds a BA in Political Science from Georgia State University and an MPH from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.

  • A woman with long red braids smiling and standing in front of wooden shelves with books, a model airplane, and a tote bag that says 'Black Health Matters'.

    Mercilla Ryan-Harris, MPH

    Co-Founder and Director of Operations

    Mercilla Ryan-Harris (she/her) is a proud Atlanta native committed to improving the health of Black communities through culturally humble public health programming. She is passionate about building connections, leading community outreach, and brings expertise in program management and operations to creating programs that address racial health disparities.

  • A woman with black curly hair standing in front of wooden bookshelf filled with books, a globe, a vintage airplane model, and decorative items, wearing a light purple blouse and smiling.

    Paulah Wheeler, MPH

    Co-Founder and Director of Creative and Communications

    Paulah Wheeler (she/her) is a global public health practitioner and creative strategist passionate about advancing the health of Black people at home and abroad. A Detroit native, she has led programs across Africa and Asia focused on public health leadership, including training healthcare workers in Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, and Bangladesh and managing a national HIV program in South Africa.

A diverse group of ten people in a library or office space, posing for a group photo. The background features bookshelves with books and decorative items, including a sign that reads 'GEORGIA' upside down.

Working together to make care more just, more inclusive, and more possible

Our Board

Meet the leaders supporting our work with insight, accountability, and a deep commitment to health justice.

  • A smiling man with glasses, a beard, and a black shirt sitting indoors, with blurred background showing a wooden shelf, books, a globe, and a bag with text on it.

    Matthew McCurdy, MPH (Chair)

    Co-Founder and Executive Director, BLKHLTH

    Matthew applies social science, health equity frameworks, and design to create solutions that improve health outcomes for Black and marginalized communities. He previously served as a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and holds a BA in Political Science from Georgia State University and an MPH from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health.

  • Portrait of a smiling Black woman with short hair, wearing clear glasses, gold earrings, a yellow top, and many colorful beaded necklaces.

    Natasha A. Harrison (Vice Chair)

    Founder, President and CEO, CommunityBuild Ventures, LLC

    Natasha is a facilitator, racial equity practitioner, strategist, and philanthropist dedicated to dismantling structural and institutional racism. She is the founder of CommunityBuild Ventures, a pro-Black, solutions-focused firm that develops racial equity-centered leaders and organizations.

  • A smiling woman with long red braids wearing a sleeveless gray top standing indoors in front of wooden shelves with books and decorative items, including a tote bag with the words 'Black Health Matters' on it.

    Mercilla Ryan-Harris, MPH (Secretary)

    Co-Founder and Director of Operations, BLKHLTH

    Mercilla is a proud Atlanta native committed to improving the health of Black communities through culturally humble public health programming. She is passionate about building connections, leading community outreach, and brings expertise in program management and operations to creating programs that address racial health disparities.

  • A smiling man wearing glasses and a brown quarter-zip sweater standing in front of a wooden bookshelf with decorative items and a beige pillow that says 'BLACK HEALTH MATTERS'.

    Marcus Alford (Treasurer)

    Financial Advisor and Growth & Development Director, Northwestern Mutual

    Marcus is a licensed financial advisor and Morehouse College graduate who empowers people to make strong financial decisions that balance living well and saving for the future. Based in Athens, GA, he enjoys sports, the beach, local dining, and quality time with his wife Camaryn and their two children, MJ and Kennedy.

  • A smiling woman with curly hair and tattoos, wearing a black top and tan pants, standing in front of a wooden shelf with books, a shopping bag with the words 'Black Wealth Matters', and decorative items.

    Khadijah Ameen, PhD, MPH

    Co-Founder and Director of Policy and Research, BLKHLTH

    Khadijah is a public health scholar whose work focuses on the impact of racism on health and community-driven approaches to health justice. She has built her career in healthcare delivery and payer settings, partnering with clinicians and administrators to improve access, quality, and outcomes for marginalized populations. She enjoys vegan cooking, podcasts, and time with her cats, Pinot and Noir.

  • A young man with short hair and a goatee sitting indoors, wearing a black sweatshirt that says 'HAMPTON' with a graphic design.

    Namon Freeman

    Manager, Sustainability – Housing Affordability, Bloomberg Associates

    Namon has dedicated his career to advancing equitable and sustainable urban development across North America, Latin America, and Africa. At Bloomberg Associates, he leads client engagements on housing affordability, working at the intersection of urban planning, sustainability, and economic development.

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    Nate Jester

    Senior Associate, Alston & Bird

    Nate, a Southwest Atlanta native and former Marine Corps officer, is a Senior Associate at Alston & Bird specializing in commercial real estate law. A committed community leader, he serves on multiple boards and committees in Atlanta and is a proud member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.

  • Ashani Johnson-Turbes, PhD

    Ashani Johnson-Turbes, PhD

    Vice President, NORC at the University of Chicago

    Ashani is Vice President of NORC at the University of Chicago, President of the Society for Health Communication, and Adjunct Faculty at Emory University. An award-winning social scientist with over 20 years of experience, she specializes in public health, communication, and policy research that advances equity.

  • A woman with dreadlocks, red lipstick, and earrings smiling at the camera against a gray textured background.

    Tayla Mahmud

    EVP, Health Equity & Multicultural Strategy, M Booth Health

    Tayla helps brands and businesses define their commitment to equity, engage diverse communities, and shape communications to address health disparities. With two decades of experience in health marketing and communications, she is also a writer and speaker whose work has been featured in outlets including Fortune, TheGrio, and PR Week.

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    Charles Williams

    Director, Health Communications, Tanaq Support Services

    Charles brings 25 years of experience in public health, health communication, project management, and business development. He specializes in developing campaigns that apply behavior change frameworks and best practices to address health disparities and advance equity for at-risk communities.

  • A Black woman with curly hair standing in front of a wooden bookshelf filled with books and decorative items, smiling at the camera.

    Paulah Wheeler, MPH

    Co-Founder and Director of Creative and Communications, BLKHLTH

    Paulah is a global public health practitioner and creative strategist passionate about advancing the health of Black people at home and abroad. A Detroit native, she has led programs across Africa and Asia focused on public health leadership, including training healthcare workers in Kenya, Nigeria, Cambodia, and Bangladesh and managing a national HIV program in South Africa.

Contact

Help us create a future where health equity is real for black communities.

Partner with BLKHLTH and be a part of a movement that turns conversations about racism and health into systemic change.

Our Partners

Trusted collaborators who share our commitment to advancing health equity and supporting Black communities through meaningful, culturally responsive work.