Akilah is a public health professional with extensive experience in practical and research-based work with persons living with HIV, both domestically and abroad. Particularly interested in the way HIV/AIDS affects marginalized populations, she has dedicated her career to the advancement of those communities. Akilah early on, developed a passion for understanding cultural differences in the context of health care. She has close to a decade of experience working with marginalized populations of color.
With a bachelors in Anthropology and a Masters of Public Health degree, Akilah has robust knowledge in understating and implementing evidence-based programming. Akilah currently serves as the Interim Vice President of Community Research and Advocacy where she oversees the newly formed Community Research and Innovations Department. This department manages the organizations community-based research endeavors, statewide HIV/STD hotline and mobilization project Status Sexy.
While acknowledging how far health care has come, she also understands how far it has to go. She believes there is no rigid formula for delivering health care; rather, each situation must be examined through an individualized holistic lens and considered in the context of our many diverse differences. Akilah looks forward to continuing to utilize her knowledge to implement community-lead best practices to improve the quality of care for people living with HIV and affected by HIV.