Teaching, Learning & Leading: Why Representation Matters in Public Health

At BWHI, we know education isn’t just about the classroom—it’s a catalyst for change. It shapes minds, builds power, and opens pathways to equity. This month, as we honor graduates across the country and uplift our commitment to educational equity, we asked three members of our team to share what it means to teach, to learn, and to lead in public health.

Each of them brings a unique perspective, but they share a core belief: when Black women are present in public health—as students, professors, advocates, and experts—the entire system becomes more just, more effective, and more human.

Candace Bond-Theriault, Esq., LL.M.
Senior Policy Director, BWHI & Adjunct Professor, Howard University
As a law school graduate (shout out to North Carolina Central University), I know firsthand the importance of receiving an education rooted in community and justice. Now, as a professor, I have the privilege of educating the next generation of thinkers about reproductive justice, health, and activism.

At the Black Women’s Health Imperative, you are our “why.” We tirelessly advocate for policy change at every level so that Black women and girls live in a world where our health is seen as imperative—not an afterthought.

Graduates, you are going to set this world ablaze with your greatness. And I’m so thankful that our work at BWHI moves in lockstep with your bright and limitless futures.

Zsanai Epps, MPH, DrPH
Senior Director, Reproductive Justice Initiatives & Adjunct Faculty, Morgan State University
As a professor and public health practitioner, my role has deeply shaped how I see education’s impact on real-world change. In the classroom, I provide students with a strong foundation in public health. Outside of it, I advocate for the policies and systems that affect those same communities.

One of the most rewarding parts of this work is witnessing how students bring their lived experiences to the field—adding insight, urgency, and innovation to everything we teach. I bring real-time policy advocacy into my courses so students can connect theory with action. Whether we’re covering social determinants of health or community-based interventions, the goal is always to show how knowledge translates into impact.

Education must be matched with investment. Underfunded institutions need federal support—not just to survive, but to thrive. That means more resources for research, expanded academic programs, and the tools to prepare the next generation of health equity leaders.

Ifeoma C. Udoh, PhD
Executive VP, Policy, Advocacy, and Science & Former Adjunct Professor, University of California, Berkeley
As a professor and public health leader, I see firsthand how critical it is for Black women to enter and shape this field. Representation isn’t just about having a seat at the table—it’s about shifting the conversation. Black women bring lived experience, cultural intelligence, and a level of community connection that transforms public health systems.

When we are in the room, the research questions change. The data is interpreted differently. The solutions become more grounded in reality and equity. We are not just the subjects of health data—we are the strategists, scientists, and decision-makers who should be driving the field forward.

If we want a healthier, more just future, we must invest in Black women’s leadership in public health—and that starts with education.

🎓 Final Note:
BWHI is committed to building the pipeline of future leaders in health and social justice through programs like My Sister’s Keeper, which supports and empowers college students across the country.

Learn more and join the movement: bwhi.org/msk