Who We Are
OUR VISION
We envision a world where black women, girls, gender expansive people and under-represented communities, clinicians, providers and allies at all stages of the life course have the access, resources and safe space to make the best informed and autonomous decisions for themselves.
We radically reimagine community health where barriers in power dynamics and economic limitations are deconstructed.
OUR MISSION
To create healthy informed communities by curating spaces to educate and promote autonomy in wellness and wholeness.
Meet The Team
Brittany Taylor-Williams MPA, MHA
Founder, The Black Girl Health Collective
Pronouns: She/Her
Brittany is the founder and CEO of The Black Girl Health Collective and Black Girl Health Con. As a seasoned public health administrator with a honed lens for equity within care, she brings over 15 years' experience within leadership roles in the federal public health and non-profit healthcare sectors supporting organizations as an operations and content expert.
Throughout her career, Brittany has served as an investigator, senior level leader, full spectrum doula, facilitator and avid patient advocate, working with health systems, administrators, and on the front lines, with patients.
Prior to the Black Girl Health Collective, Brittany worked with Planned Parenthood of Southern New England as the Regional Director of Clinical Services supporting Connecticut’s Fairfield and New Haven Counties by increasing access to primary and reproductive healthcare.
Currently, Brittany spends much of her focus on increasing access to patient centered and trauma informed care. With intention, she curates spaces centering the most under-represented communities across the country and advocating for autonomy within care.
With a goal of impact Brittany brings together diverse minds to expand thought and influence the experience of both community and practitioners navigating systems. To this end, she also serves as a board member for Planned Parenthood of Delaware and Black Mothers in Power.
BGHC Leadership Counsel and Facilitators
Farron Harvey
Founder, Farron’s View
Pronouns: They/Them
I want to offer my services to those who feel connected to my work. For so long I believed that I had to compartmentalize myself if I wanted to be in certain spaces, but every time I left parts of myself it felt like a painful denial of my whole self- it felt like I wasn’t acknowledging that the reason why I am able to create, vision, collaborate, and execute is because of ALL of my identities, not despite it.
My commitment is to continuously practice bringing my whole self at all times. My offerings are rooted in my 16 years of experience in facilitation and movement work. My expertise continues to grow with ongoing training, learning, and mentorships.
Aja Harper MSN, RN-TNCC, SANE
Pronouns: She/Her
Aja Harper is a highly experienced and passionate Travel/Emergency Registered Nurse with a mission to educate black and brown communities on health disparities prevalent in urban areas. Aja hails from the North Side of Wilmington, Delaware, where she received her primary and secondary education at St. Peter's Cathedral School and the Red Clay School District, respectively.
Aja possesses a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Nursing from Delaware State University (DESU), where she later earned a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Education. She is a proud member of the esteemed Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated and Chi Eta Phi Nursing Sorority Inc.
During her 14-year career as a nurse, Aja has made a significant impact in healthcare, serving in different capacities at institutions such as St. Francis Hospital in Wilmington and The Hospital at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Today, she serves as a travel Emergency Nurse in Pennsylvania and the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area, where she is a Trauma certified, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE), CPR/ACLS instructor, and a master’s Prepared Nurse educator at Lincoln University.
Aja's unwavering commitment to eliminating health disparities in communities and promoting health education and justice is inspiring. She remains actively involved in her community and encourages people to lead active and healthy lifestyles while finding their passion in life. With her wealth of experience and expertise, Aja is saving lives, one patient at a time.
Ernestine Chambers, MSW, CWDP, CDP
Founder, Upskill Etc.
Pronouns: She/Her
Ernestine Chambers is a highly experienced human capital planning specialist with a proven track record of delivering results. With over 17 years of experience in both government and private sectors, she possesses extensive knowledge in developing teams. Ernestine is a nationally renowned trainer in diversity, equity & inclusion, leadership development & coaching, results-based accountability framework, and proficient in operational service delivery. She has facilitated training across various industries, from non-profit grassroots organizations to large corporations.
Ernestine's commitment to social justice is evident in her work in economic mobility, health access, housing stabilization, and equity advocacy. She has played an instrumental role in driving positive change in these areas, and her expertise is sought after by organizations across the country. She strongly believes that providing equitable health access will lead to better health outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and help address health disparities. “Everyone deserves access to quality healthcare that can positively impact their economic, social-emotional, and workforce productivity.” – E. Chambers
Stephanie Nicole Dawkins
Founder, Black Girls Hike Too!
Pronouns: She/Her
August 2020 Stephanie felt physically and mentally exhausted. Being a wife, a mother, a teacher, employee, cook and cleaner all in one home. She felt overworked and anxious and suffered from severe insomnia. Quite honestly, this working Mama felt as if she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. It was needing a reminder of what peace felt like that brought Stephanie back to the woods. As a child, Stephanie loved to be outside in particular on her Grandparents farm, tending the garden, the animals and occasionally running into the woods. August 2020 Stephanie remembered what brought her the most joy and that was being outside so she set out for a hike.
After feeling the sunlight, hearing the running waters, listening to the birds, she knew she needed to invite friends to join her hiking and thus this community of black women hiking began. One of Stephanie's objectives with this passion project is to debunk myths that black women are "afraid" of the outdoors or that it isn't a place for "us". This is a message that was told to us because of our history however Stephanie is set out to create a new story. HERSTORY.
Black Girls Hike Too! is a bold declaration that Stephanie is making to say we can hike, camp, swim, kayak, canoe, hunt, fish and take up space in the great outdoors as well.
Falon Desselle, MSW, LCSW
Pronouns: She/Her
Falon received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Delaware State University and is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has been in the social work field for approximately 14 years, and has experience working with individuals and families in many different capacities within the community.
Falon is passionate about working with individuals experiencing crisis, or who may feel socially excluded. Falon promotes resiliency and the utilization of resources to enhance the natural recovery process.
For all press inquires contact: press@blackgirlhealthcollective.org