Queen V

Note: This was originally published on my personal website on September 24, 2016,  but moved here. We are angry. We are scared. We are sad. We are hurt. -The murders of black people by police officers. -Black face photos circulating around the world. -White elitist coaches telling black athletes who take a knee during the national country to leave America. -Black people being called messy and unkempt for wearing  locs while Marc Jacobs' models are praised for them. -Donald Trump telling  black people that they have 'nothing to lose' by voting for him because our circumstances are 'so poor.' -A white police officer lies about being shot by a black man. These are just a few of the headlines that sink the hearts of black people and our allies every week. These are just a few of the headlines that are now the norm in America. These are just a few of the headlines that make me question our safety in America. These are just a few of the headlines that make me

Note: I wrote this post months ago, while still in school. I've finally decided to post it. I think I have read only one research publication (in the context of the U.S.A) where the black and/or African-American group in the publication had a positive or better health outcome than the comparison groups (usually non-hispanic whites). Considering the amount of public health research that has been conducted, and the fact that I have not read every publication in the world, I obviously have a gap in knowledge, but when you think of the general information and health care trends- it's just very...well..depressing. As health outcomes are directly influenced by systems, wealth, privilege, and resources, the trends aren't surprising, but just discouraging. Despite the gains there is still a huge disparity. I am seeking out all and any research that has my people on top- a positive trajectory for black/african americans or any such improvements in all areas of health.  Feel fr

I met Sam in November 2014, when he came to Boys Excelling (BE Camp) as a junior facilitator from a fellow PCVs school in the southern province (shoutout to Max!). Sam is now in his last year at university at Livingstone International University of Uganda and has accomplished so much since, including starting his own organization/charity called 'Let Every Child Dream.' He was asked to write and share his life story so the organization he is working for this summer can use it to inspire children in Rwanda. After telling me his story and asking me to help him revise it on paper, I asked him if it would be okay if I shared it on my blog. I'm so proud of all you've accomplished Sam! My Life Story By: Sam Byukusenge My two older sisters died with my dad in The Genocide against the Tutsi in 1994. In 1995, my mum and I came from Congo. We found and that everything in our home was gone and destroyed so we went and stayed with my cousin. In 1996 my mum got another husban

When I was saying my goodbyes in Rwanda in July of last year, I never thought I would be back here just 10 months later. Having the opportunity to come back and reconnect with people while doing my summer practicum research has been so wonderful. I am here until August and am working at Projet San Francisco (PSF) (a clinic of the Emory Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group) on a Bill and Melinda Gates Grand Challenges Exploration Grant that my faculty advisor received. This project is focused on the supply and demand of postpartum family planning methods, specifically long-acting  reversible contraception. I'm working alongside an MPH student from U Michigan whose focus is on assessing the financial aspect of the project. Between her awesome french and my somewhat decent kinyarwanda we are able to get around and communicate with non-english speakers in various situations we've been in together both work and non-work related, so I say we make a great team! I was able to visit my

Where are you from? I've previously written about my difficulty answering this question ( Always Do What You're Afraid To Do &   Black Americanah in Rwanda ), which has personally helped me better able to 'answer' this question and be comfortable with how I describe my identity not only for myself, but to others. I've learned that this is probably a subject I will continue to reflect on throughout my life. This is a subject that is constantly on my mind. I (and probably everyone) constantly find myself  in conversations, meetings, interviews, and any social interactions where I'm asked this question.  Depending on how one interprets this question, one could answer with:   -Where you were born -Where you spent the majority of your childhood -Where your family roots are -Where you consider home that goes beyond places that result from birth or time in a place, and instead is focused on the emotional connection For me, none

Determined  but complacent. Productive but exhausted. Loved but isolated. Motivated but struggling. Thoughtful but stoic. Unsatisfied but full. Me vs. my surroundings. Me vs. my expectations. Me vs. myself, my identity, my home. Home. Home isn't here. There isn't home. A continuum. Not a place but a path. I am stuck. Lost. My continuum. My path. 8 months ago I detoured. A new path. A new place. Challenges. Knowledge. Opportunities. Loneliness. Determined  but complacent. Productive but exhausted. Loved but isolated. Motivated but struggling. Thoughtful but stoic. Unsatisfied but full. My new path. Places, People, Responsibilities: Obstacles on my path. I am the creator of my path, my continuum. I am determined. I am productive. I am loved. I am motivated. I am thoughtful. I am full.