CPH 09 - Faith, Foundation, and Fierce Determination: A Conversation with LaShonda Richardson, MPH, CCHW
Release Date: 06/17/2025
CPH 19 — Fear as Fuel, Joy as Resistance, Liberation as Practice: A Conversation with Jannah Bierens, MPH, MA
Courageous Public Health
On This Episode Of The Courageous Public Health Podcast In this expansive and soul-stirring conversation, Jannah Bierens, MPH, MA shares how courage, curiosity, and lived experience have shaped her radical reimagining of public health. From leaving traditional institutions to stepping fully into purpose, she reflects on what it means to color outside the lines, take up space, and practice public health as a form of protest, healing, and love. Jannah invites us into her world as an educator, community builder, and truth teller—someone who lights the way by embodying the change she wants to...
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CPH 18 — Self-Love, Representation, and Advocacy: A Conversation with Dr. Ericka Horne
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In this authentic and inspiring conversation, Dr. Ericka Horne shares how courage, self-love, and faith have shaped her journey as a Black woman in public health. From boldly shaving her hair as an act of personal liberation to standing up against injustice in the workplace, she reflects on the moments that called her to take action despite fear—and how those moments continue to fuel her purpose today. Dr. Horne invites us into her story of modeling as a plus-size woman, where she champions body positivity and helps young women embrace self-love at every stage of life. She also speaks to the...
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CPH 17 — Courage in Grief, Power in Presence, Strength in Family: A Conversation with Dr. Nandi Marshall
Courageous Public Health
In this powerful and deeply grounded conversation, Dr. Nandi Marshall reflects on how grief, authenticity, and courage have shaped her leadership and life. From running for APHA President while mourning the loss of her father, to resisting pressure to censor public health language, she shares what it means to lead with heart—and to keep showing up, even in the hard moments. Dr. Marshall invites us into her world as a mother, sister, and advocate—someone who takes up space with joy and integrity, while modeling what it looks like to center both community and self. With clarity and...
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CPH 16 — Courage on the Homefront: A Conversation with Dr. Chambraia Jones
Courageous Public Health
In this warm and inspiring conversation, Dr. Chambraia Jones shares how courage, community, and advocacy have shaped her journey as a military spouse, mother, and public health professional. From navigating deployments with a newborn, to earning her PhD while balancing family and work, she reflects on what it means to act despite fear, embrace growth, and build community across each chapter of life. Dr. Jones speaks honestly about the challenges of employment, parenting, and mental health support in military life — and how she’s using her voice to uplift and empower others. Meet Dr....
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CPH 15 — Master Connector, Lived Experience, and Spectacular Nails: A Conversation with Dr. Nicole D. Vick
Courageous Public Health
In this dynamic and heartfelt conversation, my guest shares how courage, mentorship, and lived experience have shaped her personal and professional journey. From navigating college as a teen mom to challenging systems that fail to value Black women in public health, she reflects on what it means to act despite fear and to lead with authenticity and purpose. She invites us into her world as a connector, mentor, and advocate—someone dedicated to empowering the next generation of public health leaders while pursuing her own bold vision for the future (which just might include a nail salon!)....
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CPH 14 — Community, Courage, and Collective Power: A Conversation with the Honorable Attica Scott
Courageous Public Health
In this bold and heartfelt conversation, my guest shares how courage, community, and disruption have defined her life’s work. From standing on the frontlines of the movement for justice for Breonna Taylor alongside her teenage daughter, to breaking barriers as the first Black woman elected to Kentucky’s state legislature in nearly two decades, she reflects on what it means to act despite fear and to lead with integrity, purpose, and joy. With honesty and vulnerability, she shares how saying no can be a powerful act of courage, and how envisioning joy can be a radical practice in the face...
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CPH 13 - Unapologetically Me: A Conversation with Dr. Zenobia Bryant Antoine
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In this thoughtful and illuminating conversation, my guest shares how courage, authenticity, and data storytelling have shaped her work as a Black woman in public health. From shifting away from a lifelong dream of becoming a medical doctor to founding her consulting business, she reflects on the moments when she chose to act despite fear—and how she continues to build a career rooted in purpose and advocacy. She invites us into her journey as a data storyteller, entrepreneur, and mentor, offering insights on navigating systems that weren’t designed for people like her and the power of...
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CPH 12 - Bright Colors, Big Courage, Boundless Heart: A Conversation with Tansy McNulty, MBA
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In this powerful and joy-filled episode, Dr. McClamroch sits down with Tansy McNulty, a problem solver, mother, and founder of a nonprofit focused on harm reduction and community wellness. Tansy shares how leaving corporate America to create community-based solutions was an act of deep courage—one rooted in love for her two Black sons and a vision for a safer, more just world. From navigating pregnancy loss and high-risk births to winning on the $100,000 Pyramid game show, Tansy reminds us that courage takes many forms—and joy and laughter are revolutionary acts of their own. ...
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CPH 11 - Backpacks, Blueprints, and Boldness: A Conversation with Dyan Jenkins Ali, MHA, LHI
Courageous Public Health
In this deeply moving conversation, Dyan Jenkins Ali shares what it means to lead with courage, clarity, and conviction. From surviving a racially motivated attack on her childhood home to organizing the University of Michigan’s COVID-19 response, Dyan reflects on how her values, faith, and lived experiences have shaped a lifetime of principled leadership. She introduces us to her philosophy of “backpack wisdom”—a powerful metaphor for the lived knowledge we carry and draw from over time. Through stories of advocacy, resilience, and hard truths spoken in rooms not built to hold...
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CPH 10 - The Sound of Shattered Glass: A Conversation with Dr. Gabriela Alcalde
Courageous Public Health
In this insightful, rich, and layered conversation, Gabriela Alcalde—author, public health leader, and values-driven changemaker—invites us to rethink what leadership really means. Drawing from her experience as an immigrant woman of color in philanthropy and public health, Gabriela speaks with bold clarity about the discomfort, responsibility, and power of leading with integrity. She shares the origin story of her courage—a six-year-old girl in Peru who broke through a glass door in the name of fairness—and how that moment has shaped her commitment to justice ever since. From...
info_outlineIn this uplifting and deeply grounded conversation, LaShonda Richardson—public health educator and founder of Emerge Public Health and Community Development—shares what it means to lead with faith, clarity, and unapologetic presence. Raised by her grandmother in a small town in North Carolina, LaShonda reflects on how her early experiences taught her discipline, resilience, and the importance of standing firm in who you are.
She speaks candidly about being the only Black woman in professional spaces—and the courage it takes to keep showing up, speak your truth, and take up space with intention. With warmth and wisdom, LaShonda reminds us that claiming your power isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present, prepared, and rooted in purpose.
Throughout the episode, she returns to a message of community, legacy, and faith: that your voice matters, your leadership is needed, and someone is always watching, waiting to be inspired by your first step.
Meet LaShonda Richardson, MPH, CCHW
LaShonda Richardson, MPH, CCHW is a Public Health Consultant, Certified Community Health Worker, and the CEO and Founder of EMERGE Public Health and Community Development LLC. With a mission to Educate. Motivate. Empower. Restore. Grow. Evolve., she works with communities, businesses, and organizations to deliver impactful health education, facilitate engaging workshops and events, and develop wellness programs that drive lasting change.
As a public health educator, speaker, and event planner, LaShonda specializes in making health information accessible, engaging, and culturally relevant. She’s known for her ability to “take the pain out of planning” by offering seamless event execution, dynamic trainings, and expert-led consulting tailored to the needs of diverse audiences.
LaShonda has led powerful initiatives around breast cancer and diabetes awareness, spoken at the North Carolina Public Health Association conference, and created programs that empower communities to make informed decisions about their health. Through EMERGE Public Health, she also connects clients with a trusted network of health professionals to ensure specialized, expert-led education when needed.
Whether planning an event, facilitating a training, or speaking on health equity, LaShonda brings passion, purpose, and professionalism to everything she does.
Listen To This Episode of The Courageous Public Health Podcast
Conversation Highlights
- Courage Rooted in Upbringing - LaShonda reflects on her childhood in a strict, faith-centered home in rural North Carolina, and how her grandmother’s love and discipline shaped her ability to persevere through exclusion, judgment, and fear.
- Taking Up Space - She shares what it’s like to be the only Black woman in professional spaces—and the intentional work it takes to speak up, set the tone, and claim your worth, even when others question your presence.
- Power with Purpose - LaShonda discusses the pressure Black women face to appear “professional” without being labeled “aggressive,” and how she’s learned to express power with grace, conviction, and self-trust.
- Community-Centered Public Health - As the founder of Emerge Public Health and Community Development, LaShonda describes how she designs wellness programs that meet people where they are—infusing joy, creativity, and cultural relevance into every event.
- Building the Table - She offers a bold call to action for Black women: stop waiting for a seat at the table—build your own. LaShonda encourages others to take the leap, even if all the pieces aren’t in place yet.
- Leading for the Next Generation - LaShonda reminds us that courage isn’t just personal—it’s generational. She speaks passionately about uplifting young people and creating space for them to lead with confidence and clarity.
- Faith, Vision, and Relentless Belief - Throughout the episode, LaShonda returns to her faith as a compass—one that keeps her grounded in purpose, committed to service, and confident that her voice matters.
“You are the thermostat. You set the tone when you walk into the room.” - LaShonda Richardson, MPH, CCHW
Stay In Touch:
EMERGE Public Health and Community Development LLC - https://emergephcd.com/
LaShonda Richardson on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lashondarichardsonmphcchw/
LaShonda Richardson on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lashondarichardson15/
LaShonda Richardson on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/1K8pb6u29e/
Email Dr. Kristi McClamroch - [email protected]
Dr. Kristi McClamroch on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch/
www.CourageousPublicHealth.com
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Public Health Consulting To Support You
At Courageous Public Health, we are turning up the volume on courage within women, particularly Black, Indigenous, and Women of Color who are doing the work of public health. We support public health organizations through workshop design and facilitation, and speaking engagements. Interested in working with us? Reach out on email, LinkedIn, or our website!