About us
Meet the Team
Black Health is built by Black journalists, clinicians, and community advocates who understand, from lived experience, that the American health system has too often failed Black patients. Our team brings together editorial independence, clinical expertise, and deep community trust to produce health information you can actually use.
Editorial Team
Simone Abara, MPH, Editor-in-Chief
Simone has spent fifteen years working across public health journalism and community advocacy. A graduate of Howard University and the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, she previously served as health editor at a national Black media organization and as a communications fellow at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. She leads editorial strategy, manages the medical advisory board relationship, and writes a weekly editor's note. Contact: editor@blackhealth.org
Marcus Reid, Managing Editor
Marcus coordinates daily editorial operations, story assignments, and fact-checking workflows. A graduate of Northwestern's Medill School of Journalism, he spent eight years at regional newspapers covering health policy and local government before joining digital health media. Marcus oversees corrections policy and manages relationships with freelance contributors. Contact: managing@blackhealth.org
Destiny Okafor, MS, Lead Health Reporter
Destiny covers chronic disease, reproductive health, and health equity policy. She holds a master's in health communication from Boston University and has been recognized by the National Association of Black Journalists for her investigative reporting on maternal mortality. She is a member of the Association of Health Care Journalists. Contact: destiny@blackhealth.org
Operations & Partnerships
James Whitfield, Directory Operations Manager
James leads the provider verification process, NPI validation, and directory quality assurance. With a background in healthcare administration and a decade of experience in credentialing, he ensures every provider listing meets our verification standards. Contact: directory@blackhealth.org
Aaliyah Mensah, Community Partnerships
Aaliyah builds and maintains relationships with community health organizations, HBCUs, faith communities, and advocacy groups. She coordinates our community events calendar and ensures Black Health remains accountable to the communities it serves. Contact: community@blackhealth.org
Medical Advisory Board
Our Medical Advisory Board reviews editorial content and clinical accuracy standards. We are actively recruiting licensed Black clinicians across specialties including primary care, OB-GYN, psychiatry, cardiology, and pediatrics. If you are a licensed clinician interested in serving on our advisory board, please contact advisory@blackhealth.org.