Founder, Equity Collective

Dr. Brittney Francis is a passionate social epidemiologist dedicated to addressing global health inequities through systemic and structural change. Her academic research bridges biological sciences, epidemiological methods, and sociological theory to examine how structural racism adversely impacts maternal morbidity and mortality for Black women worldwide, with a specific focus on hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Her groundbreaking work has been published in prominent journals, including the American Journal of Epidemiology, and has directly informed state and federal policymaking efforts.

Dr. Francis enhanced her epidemiological and translational skills during her doctoral training through the prestigious Health Policy Research Scholars program, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. This experience reinforced her commitment to translating research into actionable strategies for diverse stakeholders, a cornerstone of her work today.

Prior to her academic achievements, Dr. Francis worked as a researcher in the Public Health Research and Evaluation Group at Westat. In this role, she provided technical assistance, program evaluation, and capacity-building services for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grantees and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This professional experience and her academic expertise equip Dr. Francis and Equity Collective to integrate historical context, sociological theory, and public health practices into organizational strategies for advancing health equity.

Dr. Francis holds a Ph.D. in Epidemiology from Ohio State University, a Master of Public Health from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Miami. She completed a dual postdoctoral fellowship at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, serving as a Health and Human Rights Postdoctoral Fellow in the Structural Racism Initiative for Diversity with Equity Program at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights and as a David E. Bell Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard Center for Population and Development Studies. She is currently a Research Scientist at the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University.

Dr. Francis has also served as the immediate past president of the Society for the Analysis of African American Public Health Issues, a professional organization committed to dismantling structural racism and other systems of oppression to improve the well-being of all people across the African Diaspora.

In addition to her academic and professional work, Dr. Francis channels her passion for social justice through music. As a singer, rapper, and songwriter, she uses her art to express the challenges and triumphs of advocating for change, creating a unique blend of science and creativity that deepens her impact in the health equity space.

As the founder of Equity Collective, Dr. Francis leads a dedicated team that implements innovative strategies to build more equitable systems. Her leadership is rooted in integrating empirical research with cultural empathy, ensuring that health equity is not merely a goal but a tangible, actionable reality.

Hobbies:

Vocal Virtuoso: A passionate singer, Brittney finds solace and inspiration in music, often channeling her creativity and emotions through song.

Concert Enthusiast: Loves attending music concerts, embracing the live energy and diversity of sounds that echo her commitment to vibrant, inclusive communities.

Baker Extraordinaire: Enjoys baking as a form of mindfulness and a way to share sweet moments with friends and family.

World Explorer: An avid traveler, and because she is a Sagittarius. Brittney seeks out new experiences that broaden her perspective and fuel her work, ensuring her approach to health equity is as well-rounded as her itineraries.