Being part of the LEAD training program for me represents a significant and meaningful milestone in attempting (and succeeding) to build out a career and be recognized as a LGBTQ+ global mental health researcher. Naturally I started my career in LGBTQ+ health research in the HIV and sexual health field. However, over time I became connected with faculty who were more aligned with the work that I envisioned for my own career, who were doing research that was focused on LGBTQ+ communities outside of high-income countries and who also followed a community-based participatory research approach. The most recent years of my career have been focused on resolving the dissonance I have felt in the Academy and fully dedicating myself to research and opportunities that most align with my values and passion for mental health.
I heard about the LEAD training program through my mentor from my MSW/MPH program at the University of Michigan (UofM), Dr. Gary Harper. The mental health work that Gary and I did together during my time at UofM with LGBTQ+ communities in Kenya and Zambia critically helped shape who I am as a scholar. My time in St. Louis aligned perfectly with when Gary was also visiting his family. We grabbed Silky’s Frozen Custard together, one of his childhood favorites, and caught up after what has felt like a very long time. My time spent with Gary and those in the program who are also passionate about moving forward research that’s oriented toward community action and impact, tells me that I’m exactly on the path that I’m supposed to be. I’m ending the program feeling energized and feeling that I have gained the inspiration that I needed at this moment in my career. I am grateful to be a part of this community of global scholars and look forward to keeping in touch with everyone! Next steps for me are to defend my dissertation proposal and apply for global dissertation grants to help support this work!