Strengthening Communities from Within: Equity, Wellness, and Collective Action with Dr. A and ReGina

What does real community‑centered health equity look like, and what does it take to sustain it? In this episode of The Health Disparities Podcast, host Jerail Fennell sits down with two powerful leaders in community health: Dr. Atiya Abdelmalik and ReGina Newkirk Rucci.

Together, they unpack the lived experiences, grassroots strategies, and relationship‑building that fuel their work across the country. From disrupting harmful systems to investing in local leadership, Dr. A and ReGina share what it truly means to listen to communities, partner with them, and build solutions that last. Drawing from their work with the Center for Thriving Communities, they discuss:

Why lived experience is essential to leadership
How grassroots organizations are transforming health outcomes
The importance of listening before acting What funders and institutions must do differently
Why hope, collective care, and community power still drive the movement
How real relationships — not extractive engagement — create lasting change

Dr. A also reflects on her book, A Life Worth Saving, and the belief that every life and every community deserves to thrive. A must‑hear conversation for anyone working in health equity, community engagement, philanthropy, public health, or systems change.

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