Who We Are
MY HEALTH REIMAGINED is grounded in the belief that storytelling is a critical driver of health outcomes, scientific integrity, and policy accountability.
We understand that persistent health inequities are reinforced not only by access gaps and structural barriers but also by dominant narratives that frame marginalized communities primarily through risk, deficit, and disease burden.
When this happens, communities most affected by health inequities are often positioned as subjects of study rather than partners in knowledge creation. This imbalance perpetuates outcomes that fail to fully reflect lived realities, and thereby inequitably impacts:
Clinical research design and participant selection
Healthcare interactions and treatment strategies
Policy priorities and funding allocations
Black and Brown communities are disproportionately impacted by inequitable health outcomes and are systematically undervalued in shaping the narratives and the science that guide our health systems. My Health Reimagined addresses this imbalance by positioning community storytelling as a lever for accountability, trust‑building, and systems change; and we are dedicated to uplifting voices that historically are unheard, underrepresented, or undervalued in health narratives.
This work is about reshaping how health is understood, how outcomes are discussed, and how studies are designed. We are rewriting health narratives that influence research, patient-doctor interactions, and decision‑making systems; and we are doing the work one conversation at a time.
Conversations are guided by our pillar THRIVE components: Transforming mis-calibrated health standards to better represent our communities; Honoring the sovereignty of our health data and shifting decision-making power; Reclaiming our resiliences, strengthening our strengths, and realizing the origins of our risks; Innovating strategies to enhance our whole-person health; Valuing our ancestral and cultural roots; Exchanging knowledge through storytelling and the arts.
Meet LaVerne
LaVerne is the founding executive director at My Health Reimagined and host of the THRIVE podcast series. LaVerne experienced firsthand how her story was missing from narratives that determined the significance of some health outcomes over others and the appropriateness of established health standards. LaVerne launched My Health Reimagined to offer a space for storytelling and bi-directional learning after realizing a disconnect between her personal health story and the narratives that were normalized in her professional career as a biomedical scientist. She understands that when data are collected without regard to the lived experiences that shape those data, then health narratives can be distorted and health frameworks can miss the mark. LaVerne believes that when sharing our stories, we empower communities to reimagine a health system that serves us all better.
LaVerne has an earned Ph.D. in natural products chemistry (1998) and post-doctoral training in medicinal chemistry (2001). She’s also gained experience as a policy fellow (2016-2018) via the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) policy program. For the past 25+ years, LaVerne has used her training and experiences for educating, community outreach, health advocacy, and policy/program reform.
For fun, LaVerne loves dancing to her favorite tunes, trying new dishes at outdoor cafes, and knitting while sitting in a cozy spot in front of the fireplace.
Meet the Team
-
LaVerne L. Brown, Ph.D.
FOUNDER and EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
-
ALTHEA DUKE, BSN, RN
CHAIR, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-
Yasmeen Nkrumah-Elie, Ph.D.
SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
-
ALBERT E. WALKER
TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS