‘One of my best qualities is that I actually believe in people.’.

Tierra Holmes Student Engagement Intern

Breakfast: I rarely eat breakfast, but if I do, it’s eggs and turkey bacon, or a green smoothie 

Hometown: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Extracurricular: I enjoy dancing, writing, and reading

What brought you to BUSPH and how would you describe your experience so far?

 Well, of the schools that accepted me, it was obvious that BUSPH was different; it was more of a creative space with unique opportunities and people. There is Public Health Post, the Racial Justice Talking Circles, the Diversity Leaders Scholarship Program (DSLP), an extensive Career and practicum office, (obviously) the Activist Lab, and of course, Dean Galea, whose book I really admired because he was writing about public health in a way that everyday people could understand. So, when my acceptance letter said that I could use my education to change the world, I believed it. Most importantly, I believed I could change it in my own way. 

Also, as a writer, I was inspired by the Public Health Post (PHP) and the articles they published. PHP writers captured some interesting stories about sex workers and orphans born with HIV. I appreciated their courage to diversify storytelling and acknowledge different people. And I thought, maybe I could do the same. Maybe, I could write about the health needs of men and boys or the role of single fathers. Deep down, I just loved the fact that BUSPH is willing to go there and flip things upside down and give a voice to people we don’t often read about. And, when writing is unconventional, it signifies resistance. That’s why so many poets can be considered activists because of how they used their skills to make a statement. I also tend to make statements through the act of resistance, whether it’s through writing or simply resisting any box that may cast me as one dimensional, and in my opinion, BUSPH has that same energy. 

My time here has been extremely transformative and validating. Transformative because I’ve been able to grow as a professional and operate in a new city that is in a state of reflection and seems to be dealing with racial inequities in its own way. Validating because I’ve always struggled to find my niche in public health, considering that I am not interested in the medical field. I’m more interested in the social determinants of health especially for families, and with that mentality, some suggested I pursue a degree in social work. BUSPH has shown me that public health is a field for those passionate about SDoH. If we don’t acknowledge the social determinants that give some an advantage and others a setback, we do a disservice to the families we’re supposed to advocate for. 

What are you looking forward to most from this internship? 

I admire the Activist Lab for helping student activists get involved in the community. I think it’s amazing that the Activist Lab offers the Activist Bucks program as a way for students to fund their ideas. In my role, I’m looking forward to meeting new people, listening to their stories, and helping to share their narratives with others. I love it when people feel empowered to tell their stories, and I think everyone deserves to be heard.

If you could choose any area of advocacy for BUSPH to engage in, what would it be and what would that engagement look like? 

First, I think the Activist Lab is already doing an amazing job at supporting a variety of initiatives that students and community members can be proud of. As an MCH and CAPDIE Certificate student, something that is near and dear to my heart is the health of families (fathers included). I care very deeply about the social, emotional, and mental well-being of families living in poverty who may not have the best opportunities. I am also concerned about family separation which can result from incarceration, eviction, domestic violence, migration, immigration, and more. In some cases, separation may be necessary when there are challenges in the home that bring harm and create instability. But I think separation can be prevented when families have what they need to survive. My vision is to see low SES families thriving despite all odds.

And I agree that policy change is the best way to bring structural advances to under-resourced communities. But I also think that it is equally important to help families improve their communication, conflict resolution, and coping skills. Even if structural racism is addressed on a policy level, people still need proper resources to heal. And that healing process must begin on an individual, interpersonal, and communal level. So I would love to see the Activist Lab promote healing within the family. Some action steps could be collaborating with students from the School of Social Work,  giving presentations at youth centers about the power of forgiveness, or educating public health students on specific policies that impact families. And I’m sure there are plenty of other ways that family health can be promoted. 

What do you want students to know about the Activist Lab and your role? 

My role is to engage students which means I need to listen, learn from, and be in open communication with students. I am a very open-minded person and love helping people figure things out. So students should work with me if they want to explore unconventional ideas like using theater to engage communities in public health topics. One of my best qualities is that I actually believe in people. I believe people can manifest whatever they envision and that belief helps me help others take their dreams seriously. Beyond that, if students have any additional questions about community engagement, activism, and service opportunities, they can feel free to reach out to me. 

― Emily Barbo