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About Black Public Health Academy

About Us

About Black Public Health Academy

The Black Public Health Academy (BPHA) is a comprehensive capacity-building initiative dedicated to preparing Black public health professionals to rise into leadership and executive roles across health departments, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and community-based systems.
Recognizing the persistent underrepresentation of Black leaders in public health decision-making spaces, BPHA exists to dismantle structural barriers, cultivate executive readiness, and advance racial equity in systems that directly shape health outcomes for Black communities. We center lived experience as a strength, integrate culturally responsive leadership practices, and foster environments where Black professionals can lead authentically and boldly.
BPHA delivers a robust curriculum that blends core public health competencies with executive leadership development—covering strategic planning, policy advocacy, program evaluation, fiscal management, systems thinking, and equity-driven decision making. Participants receive personalized coaching, mentorship from seasoned Black public health leaders, and access to a peer learning network that reinforces confidence, collaboration, and sustained growth.
Through this work, the Black Public Health Academy is cultivating a new generation of transformative leaders equipped to confront inequities, strengthen institutions, and drive community-centered change with purpose, resilience, and vision.

Our Philosophy

Our philosophy centers Black leadership, lived experience, and cultural intelligence as essential drivers of effective public health systems. We reject one-size-fits-all approaches and instead prioritize solutions that are community-informed, data-driven, and grounded in real-world practice.

Our Vision

A future where Black public health leaders are fully represented, resourced, and influential in the decisions that shape health systems, policies, and outcomes—locally, nationally, and globally.

Our Mission

To build, strengthen, and sustain Black public health leadership by providing culturally responsive training, mentoring, coaching, and community-centered learning environments that advance equity, excellence, and measurable impact.

Our Founder and Leader –
Leisha McKinley-Beach

Leisha McKinley-Beach is a nationally recognized public health leader, HIV prevention strategist, and equity-driven change agent with decades of experience strengthening public health systems and advancing community-centered solutions.
As the Founder of Black Public Health Academy, Leisha brings deep expertise across HIV prevention, workforce development, policy implementation, and leadership coaching. Her work bridges technical public health excellence with cultural humility, systems transformation, and unwavering commitment to Black communities.
Leisha’s leadership is rooted in the belief that representation matters—and that when Black professionals are equipped, supported, and empowered, entire systems become more effective, equitable, and responsive. Through BPHA, she continues to shape national conversations on leadership, prevention innovation, and workforce confidence.
Black Public Health Academy

Our Proven Values

01

Equity In Action

We move beyond conversation to implementation to reduce disparities and improve health outcomes

02

Community Centered Leadership

We honor the voices, lived experiences, and leadership within Black communities—ensuring solutions are shaped by those most impacted.

03

Collective Power

We build partnerships, develop leaders, and strengthen networks to create sustainable change that uplifts entire communities.

We don’t just train professionals—we build leaders and strengthen systems.

Why Choose Us

Collective Visioning That Moves, Clarifies, Aligns, and Last.

Black-led. Community-centered. Systems-focused.

Proven experience in public health leadership and HIV prevention

Culturally responsive, equity-driven approaches

Practical tools with real-world application

Trusted partner to health departments, institutions, and communities

Our Contribution to Black Health

Our Contribution to Black Health

Supporting Women and Girls Across the Diaspora.

The webinar was designed to highlight programs in Uganda and Ghana providing HIV services for women and girls.

History of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

This conversation provided the origin of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

It's Been A Minute.

NPR conversation on women and sexual health.

AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Crisis in Florida

What is the real impact of the Florida ADAP crisis