Impact starts with being present, not perfect.

When I started doing outreach, I thought it had to be something big, like speaking at a large event, leading a campaign, or launching a new initiative. But the more I got involved, the more I realized that real outreach is usually quiet. It’s a hallway conversation after a school visit, a smile from a student who recognized herself in my story, a small moment that reminds someone they matter.

For me, outreach began with flyers and organizing back-to-school drives at Ribault. Then, it grew into leading “Get RAW Chats,” where we talked about everything from hygiene to nutrition in a way our classmates could relate to. And now, through CROWN of Health, outreach looks like sitting on the floor of an elementary school classroom, reading The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project and helping students fill out their very own wellness activity books. It means listening as they share stories about skipping meals, helping their grandparents in the garden, or visiting the community plot down the street to pick vegetables.

One of the most meaningful parts of this project is that I donate $1 to Feeding Northeast Florida for every book sold. This partnership has helped provide over 1,600 meals to families across eight counties. It’s one small way I can ensure that the message inside the book is matched by real support outside of it.

Why It Matters

Outreach is where connection and community collide. It’s how we bring services, education, and opportunity to people who often lack the time, transportation, or resources to seek them out.

In public health, outreach is the beginning of prevention. It’s where trust is built. It's what allows us to close gaps before they become crises. That’s why it's a foundational pillar of CROWN of Health. Equity doesn’t just happen in hospitals or offices. It happens in classrooms, community centers, and neighborhood churches. It occurs in the places we live, play, and grow.

Outreach sends a powerful message to students, especially: You’re seen, valuable, and deserve care.

How CROWN Is Taking Action

Outreach under CROWN of Health is hands-on, human-centered, and hyper-local. Here’s what that’s looked like so far:

• Book Readings & Literacy Outreach - I’ve donated and read copies of The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project to elementary schools in underserved communities. With every page, I try to help kids build healthy habits and see themselves reflected in wellness conversations.

• Feeding Northeast Florida Partnership – A dollar from every copy of The Not-So-Perfect Garden Project is donated to Feeding Northeast Florida. This partnership has helped provide over 1,600 meals across eight counties and reflects my belief that outreach should be educational and actionable, bridging health literacy with real, immediate support.

• Social Media Advocacy - Using my social channels to promote wellness through paid partnerships has allowed me to sustain CROWN of Health and build the resources needed to expand its reach. These collaborations help amplify health messaging while supporting the initiative's long-term growth.

• Digital Access - Outreach doesn’t stop at in-person events. I’m using digital platforms to bring health information to families, students, and educators statewide through blog posts, downloadable classroom tools, and my Wellness Wednesday series.

• Volunteer & Leadership Opportunities - I’m also working to create new ways for students to earn service hours while supporting their own communities, through book donations, survey participation, or even starting mini CROWN-style clubs at their schools.

  
  

It’s outreach that leads with empathy, not ego, because health access should never feel out of reach.

Get Involved

Outreach isn’t about being everywhere; it’s about being present where it matters most. I genuinely believe that anyone can be an advocate when they understand their community’s needs and care enough to respond.

So whether you’re a student who wants to get involved, a parent who wants to bring CROWN programming to your child’s school, or an educator looking for a fresh, culturally relevant approach to health education, this work is for you.

📩 DM me “OUTREACH” to connect, collaborate, or bring a CROWN event to your school or organization.

Outreach isn’t a side piece of the mission. It is the mission.