Ayana Jordan

“When people know better, they do for the most part”, Ayana Jordan (Yale University, CT, USA) elucidates, with a caveat. “I'm always going to be honest, and there are conversations I have, try get understand things, that used upset me, but now am doing this work, can see enlightenment, change”. Such would typically around entrenched racism; stark contrast in treatment receive based on colour of their skin. “We want believe we post-racial era, reality is world beginning recognise how damaging racism be”, she says. “My work focuses minority communities, social determinants underpin substance use mental health within those communities”. Yes, it personal, adds, her deep investment job has set out do. Assistant Professor at Yale, I'm an addictions psychiatrist attending physician—those my titles have lot jobs”, nods slowly smile. She heads, as principal investigator, newly established National Institutes Health (NIH)-funded Wellness collaboration, interdisciplinary research initiative aims create inclusive culture wellness communities from public perspective. Understanding cultural differences driver change: “even one many nuances, not monolith”, powerful message: accept uncomfortable truths racial inequality, make fair right. authentic charismatic—she says is: “racism percolates through everything”. appreciate opportunity reflect, says, recalling impact early years: “I had awesome childhood. grew up Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, historically African American neighbourhood, Hill District”. Aged 12 moved middle-class all-white neighbourhood —a “rude awakening what really Black America”. It still hurts today, deeply saddened by prevailing ignorance, injustice, acts racially fuelled violence, these experiences been assimilated channelled into positive mind much needed change. Science appealed Jordan; serial wins competing Pennsylvania's Junior Academy Sciences built confidence speaking trust own ideas: “so knew wanted involved scientific inquiry”. attended university (HBCU) Hampton (Hampton, VA, USA). parents were both educated first HBCU, Cheyney University told me could go anywhere wanted, only pay HBCU. was so young naive, no idea about Afro Barbadian, Caribbean Latinx culture, amazing scholars looked like me.” There met friend mentor Michelle Penn-Marshall, who encouraged pursue academia. With PhD sights studied MD Albert Einstein College Medicine New York City, “great learning environment [being] submerged white student population again sobering experience”. “At basic science lab studying immunopathology, didn't love it. crossroad. Then devastating event happened life, which led therapy, thought, ‘how did here?’”. Coming personal crisis, some important decisions. Shocked level poverty witnessed South Bronx, emboldened experiences, realised disadvantaged psychiatrist. trained completing psychiatry residency addiction fellowship, became board certified faculty since 2016. “There very few psychiatrists even fewer specialists…and associate program director Yale… bittersweet considering long Yale training residents”, “And last year got NIH R01 grant, huge deal less than 1% investigators funded Black”. The pinnacle explains, “how life-saving need most. What scaffold build restructure?” Faith institutions playing large part paradigm; intervention community church-based advisors, recovering themselves, working. When any criticism being divisive, or racist, focusing response simple: hope day place where isn't needed”. travelling picture right now, “all-encompassing”, Jordan's downtime hosts Trivia Night zoom: “It's just fun, learn, laugh”. Having spent hour Jordan, echo that, despite seriousness problems facing laughed, more now. responsibility change lies all us.