Dr. Marcia L. Dinkins Recognized for Public Health Advocacy

The Black Appalachian Coalition (BLAC), which Dinkins founded, serves as a platform for story-based strategies that challenge systemic misconceptions. Originally established as Black Women Rising, the organization underwent a strategic evolution to better reflect its expansive mission of connecting communities across the Midwest and Appalachia. These efforts have earned Dinkins widespread professional acclaim, including the 2025 CEO Global Excellence Award.

Dinkins balances her advocacy with academic and creative pursuits. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy from Antioch University and is currently a Doctor of Ministry candidate at the Berkeley School of Theology. Her literary contributions, such as the children's book "This Is My Black" and her co-authored research in the Columbia Law Journal, emphasize identity and equity. As she looks to the future, Dinkins aims to scale BLAC’s infrastructure and utilize larger platforms to champion trauma-informed approaches to community transformation.