Community Engagement Core

The Community Engagement Core is responsible for cultivating, organizing, and promoting bi-directional learning and communication between consortium members and community partners. The Core uses community-based participatory research to ensure that the voices and perspectives of marginalized communities are embedded into MACCH’s research and training initiatives.

  • Chidinma Ibe, PhD
    Core Leader
    Along with Dr. Cooper and Reverend Hickman, leads the Community Engagement Core (CEC), including developing and implementing strategies that foster knowledge about, and application of, best-practices in community-engaged research; assuring that MACCH community engagement activities are strengthened by interactions with the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity Community Advisory Board (JHCHE CAB); and evaluating the process and impact of community engagement strategies for each study and across MACCH. Represents MACCH at the Community Engagement Working Group Meetings facilitated by the NIMHD-funded Research Coordinating Center for the Health Equity Action Network. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for MACCH’s Healthy 4 2 Study.

    Reverend Debra Hickman, M.Div.
    Core Leader
    Along with Drs. Cooper and Ibe, leads the CEC including developing and implementing strategies that foster knowledge about, and application of, best-practices in community-engaged research; assuring that MACCH community engagement activities are strengthened by interactions with the JHCHE CAB; and evaluating the process and impact of community engagement strategies for each study and across MACCH. Provides guidance on Core operations and ensures that the lived experiences and voices of community partners are incorporated in all aspects of MACCH’s studies, based on extensive personal and professional experiences as a community leader, influencer, and advocate. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for MACCH’s UNLOAD-HF Study.

    Lisa A. Cooper, MD, MPH
    MACCH Co-Principal Investigator, Core Leader
    Along with Reverend Hickman and Dr. Ibe, leads the CEC including developing and implementing strategies that foster knowledge about, and application of, best-practices in community-engaged research; assuring that MACCH community engagement activities are strengthened by interactions with the JHCHE CAB; and evaluating the process and impact of community engagement strategies for each study and across MACCH. Provides feedback and overall guidance on all aspects of the CEC and ensures that the community-engaged research activities undertaken by each study are aligned with MACCH’s overarching goals.

    Deven Brown, MPA
    Program Manager
    Coordinates communication efforts between the MACCH CEC and the JHCHE CAB, liaises between the members of the CEC and study team leads; organizes, and drafts agendas for, CEC meetings; monitors the number and types of stakeholder engagement activities across the MACCH projects; and oversees the administration and management of data from evaluations of community-engaged research activities. Attends Community Engagement Working Group Meetings facilitated by the NIMHD-funded Research Coordinating Center for the Health Equity Action Network.

    Lee Bone, RN, MPH
    Co-Investigator
    Provides guidance on core operations and approaches to community-engaged research, based on extensive expertise in community-based participatory research approaches, in particular, collaborations with non-profit organizations and faith-based institutions. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for MACCH’s LINKED-HEARTS Study.

    Janice V. Bowie, PhD, MPH
    Co-Investigator
    Provides guidance on core operations and approaches to community-engaged research, based on extensive expertise in community-based participatory research approaches, health disparities research, and developing and evaluating community-based interventions in partnership with diverse stakeholders. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for MACCH’s Healthy 4 Two Study.

    Erica Shelton, MD, MPH
    Co-Investigator
    Provides guidance on core operations and approaches to community-engaged research, based on research and practice aimed at improving patient-provider communication among members of socially at-risk communities. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for MACCH’s UNLOAD-HF Study.

    Michelle Simmons
    Co-Investigator
    Provides guidance on core operations and approaches to community-engaged research, based on her experience as one of the first members of the JHCHE CAB and enduring community leadership. Brings her lived experiences navigating health and social resources to uplift patients’ and community members’ voices in the work of the CEC. Represents MACCH on the NIMHD-funded Health Equity Action Network Community Advisory Board. Serves as a Community Engagement Advisor for the LINKED-HEARTS Study.