For two decades, Dr. Daphne C. Watkins has immersed herself in the complexities of Black men’s health, challenging stereotypes and addressing systemic barriers that hindered their access to health education and equitable healthcare. Her research has not just been about identifying the disparities Black men and boys experienced but instead helping them acquire more equitable resources and services in educational settings, community settings, and hospitals (See the YBMen Project for more information).

However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Watkins experienced a profound shift in perspective. As the world grappled with unprecedented challenges, she reflected on the leadership and organizational management skills honed over her career and the needs of leaders and organizations in light of the global pandemic. She also gained a deeper appreciation for the dozens of leaders and organizations she had collaborated with to design, deliver, and evaluate programming for communities of color. It became clear to her that while her work had made significant strides at the individual level, there was a pressing need to extend her impact to a broader scale.

Driven by this realization and armed with deep knowledge and experience working with leaders and organizations to improve Black men’s mental health, Dr. Watkins strategically broadened her focus to include leadership development and organizational management. She enthusiastically pursued additional education and training in executive leadership, business administration, and nonprofit management. Now, leveraging her wealth of experience and expertise, Dr. Watkins is committed to fostering collaboration and empowering leaders across various industries to enact meaningful change within their organizations. As a certified executive coach and leadership and management consultant, Dr. Watkins aims to transform systems and institutions to become more responsive to the needs of marginalized leaders and the communities they are committed to serving.