Leisha McKinley-Beach, BSHSE ’95, is a self-employed public health consultant who focuses on HIV/AIDS. She earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of West Florida and conducts training and presents on public health concepts and issues, primarily for communities of color. Her career as a peer educator began while she was a student at UF in 1991, with a group called the AIDS Peer Educators.

Ms. McKinley-Beach leads training sessions around COVID-19 and racism in health care at Morehouse College. She is also working with on research projects with Emory University focused on COVID-19 and its impact on people of color with HIV, and Black communities and their perceptions and attitudes around COVID-19 prevention strategies.

One of her greatest honors came from her work around National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day in which the mayor of Pensacola issued a proclamation thanking her for her work on the cause. In addition, she’s received recognition from the CDC Office of Minority Health and Equity and several NAACP branches across Florida.

Q&A

What did you learn at HHP?

I learned so much about knowing the population you're serving and allowing that knowledge to influence program design. It’s an amazing feeling to fast forward 30 years and see how the type of training in the classroom still applies today, and that became so evident for me during the COVID pandemic.

Within public health, who do you look up to?

Dr. Delores James, a professor in the Department of Health Education and Behavior, had an incredible impact on my education at HHP. Dr. James made a personal investment in me and gave me the first model of investing back in the community via mentorship, inspiration and encouragement to other people of color who are part of the public health workforce.

I was also impacted by Ronald Henderson, the first statewide minority AIDS coordinator for the state of Florida. He looked at how HIV was affecting Black and Latino communities. Ron taught me that when you go into these spaces, and you talk about program design, remain true to what the needs are for the communities that we serve, even when your vision or concept is not the popular opinion.

What is your most memorable HHP class?

My human sexuality class, taught by Dr. Rienzo, became a defining moment for me and my track in public health.

Why should a prospective student study at HHP?

UF opened so many doors for me – being a graduate from the college brought prestige as being a subject matter expert in public health.

The college itself gave me the space I needed to explore my areas of interest in public health. I chose to focus on sexual health. I knew that my work would impact the community that I represented and provide me with the education and tools needed to support my passion and commitment to increase overall positive health outcomes in Black communities.

If you could give your freshman self any advice, what would it be and why?

I would say to her, I know you can't see it now, but you will make history at UF. You will become the first student ever hired by the student health center to prepare women for the first pelvic and pap exam. There is a divine path for your life, own it, accept it, and be it. This is the opportunity for you to have your defining moment. It’s not about anyone else, it’s about you and what you hold to be true. If you always center that, you will always be a success at sharing your true authentic self with humanity.

As a first-generation college student, I had so many people back home depending on me to graduate and had high expectations of me and what career path I should choose. I encourage students to take time and smell the roses during their college career because this period is not going to come around again. I missed so many opportunities to do that because I was so focused on graduating in four years. I encourage students to not let the pressure and expectations of others get to them. College is going to be an amazing experience – enjoy the ride.

What has been your rewarding experience?

I started an initiative in Florida with the Statewide Minority AIDS Coordinator, Mr. Ronald Henderson called SISTAS Organizing to Survive (SOS). The initiative was to address the increasing rates of HIV among Florida's Black women. We set a goal to test 100,000 Black women for HIV on an annual basis in Florida by 2010. We achieved that goal for 2010 and beyond. The grassroots initiative began in 2008 and still reigns as the most successful mobilized HIV initiative for the state of Florida.

The work I do now as an independent public health consultant, supporting health departments, coalitions, and grassroots initiatives across the southeast is truly the MOST rewarding. I am in a position of influence to support the work of numerous entities that have the same goal of ending the HIV epidemic for communities of color. That will be my life legacy.

What is one thing someone might not know about you?

Most people don’t know that I absolutely love country music — from Dolly Parton to the Florida Georgia Line.

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