In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Rebecca Désir shares what it looks like to take action before you feel ready—moving away from everything familiar, starting something from nothing, and building in real time.
From launching the Black Joy Festival during the pandemic with no funding and no clear path, to redefining her identity and leadership over time, she reflects on the courage it takes to trust yourself and keep going.
This conversation explores how courage builds—through action, through uncertainty, and through the decision to begin anyway.
Meet Rebecca Désir, MPH✨
Rebecca Désir, MPH is a public health strategist and founder of the Black Health Commission, where she advances health equity through community centered programming, thought leadership, and culturally responsive initiatives. She is passionate about creating spaces that connect healthcare professionals, creatives, and community leaders, including through initiatives like the BLK JOY Festival. Rebecca’s work focuses on redefining public health by centering culture, community voice, and sustainable impact. Outside of her work, she enjoys traveling, collecting vinyl records, and exploring the intersection of culture, storytelling, and wellness.
Conversation Highlights 🎙️
- Leaping Before You’re Ready — Rebecca shares what it took to move away from her family for her first job, stepping into the unknown without a safety net.
- Building Something from Nothing — She describes creating the Black Joy Festival during the pandemic—starting with just an idea, no funding, and figuring it out in real time.
- Doing Before You Feel Ready — Rebecca reflects on how confidence came through action—learning by doing rather than waiting until she felt fully prepared.
- Letting Identities Have a Season — She talks about releasing roles and expectations that no longer bring joy, and allowing herself to evolve without seeing change as failure.
- Leading Through Connection — Rebecca names relationship-building and community connection as core strengths—and essential tools for advancing public health in ways that truly resonate.
“I didn’t know how it was going to happen, but I knew it needed to.” — Rebecca Désir, MPH
Stay in Touch 🔗
With Rebecca Désir, MPH
LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccadesir/
Website ↗: www.blackhealthcommission.com
With Dr. Kristi McClamroch
LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristi-mcclamroch
Website ↗: www.CourageousPublicHealth.com
Follow for weekly reflections on courage and leadership ↗: http://eepurl.com/jcgQv6
Public Health Consulting to Support You 🤝
We partner with public health, healthcare, nonprofit, philanthropic, and government organizations to design and facilitate interactive workshops for women leaders in public health — turning courage into a leadership skill so it becomes an organizational strength.
If your organization would benefit from this kind of support, we’d love to connect. Reach out on LinkedIn ↗ or through our website ↗.
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