In this episode of the Courageous Public Health Podcast, Aaliyah Belk shares what it looks like to find your way in public health — even when you don’t fully understand the path ahead.
From navigating identity and learning how to take up space, to asking for help and building her career without a clear roadmap, Aaliyah reflects on the courage it takes to keep going when you feel uncertain.
This is a conversation about courage, identity, and growth — and what it means to stay the course in a field that doesn’t always have clear answers.
Meet Aaliyah Belk, MPH✨
Aaliyah Belk is a Project Coordinator based in Atlanta, Georgia and a public health professional with over seven years of experience in human-centered programming, mixed methods research, and systems strengthening across national and global contexts.
She holds a Bachelor’s in Public Health Education and a Master of Public Health in Health Equity, Social Justice, and Human Rights.
Most recently, Aaliyah served as a fellow at the CDC within the Division of Violence Prevention, contributing to national efforts addressing adverse childhood experiences, youth violence, and domestic violence. She also served as Executive Committee Co-Chair for the CDC Fellows Collective, supporting community and collaboration across fellows.
Aaliyah was featured in Teen Vogue for her research and advocacy on reproductive justice for Black women, and she is passionate about using strategic communication and trauma-informed approaches to advance equity and accessibility in public health.
Conversation Highlights 🎙️
- Learning to Take Up Space Thoughtfully — Aaliyah reflects on navigating her identity and how she shows up in professional spaces, balancing her voice with the responsibility to amplify others.
- Discovering Public Health Without a Roadmap — From initially pursuing nursing to finding public health through a class, she shares what it felt like to follow an instinct before fully understanding the field.
- Asking for Help as a Turning Point — A pivotal moment came when she reached out to a graduate student for guidance, leading to mentorship, research opportunities, and a clearer path forward.
- Navigating Uncertainty in Graduate School — Starting her MPH during the COVID-19 pandemic, Aaliyah describes feeling lost and unsupported — and the courage it took to continue despite that uncertainty.
- Rebuilding the Future of Public Health — She shares a hopeful vision for the field, emphasizing the opportunity to rebuild systems, strengthen communication, and encourage the next generation to stay committed.
“I didn’t know what I was doing — I just knew I wanted to do it.” — Aaliyah Belk, MPH
Stay in Touch 🔗
With Aaliyah Belk, MPH
LinkedIn ↗: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaliyahbelk/
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 ↗.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download