Ayesha Clarke
Health Equity Solutions
United States
Ayesha R. Clarke is a dedicated professional with a successful career in multiple fields, including social work, public health, and economics. She is committed to amplifying the voices of marginalized communities.
Ayesha is a strong advocate for community engagement and believes in building meaningful relationships with stakeholders to achieve tangible outcomes. As the Executive Director of Health Equity Solutions, a non-profit organization that promotes social justice by advancing health equity through anti-racist policies and practices throughout Connecticut, Ayesha works tirelessly to create positive change.Ayesha's passion for policy and advocacy work is centered around health, criminal justice, and education, and she has a keen understanding of the intersection of community and policy. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the Commission on Racial Equity in Public Health for the State of Connecticut and previously held the elected position of Hartford Board of Education Chairperson.
Beyond her public office positions, Ayesha also actively contributes to the community in various ways. She is a member of The Citadel of Love and the Greater Hartford Branch NAACP, an adjunct professor, and an advisor for the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. She also serves on the Board of Trustee Chairperson for The Children's Museum and the Board of Director Treasurer for Community Health Resources (CHR).
Ayesha is a proud member of the Hartford Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has been married to TJ Clarke II for 16 years, and they have two wonderful boys.
About
Me.
What is your story?
What drives your work?
My commitment to building bridges in the realm of health equity is deeply personal, rooted in the experiences of my family. Witnessing my grandmother's battle with breast cancer and the injustice of my aunt’s death due to inadequate treatment for HIV/AIDS has profoundly shaped my trajectory. These familial connections fuel my passion for health equity, driving me to challenge the systems that have long failed marginalized communities.
Navigating public health spaces, I constantly confront the pressure to conform to societal norms, which often necessitates subverting stereotypes and redefining expectations. My words and experiences carry weight beyond my personal expression—they are a testament to my unwavering commitment to advocacy.
This commitment is deeply intertwined with my identity within a historically marginalized community, where the concept of equity in governmental sectors is not merely a goal but a challenge to the status quo. For people of color, equality has often been an elusive ideal, and equity within these structures offers a crucial opportunity for individuals like me to see policies and practices that actively work to dismantle the systemic barriers that have persisted for generations.
As a married woman and mother of two Black boys, my personal life adds layers to my advocacy. The disparities my family faced—redlining, food deserts, and poverty—drive me to challenge systemic injustices relentlessly. My upbringing, religious experience, and the nuanced understanding of both my privilege and the complexities of my identity empower me to navigate a world that is not tailored for someone like me. I am not just an advocate; I am a storyteller, weaving narratives that transcend policies and practices, pushing for changes that embed equity into governmental structures.
In this intricate dance between societal expectations and authenticity, I actively seek opportunities to amplify the voices of those who share my experiences. Through research, dialogue, and community initiatives, I work to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusivity in health equity. My journey is not just about academic achievement; it’s about delicately navigating spaces, advocating for a resilient community, and creating a world where the obstacles faced by my grandmother, my aunt, and countless others are eradicated for all. This is what drives my work—a deep-seated commitment to ensuring that the struggles of the past pave the way for a more equitable future.
Describe your biggest strength as a leader
My biggest strength lies in my strategic vision and ability to see the big picture. I excel at analyzing complex systems, identifying inefficiencies, and developing long-term plans that are both innovative and practical. My natural inclination toward logical thinking and problem-solving allows me to navigate challenges with a calm and methodical approach, ensuring that decisions are made based on data and sound reasoning. This strength enables me to lead teams effectively, guiding them toward achieving ambitious goals with clarity and purpose.
Describe your biggest challenge as a leader
My biggest challenge is balancing my high standards and expectations with the need for empathy and understanding in my interactions with others. While I am driven by a desire for excellence and efficiency, I can sometimes come across as overly critical or detached, particularly when I am focused on achieving results. This can create challenges in building strong, trusting relationships with team members, as they may feel that their contributions are undervalued or that their personal needs are overlooked. Recognizing this, I continually work on enhancing my emotional intelligence, striving to be more attuned to the feelings and perspectives of those around me while maintaining the strategic focus that drives my leadership style.
About the
Organization
and the Project.
Sector
Not-for-profit
Website
Vision & Mission
Advance Health Equity through anti-racist policies and practices.
Year Founded
2014
No. of Employees
12
Years in the Organization
3.5 years
Annual Budget (USD)
$1.9
Geographical Area Served
State of CT
Organizational /
Project Description
I would like to focus on advancing health equity, my project will focuses on implementing anti-racist policies and practices by supporting comprehensive social equity analysis. This initiative aims to identify and address systemic disparities by equipping organizations with the tools and frameworks necessary to integrate anti-racist principles into their operations. By doing so, our organization can ensure that policies and practices contribute to a more equitable and just society, ultimately enhancing the well-being of all communities through targeted collaboration, education, and advocacy.
Why is this project important and timely?
What is the target population of your project?
The target population for this project includes marginalized and underserved communities, particularly those most affected by systemic inequities and racism in healthcare and related sectors. The project aims to serve thousands of individuals by working with organizations that impact these communities directly.
Through the implementation of anti-racist policies and practices, the project will enhance access to equitable healthcare, improve health outcomes, and create more inclusive environments. The initiative will also indirectly benefit broader populations by fostering systemic changes that reduce disparities and promote social justice. By supporting organizations in conducting social equity analysis, the project will ensure that policies are not just inclusive but actively work to dismantle barriers to equity, ultimately impacting a wide range of communities across various sectors.
How will you know that you have achieved that impact? What data will you use to assess your impact?
Quantitatively, we will monitor changes in health outcomes, such as reductions in disparities in access to healthcare, improvements in preventive care, and a decrease in health conditions that disproportionately affect marginalized communities. We will also track the adoption and implementation of anti-racist policies by organizations involved in the project, as well as any increases in equitable resource allocation and funding to underserved populations.
Qualitatively, we will gather feedback from community members, organizational leaders, and other stakeholders through surveys, interviews, and focus groups. This feedback will help us understand the perceived effectiveness of the policies and practices implemented, as well as the overall shift in community culture toward greater inclusivity and equity.
Additionally, we will assess the extent to which organizations have integrated social equity analysis into their decision-making processes and the degree of community engagement and participation in equityfocused initiatives.
How do you anticipate this unique leadership education impacting you personally? What new skills are you hoping too develop & grow through this experience?
Being part of such a powerful network will challenge me to elevate my leadership style, encouraging me to harness my own power to drive meaningful change.
This experience will push me to refine my skills in strategic visioning, adaptive leadership, and inclusive practices. I am eager to develop the ability to lead with both strength and empathy, learning from fellow women leaders who have successfully navigated complex challenges. Additionally, I hope to grow in my understanding of how to leverage investment and philanthropy as tools for social impact, further aligning my professional endeavors with my personal values of equity and justice. I aim to cultivate a leadership approach that is not only effective in achieving results but also deeply rooted in the principles of empowerment and collective action. I believe that this experience will enable me to lead with greater confidence, purpose, and resilience, ultimately making a lasting difference in my community and beyond.
Where would you like to see yourself professionally in the next 3 years?
Based on my extensive experience and skills, I see myself excelling in a high-impact leadership role such as Executive Director at a major nonprofit or foundation focused on social justice or health equity, or as a Chief of Staff or Senior Policy Advisor in government. Alternatively, I could thrive as a Director of Social Impact or Corporate Social Responsibility in a for-profit organization, leveraging my expertise to drive meaningful initiatives.