Written By: Dr. Sonya Alise McKinzie
In the ever-evolving landscape of public health, few voices resonate as powerfully and purposefully as that of Dr. Rahmatu Kassimu, affectionately known as Dr. K. is a public health strategist, educator, and founder of Dr. K.’s Health Minute.
Dr. K is a force for equity, healing, and transformation!
With four academic degrees in Sociology, Public Health, Health Studies, and Educational Leadership, Dr. K. brings a rare blend of scholarly rigor and lived experience to every space she enters. Rooted in her identity as a Black woman, mother, and educator from Dallas, Texas, she has spent over a decade teaching in urban schools, mentoring students, training educators, and consulting on public health initiatives. Her work sits at the intersection of health equity, education, and cultural healing.
A Platform Born from Love and Urgency
Dr. K.’s Health Minute was born on Valentine’s Day, a symbolic gesture that reflects the heart-centered nature of her work. “I’m corny,” she laughs, “but it was intentional. I was tired of hearing about how Black and Brown people experience health inequities at disproportionate rates. I wanted to do something about it.”
What began as a digital platform offering digestible health information has grown into a vibrant community resource. From monthly health observances to real-time updates on public health crises, Dr. K. curates content that is not only informative but deeply affirming. “Anyone can use the information I provide,” she says, “but it is specifically tailored for Black and Brown people.”
Reclaiming Our Stories, Reclaiming Our Power
For Dr. K., wellness is more than physical health, it’s about reclaiming the stories that shape our lives. “Reclaiming wellness narratives means speaking about our experiences through our voices,” she explains. “It means amplifying our words so that we are heard and valued.”
In the context of Black maternal mental health and reproductive justice, this reclamation is revolutionary. She believes that storytelling is a tool of empowerment. “We’ve been taught that reproductive health is private, but that silence leaves many women uninformed. Sharing stories creates community, affinity, and power.”
Her approach to public health is deeply personal. “Everything I do is informed by my lived experience,” she says. “I’m not a researcher who believes we must be apart from the concepts we study. Our connection brings nuance.” Still, she’s careful not to project. “You can share an affinity with someone and not be the same as them. The people of the world are a tapestry, each thread unique.”
Grief and healing are central themes in her advocacy. In communities where silence and stigma often surround these topics, Dr. K. approaches with humility. “I come in as a companion, not an expert,” she says. “Grief doesn’t follow a timeline. It’s cyclical, unpredictable, and deeply personal.” Her approach is gentle yet transformative. “I model vulnerability to show that it’s okay not to be okay. I encourage, but I never push. Healing begins with acceptance.”
Dr. K. is unflinching in her critique of the myths that plague Black women’s health. “One of the most persistent misconceptions is that Black women are ‘strong enough’ to endure anything,” she says. “This leads to delayed diagnoses, poor pain management, and dismissal of our concerns.”
She also challenges the notion that poor health outcomes are solely the result of personal choices. “I center lived experiences, highlight disaggregated data, and create spaces where Black women are heard and believed.”
A Vision for Equity and Accountability
To those entering the field, Dr. K. offers wisdom rooted in accountability. “Start by asking: Who benefits from this work, and who could be harmed if I get it wrong?” she advises. “Equity means engaging communities as partners, not subjects.” She encourages building diverse advisory circles, reading beyond one’s discipline, and committing to long-term change. “Equity-centered work is not a one-off project, it’s a commitment to transparency and shared power.”
Dr. K. dreams of a public health system that is proactive, holistic, and justice-driven. “Wellness would include mental, emotional, spiritual, and community health,” she envisions. “Care would be culturally grounded and free from stigma.” Her role? To be a bridge and a blueprint. “I want to connect data to real lives, policy to practice, and communities to resources. My goal is to leave behind a legacy where equity is not just a buzzword but a measurable reality.”
