Ep. 11: Community advocacy with Flojaune Cofer, PhD, MPH.
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This season, we're diving deep into the world of purpose work and how people are making a difference in their communities.
Today, we have a very special guest with us, Ms. Flojaune Griffin Cofer. As an epidemiologist and Senior Director for Policy at Public Health Advocates, she's no stranger to making an impact in the world. She's also the host of the local political podcast Voices River City, a member of the Sacramento Sister Circle, and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. And did I mention she's my life sister? We can't wait to hear about her incredible work and all the amazing things she's doing to empower her community. So sit back, relax, and get ready to be inspired.
WHAT TO LISTEN FOR:
Public health prevention and restorative justices [1:53]
Being a public health person who's trying to connect what she knows to what she does
Trying to minimize the harm that happens to people
Figuring out how to create a world where we need fewer ambulances
The impact of public health to Flojaune’s life [12:18]
Flojaune started doing a combination of policy and epidemiology work in 2011, shortly after the Affordable Care Act was passed.
She helped write recommendations and submit testimony to the Institute of Medicine advocating for services to be available without cost sharing, including free birth control and preventive visits.
The experience of the lack of coverage for birth control under her own health insurance policy, which motivated her to advocate for this issue.
Enjoyed working on policy implementation, but wanted to be involved in the policy-making process as well.
Flojaune is now part of a public health advocacy organization focused on equity and social justice, drawing on her personal experiences growing up in a neighborhood with a mix of socioeconomic backgrounds.
A personal urgency and commitment to advocating for issues that affect her and people in her community.
Does everyone have a purpose? [27:04]
Everyone has a purpose
People often believe that their purpose and their means of making money are the same thing
This can lead to difficulty in identifying one's purpose, as it may not be monetizable
Being a great parent can be a purpose, even if it is not a profession
Sometimes what we are meant to do may not be something that can be monetized
Society's focus on identifying a profession from a young age can limit our understanding of our purpose
Advice to younger self [41:21]
Breathe, relax, and be okay with not having everything figured out
Life would be boring if you knew everything that was going to happen
Be open to the possibility that things may not happen on your timeline or follow a set rubric
Enjoy the moment and don't worry too much about the future
Spend time with older people who reflect on their lives and wish they had enjoyed more in the moment
Take risks and try to live life to the fullest
EPISODE QUOTES:
I'm here, I'm gonna be present at this moment. And whatever unfolds for me, and the next moment, I'm just gonna go with it. And whatever unfolds for me, and the next moment, I'm just gonna go with it.
-Shaté Hayes
“I think that a lot of times we think our purpose, and how we make money are one in the same. And so I think sometimes people struggle to figure out what their purpose is, because they're trying to figure out how to monetize it.”
- Flojaune Griffin Cofer
“I also believe that there is abundance that is not financial, there is an abundance of peace and joy, and love and hope and laughter, and all of those things.”
-Shaté Hayes
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:
Policy at Public Health Advocates
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
The Year of Yes- Shonda Rhimes
Sacramento Sister Circle in Facebook
Black Women Organized for Political Action
CHECK IN WITH SCOTT AND SHATÉ:
Spotify Playlist - Music for this moment.
Follow @iamshate on Instagram
Follow @scotthayes_lcsw on Instagram
ABOUT FLOJAUNE COFER, PhD, MPH
Flojaune Griffin Cofer is an epidemiologist who serves as the Senior Director of Policy for Public Health Advocates. She manages a team of staff leading health equity initiatives focused on California state policy, boys and men of color (My Brother's Keeper), community-based 911 response (First Response Transformation), transgender health (California TRANScends), youth trauma prevention in cities (All Children Thrive), and student wellness in Boyle Heights (Building Healthy Communities). Her professional interest is addressing emerging and persistent public health challenges through research, policy, and community engagement. Her work primarily focuses on public health prevention and restorative justice.
Prior to joining Public Health Advocates, she led the preconception health initiative for the California Department of Public Health. Flojaune received Bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Women's Studies from Spelman College. Her public health training was at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health where she earned a Master’s in Public Health and doctorate in epidemiology. She is an alumna of California Epidemiologic Investigation Service and the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program.
Flojaune is deeply committed to civic engagement having served in various capacities on local boards, committees and commissions, including the Active Transportation Commission, Mayors' Commission on Climate Change, Sheriff's Outreach Community Advisory Board, Board of Directors for Girl Scouts Heart of Central California, and chairing the City of Sacramento Measure U Sales Tax Community Oversight Committee. She also co-hosts a local political podcast, Voices: River City. For her professional contributions and community participation she was awarded the Young Professional of the Year Award by the Sacramento Urban League, the Exceptional Woman of Color Award by the Sacramento Cultural Hub, and the 40 Under 40 Award by the Sacramento Business Journal.
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