Dr. Nicole Ford

Associate Director, Participatory Action Research She/Her

Dr. Nicole Ford is the Associate Director of Participatory Action Research at Beloved. She is a public health researcher specializing in Black communities, mental health, youth, social justice, and health [in]equity. She has seven years of experience conducting research with a primary focus on participatory action research. She earned her PhD at the University of Louisville in Public Health, specializing in Health Promotion in Behavioral Sciences. Her dissertation explored the connection between anti-literacy laws and the bans on diversity, equity, and inclusion and the public health implications these bans could have on Black American college students. She earned her BS and MS at Texas A&M University, where her master’s is in Health Education with a certificate in Prevention Science. She has publications surrounding youth violence prevention and white supremacy

Nicole came to Beloved because of her passion for advancing Black, Hispanic, and marginalized communities. Nicole is based in Houston, and is from Dallas. She is grateful that most of her community resides in both places. She is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. In her free time, she enjoys listening to audiobooks and trying new vegetarian/vegan restaurants.