Deven Brown: Bridging Health Equity and Community with Passion and Purpose 

In the world of health equity, ensuring that research reflects and serves the needs of the community is critical. For Deven Brown, MPA, a Research Program Manager at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Equity (CHE), this mission is at the heart of her work. Brown’s role is not just about overseeing projects; it’s about making sure that community voices are heard and that efforts to support health equity remain deeply rooted in the realities of the people the CHE aims to serve. 

Brown’s path to CHE was shaped by a passion for community engagement rather than a traditional background in public health research. “I have a background in business for undergrad and then did a master's in public administration,” says Brown. “So, I don’t have a technical research background; however, during high school and college, I completed different internships in the field of public health.” 

This exposure to public health, combined with a strong commitment to serving Baltimore communities, led Brown to find work that aligned with her values. “I’ve always been passionate about community,” she says. “Even in my spare time, I used to co-lead an initiative called “Fuel the Kids,” where we highlighted the importance of representation by hosting back to school events in the community, volunteering in Baltimore City schools and placing books in their libraries that reflected the students.” 

This early commitment to representation and mentorship carried over into her professional career, where she has continued to work at the intersection of community advocacy and health equity research. 

Brown plays a key role in CHE’s partner engagement efforts. “A huge part of my role involves working with community partners,” she says. “It gives you a real perspective—actually hearing from people, getting their feedback and input, and then incorporating that into what we do.” 

She emphasized that engagement isn’t just about gathering opinions but rather ensuring that community perspectives shape research in meaningful ways. “We want to ensure that our goals, values, and research align with the needs of the community." 

Reflecting on her time at CHE, Brown pointed to several moments that have stood out in her career. One particularly meaningful experience came before the COVID-19 pandemic when she attended the Sisters Together and Reaching community festival at Eager Park. “I remember working the tables, giving information about the center, and talking to people interested in joining the CHE Community Advisory Board (CAB),” she says. “It’s really cool to see that some of those same people are still active members today.” 

Another milestone was presenting at the 2024 Health Equity Action Network (HEAN) Conference in San Francisco , alongside her colleague Chidinma Ibe, PhD. “I was a bit nervous, but I was proud of myself,” Brown said. Their presentation focused on the work of bell hooks and the role of love in public health. “[hooks] emphasized the importance of leading with love and how that should be the driving force behind our work. If we really led with that, we wouldn’t be dealing with so many of the challenges we see today.” 

 “A huge part of my role involves working with community partners. It gives you a real perspective—actually hearing from people, getting their feedback and input, and then incorporating that into what we do.” 

As Brown continues her work at CHE, her focus remains to ensure that health equity research stays connected and aligned with the needs of the community. “It’s rewarding to work in an environment committed to addressing inequities,” she reflects. “Hearing directly from the community and incorporating their insights into research makes the work meaningful.” 

Looking ahead, Brown remains dedicated to fostering meaningful connections, embracing a spirit of gratitude, and learning from both her colleagues and the Center’s community partners. Her work continues to emphasize collaboration, representation, and a commitment to equity. As she puts it, “If we’re not truly engaging with the people our work is geared towards, then what are we really doing? I don’t take it lightly to have the opportunity to work in this space.”