Since 1976, National Black History Month has had an endorsed theme as a part of the celebration. For 2022, the theme is “Black Health and Wellness.” This month’s spotlight features a small group of Black GDS Alumni who have dedicated their lives helping others through careers in these areas. 

Introducing...Dr. Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, PhD ’01

Dr. Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, PhD ’01 is Director of Behavioral Health at the Council of State Governments (CSG) Justice Center, an organization dedicated to addressing how we shrink the size of the criminal justice system.

Ayesha knew that she was interested in a career where the work could improve people’s lives and support the health and well-being of people of color. She wanted to have an impact in a way that felt meaningful to how people live their lives. Her current job explores the question, “How do you shrink the size of the criminal justice system?” In Ayesha’s view, exposure to the criminal justice system affects health and wellness.

Ayesha believes that GDS’s foundation of service and the “ethos of the School”—changing the world around you for the better—influenced her career trajectory. In High School, she took her first psychology class with Bobby Asher. She explained how the class opened her eyes to the study of understanding human interaction. Bill Wallace, Ayesha's biology teacher, helped her secure her first internship at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

“Without that earlier exposure, I don’t know how my career would have gone,” Ayesha added.

Additionally, Ayesha credits her former teacher Janet Hahn with teaching her how to write, something that she considers very important to her area of work. “Being able to communicate and persuade people in writing is very important to what I do [in reforming the criminal justice system].”

Learn more about the CSG Justice Center.