The UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative is thrilled to announce that we have appointed our new Fresno Community Engagement Associate, Kendalyn Mack-Franklin. Kendalyn was most recently the Community Engagement Specialist for PTBi's Collective Impact effort in Fresno, The Fresno Preterm Birth Initiatve, which sunsetted in August of 2019.
In addition to her experience working with PTBi through Fresno PTBi, Kendalyn is currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at California State University, Fresno in an effort to publish a thesis on how Black Reparations can reduce preterm birth rates for the African American Black working women. Originally from Compton, California, Kendalyn resides in Fresno and is a new wife, sister, daughter and friend. During her undergraduate career, Kendalyn had the opportunity to study abroad and through that experience, she became a small business owner, distributing Shea Butter and Black Soap from Ghana.
The passing of Kendalyn’s father, Kenneth Mack, inspired her to pursue a career in public health and illuminated her purpose. Since then, she has been intentional about encouraging people to make healthy lifestyle decisions for mind, body and spirit.
Kendalyn in Ghana. Source: Kendalyn Mack Franklin
Kendalyn likes to read in her free time. Some of her favorite books are: Sacred Woman by Queen Afua, Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill and The Coldest Winter Ever by Sista Soulja. Kendalyn enjoys practicing yoga, meditating, journaling, traveling and going to concerts. She loves to cook and one of her favorite things to do is turn popular meat dishes into vegetarian dishes. Her love language is words of affirmation and she thrives in environments that support creativity, ambiguity, autonomy and personal and professional development. Kendalyn is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.
Kendalyn brings an impressive combination of passion, innovative thinking, deep commitment to the Fresno community, and positive energy to the table. We are so excited to have Kendalyn join our Fresno team as we continue in our commitment to furthering birth research while addressing and dismantling structural and interpersonal racism.
