Aleshia Williams has been an intern through InterVarsity in Summer 2023. She is a rising third-year student at UVA, majoring in African and African American Studies. Over the last few months, she’s been able to engage on many priority VICPP programs. Check out her thoughts below!

In 2019, The Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy launched #PUSHbiaout, a maternal health campaign to help achieve the goal of eliminating racial disparities in maternal mortality. I have specifically had the opportunity to do further research on the issue and partner with Kathryn Haines, VICPP’s New Health Equity Manager to promote more information on the topic by developing logistical resources, along with sending out personalized emails and phone calls to inform important figures about our efforts.

Implicit Bias is the attitudes, behaviors, and actions that are prejudiced in favor of or against one person or group compared to another. Especially in the linking factor of race and ethnicity, people of color face an inadequate amount of disparity in terms of accessibility to health care. Nearly 32% of counties in Virginia are classified as maternal health care deserts.

This year’s election is important because all the seats in the legislator are up for grabs, and many people are not aware that state legislators tend to pass more laws than congress. With getting congregations to commit to 100% voting, this allows VICPP to partner with them to provide important information such as candidate forums, registration, homily support, and much more.

I have had the opportunity to pair up with two Staff at the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy. Sheila Heily Hennessee, Faith Organizer and Robert Lester, Civic Engagement Coordinator. With their guidance I was able to conduct research on the 2023 state candidates, develop resources, and I was offered the opportunity to reach out to Campaign managers to help construct a candidate forum.