Mina Mohammed Spring 2026 Fellowship Experience

   This past spring, I had the pleasure of working with The Body Agency Collective through my MCH Center of Excellence Fellowship. My role was primarily communications-focused, and I had the opportunity to work with both the HIV/AIDS and Gender-Based Violence teams. I created social media content and blog posts, while also learning how to adapt public health information for different audiences and platforms. Working with both groups also gave me the opportunity to deepen my understanding of HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. Being exposed to these two areas of public health broadened my perspective and helped me become a more well-rounded public health practitioner. Through this work, I also learned the importance of knowing your audience and making sure that health messaging is accessible, engaging, and relevant to the communities it is meant to serve. 
             Working alongside the other fellows and learning from Alison and Kate was an incredibly eye-opening experience. They encouraged us to take ownership of our work while also challenging us to think more critically about public health communication and the nonprofit space. One experience that particularly stood out to me was joining a call with one of The Body Agency’s partners, Kasha, at midnight because of the time difference. Being a part of the call allowed me to see firsthand how nonprofit organizations collaborate with partners across different countries and communities. It also reminded me that so much of this work happens through relationships, communication, and a willingness to meet people where they are.
                My experience with The Body Agency extended into the summer, when I had the opportunity to support research for a new program focused on helping social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders grow their organizations and impact, particularly young women working across different fields, including public health. This experience allowed me to explore another side of nonprofit work, including identifying potential funding opportunities and thinking about how organizations can build the resources needed to turn new ideas into sustainable programs.
            Overall, my time with The Body Agency taught me so much about public health communications, nonprofit organizations, and collaborating with diverse partners. I am incredibly grateful to Alison, Kate, the other fellows, and the MCH Center of Excellence for providing me with this opportunity. The skills and perspective I gained through this experience will continue to shape how I approach public health work and communication as I move forward in my career.