Voices of Inclusive Research
Voices of Inclusive Research is a podcast dedicated to exploring the diverse and dynamic world of inclusive research. Each episode features thought leaders, community members and advocates who we welcome to share their questions, concerns, insights, lived experiences and groundbreaking work. Our mission is to give the community a voice in clinical research. We aim to inspire and inform by highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusivity in clinical research.
Voices of Inclusive Research
Brain Health and Lupus: Centering Communities in Research
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“We are not bystanders, we are participants. We are partners and leaders in this space.” – Dr. Renarda Jones
In this solo episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, I open up about why this work matters and why health equity must stay at the heart of clinical research.
I share why brain health and lupus, conditions that deeply impact communities of color, aren’t just medical terms, but lived experiences for families and caregivers.
Even with challenges like limited funding and pushback, we at Diverse Research Now keep pressing forward with community events, partnerships, and advocacy—because no one should be left out of the science that shapes our future.
🎧 Tune in to hear why this work is about equity, hope, and building healthier futures together.
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
- Why Brain Health Matters – Dementia and memory loss impact not just individuals, but entire families and communities. Education and awareness are essential for prevention and support.
- Lupus in Focus – Often misunderstood, often misdiagnosed, and disproportionately affecting Black women—lupus requires more resources, visibility, and research equity.
- Health Equity at the Core – Diversity and inclusion are part of the mission, but the bigger picture is ensuring everyone has access to the best science, care, and opportunities—no matter who they are or where they live.
- The Call to Action – From community events like Chow & Chat to partnerships with churches, workplaces, and researchers, real impact happens when everyone shows up and works together.
- Commitment Despite Challenges – The mission continues: standing with communities and building a healthier, more equitable future.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
- We are not bystanders, we are participants. We are partners and leaders in this space.” – Dr. Renarda Jones
- “Health equity means no matter where you live, what you look like or what your income is, you should have access to the very best science, the very best care, and the very best opportunities to live a healthy life.” – Dr. Renarda Jones
- “This work is about families, about stories, and about building a future rooted in equity and health and hope.” – Dr. Renarda Jones
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We Want to Hear Your Voice!
Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Renarda Jones: Hi everyone. Welcome to another episode of Voices of Inclusive Research Podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Ren, and today is just me and you. I wanted to take a little time to talk about why I do the work I do and why it matters and how we can keep moving forward together. You already know. this isn't about throwing science at you.
This is about real life, our families, our communities, and our future at diverse research. Now, our mission is pretty simple. It's to make sure our communities, especially communities of color, are not left out of the research that shapes our health. We are not bystanders, we are participants. We are partners and leaders in this space.
And so right now our focus is on two key areas, brain health and lupus. And both conditions are impacting our communities in serious ways, and both deserve more attention, more resources, and more education. And that's exactly what we're working to provide. Brain health matters because it's tied to how we live, how we age, and how we care for ourselves and each other.
Dementia and memory loss, don't just touch individuals. I mean, it's touching the entire family. Same for lupus. Lupus matters because it's often misunderstood and often misdiagnosed, and it disproportionately affects black women. That means we cannot afford to ignore it. Research, education, and awareness are how we change that.
Now, I want to be clear. This isn't only about diversity and inclusivity. Those are important, but what we're really talking about is health equity. Health equity means no matter where you live, what you look like or what your income is, you should have access to the very best science, the very best care, and the very best opportunities to live a healthy life.
Yes. Funding is tight right now. Yes, there's been pushback on diversity in research, but our commitment doesn't stop because the road gets harder. We are still here. We are still building, and we are still dedicated to standing with our communities. So what does this mean for you? It could mean showing up at one of our community events, our chow and Chad.
It could mean sharing this podcast with someone who needs it. It could mean inviting us into your church, your group, your workplace, so more people can be a part of the conversation. And if you're a part of the research world. Whether you are a scientist or a sponsor or organization looking to reach real people.
We'd like to connect with you, so let's work together to make research meaningful for the communities it's supposed to serve. And as we move forward in brain health and in lupus and in anything else that we take on, we will keep this at the center. This work is about families. About stories and about building a future rooted in equity and help and hope So, thank you for being part of this journey and into next time, keep your mind open, your body strong, and your heart ready to grow.
