Yvonka Marie Hall, MPA, RA, CTTS, GRMS

Executive Director

 

Yvonka M. Hall, MPA is a prominent community leader in Cleveland and serves on numerous boards and committees. She is currently Executive Director at Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition. She holds a BA in Political Science from Notre Dame College and an MPA from Texas Southern University.

 

Recently, she was recognized by the both the Ohio Senate and House and the United States Congress for her work in the African-American community. During the 2016 primary Yvonka served as a field organizer for the Bernie Sanders Presidential Campaign and is an elected officials representing Cleveland Ward 1 Precinct N for the Cuyahoga County Democratic Party.

 

The 1974 murder of her mother Yvonne Boston Hall dramatically changed her life; her childhood promise to use her life to help others has lead to the creation of cutting edge programs and impacted thousands of people’s lives. 

 

She is a proud graduate of John Marshall High School in Cleveland, Ohio and a 2019 inductee into the Alumni Hall of Fame. She was recently named a Black Woman Green Future Honoree for her environmental justice work. Last year the Cleveland Plain Dealer named her the HomeGrown Hero for her work addressing food insecurity. The National Association of Social Workers Ohio Chapter recently named her the Region 3 Community Member of the Year. In 2021 she was named 100 Women to Know in America.

 

She is a mother, grandmother deeply impassioned and involved in social justice activities locally and nationally for three decades. Her efforts will save many children from the lifelong impact of lead poisoning. 

 

She is an activist, leader, influencer, humanitarian, speaker, researcher and philanthropist. 

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Lashale Pugh, PhD, MS, BA, BS

Asst. Executive Director

Research and Evaluation Director

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Dr. Pugh was born in Youngstown, Ohio and grew up in Chicago, Illinois. She returned to Youngstown to attend Youngstown State University at age 35, majoring in Biology and Geography. Dr. Pugh was educated in Chicago Public schools for elementary and Elizabeth Seton High School in South Holland, Illinois. She received her Bachelors’ (‘00) in Biology and Geography and Masters (’02) in Biology from Youngstown State University and later attended the University of Maryland – College Park where she received her PhD in Geography (’09). Her interest in wildlife was influenced by Jack Hanna, Steve Irwin, and an interest in crows and led to her research of public health issues, by connecting an interest in wildlife to human health outcomes during the first outbreak of West Nile Virus. 

Presenting to audiences nationally, she highlights factors resulting in disparities in health outcomes, community-level health and disease patterns, and food justice issues. Pugh’s article, “Geographic Patterns of Years of Potential Life Lost (YPLL) for Mahoning County, Ohio Census Tracts 2010,” was published in Papers in Applied Geography in 2016. Her commitment to community service is demonstrated through her involvement with community organizations including the Youngstown Office on Minority Health, Hope Community Services, Goodness Grows (agricultural outreach), Mahoning Valley African American Male Wellness Walk Initiative, ACTION, the Healthy Food Partnership and The Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition. 

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Dr. Pugh’s awards include the Healthy Hero Award from The African American Male Wellness Walk committee in 2013, the David T. Stephens Alumni of the Year Award from Youngstown State University Geography Department in 2010, Early Career Faculty Workshop StipendCollege of William and Mary, 2010 and was listed in the 2001 edition of Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. During the summer of 2000, she was awarded a Fellowship by the Greater Akron Audubon Society ($1000), a Research Travel Grant from the American Association of University Women ($250) to present her research results at a conference in Newfoundlandand in 2002 she received a Doctoral fellowship to attend the University of Maryland at College Park.

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Dr. Pugh is also an entrepreneur and began production of Dr. Shale’s Mango Salsa in 2017 to share her passion for food and creativity. In October, 2020 Dr. Pugh began teaching a virtual cooking class for the Seniors Offering Service program offered through ACTION, MYCAP and Christ Centered Church in Youngstown. The classes provide her the opportunity to share her own recipes while helping the participants stay connected and active during the pandemic. Her hobbies include reading, crafting, sewing, cooking and birdwatching. Dr. Pugh resides in Campbell, Ohio with her daughter, grandchildren, and Tank, the family dog. 

 

Zachary Williams, PhD.

Health Equity Director

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Samario Ford

Environmental Justice and Activities Coordinator

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Michelle Hall

Community Engagement Coordinator

 

Michelle was born in Cleveland Ohio and grew up in Tuskegee Alabama. Michelle returned to Cleveland at the age of 14. Michelle was educated in Cleveland Public schools for Jr. High school FDR and Highschool Lincoln West. Michelle received her college  degree at Bryant & Stratton. Michelle started her
work in the community engagement back in 2005 where she worked as a Neighborhood Navigator to improve the health of Cuyahoga County residents. Michelle was on the board with First Year Cleveland {FYC} when it was organized in 2015. Michelle was in a documentary called One life back in 2016. One
life documentary explores root causes of Ohio alarmingly high infant mortality rates. She is proud Auntie to 16 nieces and nephews. She attends Holy Trinity COGIC where she goes out to shelters and serve food for the homeless and help bring awareness for Social Justice. Michelle hubbies is painting, cooking, gardening, and crocheting.

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Kayla M. Boston

Administrative Coordinator

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Kayla M. Boston is currently Administrative Coordinator for the Northeast Ohio Black Health Coalition. She is currently a student at Cuyahoga Community College working on her degree in health information management. She is the proud mother of three.