Joy Mirjahangiris a public health professional with over 12 years of experience in the design and management of international health programs, primarily in HIV surveillance in Africa. In her current role, she is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to engage community members and community-based organizations (CBOs) in UPIEA’s COVID-19 response in San Francisco in order to provide culturally sensitive care that is responsive to the needs of communities most affected by COVID-19. She also works as a teamlead and trainer on UPIEA’s San Francisco contact-tracing team. As an early member of the contact tracing team, Joy was struck by how disadvantaged communities of color and other marginalized populations were disproportionately affected by COVID-19, and was inspired to help figure out how best to connect these communities to the information, resources and care they need to stay healthy and safe.