University of Pittsburgh graduate student Marcus Poindexter did not know he was going to get involved in the field of social work. What he did know was that he wanted to connect people to services, advocate for people who were voiceless-and make it his passion to help people who others consider irreparable or replaceable.
Marcus is currently a graduate student at the University of Pittsburgh completing a master’s in public health while while simultaneously working on a PhD in Social Work. By the end of his doctorate, Marcus hopes to help local community members navigate through the health care system and connect them to resources they need in order to maintain good health.
He currently works with the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health as a researcher on two projects-the POWER initiative and the Violence Prevention Program. The POWER initiative aims to lower the transmission of HIV in African American males, while the Violence Prevention Program aspires to lower incidences of gun violence that occur in at-risk, vulnerable communities throughout Allegheny County. Further, he is heavily involved in the Bible Center in Homewood, which keeps kids immersed in education after school and on weekends.
Marcus believes the POWER initiative and the Violence Prevention Program are the first stepping stones to making a larger impact on his neighborhood of Homewood, where he grew up seeing the problems his family and neighbors faced.
Previously, Marcus worked with the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh, where he served as a health advocate helping community members overcome long-held negative opinions regarding health research studies and educating them to make better health choices. He knows that in order to advance health research in minority populations, participation in health research studies is critical. Marcus is combining his education in public health and social work to overcome these barriers to good health.
Jennifer Jones, who nominated Marcus for the Dignity & Respect Champion award, said, “he has a passion for this city, and works diligently at eliminating health disparities and connecting persons with healthcare and resources…he has such a heart for people-anyone that knows Marcus will be able to tell you that.”
To him, life could be so much better if he learned how to motivate others to transform themselves for the greater good of their community. He wants to understand their struggles, help fight their battles, and be with them through their hardship-to be the example he wants to see in Homewood so he can show “younger folks” that working hard and being a good neighbor is vital to the fabric that Homewood was built on.
“There’s no other way to be-everyone deserves to be treated with dignity because they are human, despite whatever differences lie between us,” said Marcus. “People deserve respect because they were created to be our brothers and sisters and assist us in our life journey. They add color to our otherwise lifeless world.”
Nominate a Champion
Do you know an individual who makes a positive impact and promotes an environment of inclusion? If so, nominate the person in your life you feel has made a difference for the Dignity & Respect Champion Award! This prestigious award recognizes people who are engaged in their communities, live by the principles of dignity and respect, and promote an environment of inclusion.
https://www.surveymonkey.co/s/L2YHWGZ?utm_source=September+2014+Champion+%26+Newsletter&utm_campaign=July+Champion&utm_medium=email
The Dignity & Respect Campaign is an awareness campaign designed to join individuals, community leaders, community organizations, educational institutions, businesses, and corporations under the common notion that everyone deserves dignity and respect. What started in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a local community effort, has now become a national initiative dedicated to driving inclusion and promoting campaign launch efforts in every major city in the U.S.
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