Key Takeaways 1. Political interference is silencing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) research, threatening the integrity and independence of science. 2. Abrupt funding cuts and opaque editorial decisions deepen inequities in academia and erode community trust in research. 3. Without bold, collective action, we risk widening the gaps in an already fragile academic pipeline — especially for scholars and communities historically excluded from science.

A personal reflection on how one NIH grant became the foundation for a research lab focused on health equity, mentorship, and community. Grounded in lived experience, this blog explores why listening, representation, and research funding are essential to advancing justice in health care.