Dr. Lewis received her Master of Science and Doctorate of Philosophy in Public Health, with a concentration in Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior from the Arnold School of Public Health at the University of South Carolina. As a scholar trained in the social and health sciences, Dr. Lewis draws extensively from critical race theory (CRT), sociological theories of race and racism, and a social determinants of health framework to help her gain a better understanding of how systems of power and oppression adversely impact mental health. Her research agenda uses mixed methods to gain a better understanding of how systems of power and oppression emerge in the lived experiences of Black emerging adults and impact their mental health and mental health help seeking behaviors. The overarching goal of her interdisciplinary and racial health equity focused research is to create interventions that reduce racial mental health disparities and increase mental health service utilization.