As Director of Community Engagement and Youth Leadership at Community Food Advocates, Anna Lilia is charged with developing and coaching young people to become leaders in their own community. ​Anna Lilia holds a Master of Public Health from Columbia University-Mailman School of Public Health with a focus on social determinants of health and health disparities. She received her undergraduate degree in Sociology from San Diego State University. Anna Lilia resides in Harlem.

What attracted you to Community Food Advocates?

I have always wanted to be an educator. I was a paraprofessional as an undergrad and started my career as a middle school teacher in the Bronx. Students came to school with much bigger problems than what was happening in the classroom. My ability to help was limited. I went back to grad school to study public health to find a better way to impact my community. While conducting post-grad community-based research and clinical research, I was dissatisfied by the lack of regular contact with young people and the community. CFA provides the opportunity to work directly with young people and be an educator once again. At the same time our mission for high-impact policy change gives me the sense of fulfillment not only for our young people but for my whole community.

What achievement – professional or personal – are you most proud of?

I am most proud of my professional achievements when my work leaves long lasting impacts on the community. For example, I worked at Lincoln Hospital to build a partnership between its Cancer Center and a nonprofit organization to launch a weekly free exercise program for cancer patients. I ensured it was open to the entire hospital community. The patient navigator and I gathered data from patients to support the need, presented it to the leadership, and worked with the nonprofit to solidify the partnership. The program continues today.

What inspires you to strive for racial and identity justice?

I am the daughter of Mexican immigrants. During the first half of my life, I navigated the tightrope between Mexican pride and American assimilation. My family’s experience with injustices inspired me. I know what it’s like to live through indignities. No one deserves that treatment.

When you were a kid, what did you want to grow up to be?

I wanted to be a teacher! I loved learning and I loved teaching others what I learned. After learning essay structure or Algebra and Geometry, I came home eager to “play school” with my younger brother and cousins. I had a chalkboard for my lessons and made worksheets for them. I lined up desks and graded their papers. I definitely had more fun than they did!

What piece of advice would you give to your younger self?

You belong in these spaces. Even as recently as graduate school, the imposter syndrome was real. Don’t let systemic oppression and racism seep into your subconscious. You belong!