Clinical research holds the power to change the future of healthcare for communities of color—but it can't happen without your voice.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with Mary Futrell, a community leader and seasoned research participant, to discuss the significance of involving underserved populations in clinical studies.

Mary shares her experience in advocating for research in communities where access to healthcare and education is limited, but the need is great. She highlights the misconceptions and stigmas that often prevent participation, particularly in understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s.

She explains that by engaging in research, individuals help shape treatments and preventive measures for future generations, ensuring that healthcare becomes more inclusive and effective.

Building trust between researchers and communities is vital, and Mary emphasizes the power of relationship-building and word of mouth in encouraging more people to get involved.

Tune in to this episode and learn how you can be part of shaping a healthier, more inclusive future for all.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• The Power of Participation: Learn how community participation in clinical research helps shape future treatments and preventive measures for more inclusive healthcare.
• Breaking Misconceptions: Discover the common misconceptions and stigmas that often prevent people from getting involved in clinical studies, and how to overcome them.
• Preventive Research and Chronic Illness: Gain insights into the critical role of preventive research in addressing chronic illnesses like diabetes and dementia within communities of color.
• The Value of Health Education: Hear why educating yourself about health conditions and passing that knowledge to others is essential in empowering communities.
• Building Trust for Better Research: Know the importance of building trust between researchers and communities to foster more active involvement in clinical research.
• Word of Mouth as a Tool: Discover the power of word of mouth in encouraging others to participate in research and make a difference.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “If a cure comes and you have not participated, they won't know about your race and it may not work perfectly.”— Mary Futrell
• “They might be stepping back if they don't step up.” — Mary Futrell
• “Even if the research doesn't help you, you have children and grandchildren that you should want to bring them to another level.” — Mary Futrell
• “If you don't give your voice, they're only going to hear everybody else's voice.” — Mary Futrell
• “Research is about fixing cracks.” — Mary Futrell
• “I started diverse research now to serve the community, to give them something back.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “We can't just go in and ask them to participate in things. We have to serve them and give them something.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “Building that relationship and not just talking about the research, because there's so many other things that's going on in their life.” — Dr. Renarda Jones

Follow Dr. Ren:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Research is the bridge that connects our past health disparities with a future of equitable solutions, but only if we choose to cross it together.

In this episode of Voices of Inclusive Research, Dr. Renarda Jones sits down with community member Joseph Frazier to discuss the critical role of clinical research in addressing health disparities in communities of color. 

Joseph shares his personal experience with vascular dementia in his family, highlighting how it has shaped his perspective on the importance of research. He opens up about the misconceptions many have, such as the fear of being a "guinea pig" in research, and how these beliefs often prevent people from seeking valuable health information.

The conversation also emphasizes the need to pass down health knowledge to future generations and advocates for greater participation in research as a pathway to better health outcomes for all.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Personal Health Journey: Hear Joseph Frazier's heartfelt story of how vascular dementia affected his family and how clinical research could provide valuable insights for prevention.
• Debunking Myths: The episode addresses common misconceptions, like the fear of being a "guinea pig" in clinical trials, and helps listeners understand the real purpose and benefits of research participation.
• Understanding Health Disparities: Learn how clinical trials play a vital role in addressing chronic diseases, like dementia and diabetes, which disproportionately affect Black communities.
• Empowerment Through Research: Discover how participating in clinical trials can empower individuals to contribute to solutions that improve the health of their communities.
• Generational Knowledge Sharing: Gain insights into the importance of passing down health knowledge to future generations, helping families make informed health decisions.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “It's important to understand some of the things that affect us more than it affects others.” — Joseph Frazier
• “A lot of the reasons that our community suffers is because we eat the same thing.” — Joseph Frazier
• “Maybe we expect people to give us something, but you have to want more for yourself.” — Joseph Frazier
• “How you live and how much stress you have in your life will affect how long and how well you live.” — Joseph Frazier
• “I want us to understand that, yes, you can ask someone for help, but you also have to follow up and do the work.” — Joseph Frazier
• “If you can be involved in the research, it could be valuable to you.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “Participating in research is not for everybody, but it is a way to address it.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “A lot of research is about preventive measures.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “We want to bring better health to our community. Better health is longer health.” — Dr. Renarda Jones
• “You need to pass that down to your children. And that is mostly why you would participate.” — Dr. Renarda Jones

Follow Dr. Ren:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Welcome to the Voices of Inclusive Research Podcast.

A space dedicated to bridging the gap between researchers and the community, ensuring all voices are heard, and fostering a more inclusive research landscape.

In our very first episode, Dr. Renarda Jones speaks directly to the community, emphasizing why research matters to everyone, not just scientists. She breaks down the barriers between research and everyday life, highlighting how inclusive research can lead to better health outcomes for all.

Dr. Jones calls on both the community and researchers to engage, build trust, and ensure that every voice is heard in the research that shapes our lives. She stresses that inclusive research isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s essential. Without it, we risk developing treatments and policies that fail to serve diverse populations.

This episode invites the listeners to stay curious, empowered, and engaged, reminding them that inclusive research is everyone’s business.

Tune in for more from both the community and researchers!

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• Inclusive Research is Essential: Research must include diverse populations to develop treatments and policies that effectively serve all communities. Without this inclusivity, there’s a risk of overlooking the needs of different groups.
• Breaking Down Barriers: The episode explains how research impacts daily life and how removing barriers between scientific research and the public can lead to better health outcomes for everyone.
• Historical Mistrust: Dr. Jones addresses the historical mistrust in research within certain communities, emphasizing the need for transparency and engagement to rebuild trust.
• Empowering Community Voices: Greater community involvement in research is crucial. Both community members and researchers need to work together to ensure that all voices are heard and valued in the research process.

Follow Dr. Ren:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!

Voices of Inclusive Research is a podcast dedicated to exploring the diverse and dynamic world of inclusive research. Each episode features thought leaders, community members and advocates who we welcome to share their questions, concerns,  insights, lived experiences and groundbreaking work. Our mission is to give the community a voice in clinical research.  We aim to inspire and inform by highlighting the importance of diversity and inclusivity in clinical research.

Follow Dr. Ren:

• Website
• Instagram
• LinkedIn

We Want to Hear Your Voice!

Your insights on how inclusive research impacts your life and community are invaluable. Share your experiences and thoughts on how we can bridge the gap between research and real-world needs. Your stories drive our mission and inspire the future of inclusive research!