Dr. MeridithMerchant is an advocate, consultant, speaker, and licensed psychologist (multicultural community clinical emphasis). She serves as the Assistant Director of Mental Health Initiatives and Inclusion at UC Santa Barbara Counseling and Psychological Services(CAPS). She also serves as a faculty advisor, Community Health Advocate and Interprofessional Education trainer with iDREAM for Racial Health Equity, focused on health equity and shaping the next generation of medical providers, health advocates and helping professionals. As a former member of the California Department of Public Health's Maternal, Child and Adolescent Division's CA Community Birth Plan Task Force, Dr. Meridith gives voice to health disparities among Black women and she is an active memberof Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. Through her community commitments, personal and professional endeavors, and as a celebrated leader at UCSB, Dr. Meridith continues to use her personal maternal trauma as inspiration and fuel for her passion to increaseawareness and activism toward equity, empowered health and wholeness for all.