In December of 2005, I moved to the Northern Neck with my husband Lawrence because of its location between three great bodies of water and for the rural peace. We didn’t know anyone but loved the way people would wave and speak. I was discovered by Pastor Kenneth Roland, who was then, pastor of Macedonia Baptist Church in Heathsville. He asked me to gather data on the health risks and outcomes for the Northern Neck. What I discovered was troubling and painful – the area’s health outcomes for cancer and cardiovascular disease were the lowest in the state. We mobilized the churches and their congregants to engage with Black residents and worked collaboratively to seek outside partners, funding and resources.