We Got Us

Dr. Nolen founded We Got Us, a grassroots coalition of young people that combats racism by increasing access to equitable healthcare and community-centred health education.

We Got Us began in 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when Dr. Nolen was a second-year student at Harvard Medical School. Upon the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccines, she decided to create a safe space where Black and Brown community members, students, and healthcare professionals could provide education about vaccination, medical racism, and inequities in healthcare. The coalition later expanded to provide holistic healing clinics offering acupuncture, acupressure, reiki, and sound healing to historically marginalised communities in Boston.

The coalition provided vaccine education to 7,300 people, helping prevent an estimated 1,291 COVID-19 infections among individuals who otherwise may not have been vaccinated. In addition, the coalition distributed 4,800 units of personal protective equipment (PPE), preventing an estimated 38 COVID-19 infections among healthcare workers. Finally, We Got Us reached 170 community members through its holistic healing clinics, which are run by healers of colour. Alongside her work with We Got Us, Dr. Nolen is the first Black woman to become Class President of Harvard Medical School and is currently a Resident Physician at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.

While attending the 2024 Summit in Montréal, Dr. Nolen was interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, where she talked about her daily work, her journey to a career in medicine, and her desire to see equity in healthcare throughout the United States. After the Summit, her commentary on healthcare access was featured in a variety of other international publications. Dr. Nolen’s reflections on racial justice and health equity were also shared on One Young World social media channels. 

“For me, it’s always important to be a global citizen and provide real, accurate representation of what’s happening. One Young World opened that door for me and it was great to be able to serve in that role.”