Shalon Irving
Epidemiologist, maternal health equity advocate, founder of Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Dr. Shalon Irving is a distinguished epidemiologist and public health researcher who has dedicated her career to understanding and addressing health inequities, particularly in maternal and reproductive health among Black Americans. She earned her doctorate in epidemiology and has held senior positions at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), where she conducted groundbreaking research on maternal mortality and health disparities. Irving is the founder and executive director of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, an organization dedicated to centering Black maternal health and reproductive justice. Her work has been instrumental in bringing national attention to the crisis of maternal mortality in the United States, particularly the disproportionate rates affecting Black women. Through her research, advocacy, and community organizing, Irving has become a leading voice in the movement for maternal health equity and has influenced policy discussions at local, state, and federal levels. Her commitment to social justice and public health has made her a respected figure in epidemiology and a champion for vulnerable populations.
Science & Technology
American
1982
Thinking about the name
Shalon
Hebrew origin
“A simplified variant of Shalom with the -on ending, which appears across many language traditions and often carries masculine associations. Shalon maintains the peaceful essence of Shalom while offering a more modern, streamlined appearance. The name works as both a tribute to and reimagining of the Hebrew original.”