Today we’d like to introduce you to Ladrea Williams-Briggs.
Hi Ladrea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Columbia, South Carolina. I’ve built my life, work, and my family right here in this state. I was raised by a community of strong, fearless Black women who taught me to trust God, speak up, and to never shrink myself. I’m the oldest of two, with a twelve-year age gap between my little brother and I. That dynamic has shaped a lot of who I am. Being so far apart in age made me the ultimate big sister: a protector, a provider, and a natural fixer.
For undergrad, I studied Food Science and Human Nutrition at Clemson University, where I also met my husband and began noticing the deep disparities in health outcomes across South Carolina—especially in rural areas like his hometown in the Pee Dee region. After undergrad, while working with the WIC program, I saw how families were constantly asked to make impossible choices like paying for groceries or electricity. That led me to pursue a master’s in health promotion and later a Doctor of Public Health, where I focused my research on disparities in maternal mortality and morbidity.
Professionally, I’ve helped launch local initiatives to address social barriers to good health and oversaw nationally funded outreach and research efforts at South Carolina’s largest federally qualified health center. Most recently, I led the formation of a statewide collaborative bringing together over 80 professionals from clinical, community, and public sectors to develop innovative, equity-driven solutions to maternal health problems. In 2018, when wrote my master’s thesis on preeclampsia awareness and started a small, social media campaign to reach Black women, I didn’t know it would become my life’s work.
In 2022, during my own pregnancy, I developed HELLP Syndrome—a dangerous complication that can shut down your liver and cause your organs to fail. My daughter was born five weeks early, weighing just 3.5 pounds. That experience changed everything for me and gave new purpose to everything I’d built. Today, that small, online campaign has become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on community-based maternal health education and I am the proud mother of a beautiful baby girl who is just as fearless and headstrong as the women who raised me.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
HA! A smooth road? That’s funny. Absolutely not.
Career-wise, it’s been tough. Being a Black woman in the South—especially in public health spaces—means constantly navigating systems that weren’t built with you in mind. I’ve often been the only Black woman in the room, carrying the weight of both representation and resistance. There’s a constant tension between self-preservation and social responsibility.
One of the hardest parts is advocating for Black women while pushing back against the idea that we’re all the same. We are NOT a monolith. We are layered, nuanced, and powerful in different ways, and all versions of us are valid and worthy. Making space for that truth while doing the work is challenging.
On top of that, I earned my doctorate while working full time, launching a nonprofit, and navigating a high-risk pregnancy that nearly took my life and postpartum. Who does that?! Apparently, I do! And I don’t say that to impress anyone—I say it because I want other women to know it’s possible. Not easy, but possible.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
#NotUsSC is a community-based organization working to improve maternal health outcomes by providing culturally relevant education for Black women, their support networks, and the community. We create trusted, easy-to-understand materials—like brochures, posters, and community guides—that reflect real experiences while promoting evidence-based care.
According to the 2024 South Carolina Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee’s Legislative Brief, Black women in SC are four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes. Most of these deaths are preventable, and the majority occur in the postpartum period. Women in rural counties are also more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications due to gaps in access and care. #NotUsSC responds to these realities with education that is not only medically accurate but also culturally grounded and community-driven.
What sets us apart is our deep connection to community and culture. Our resources aren’t generic—they’re designed with and for the people who need them most, and distributed in trusted spaces. We’ve created tools like “You Good, Sis?: A Supportive Guide to Pregnancy and Postpartum Mental Health”, “Girl Dad 101: A Guide for Black Dads”, and “Becoming an Auntie: What Every Sister, Cousin, or Best Friend Should Know About Pregnancy and Postpartum”, which speak directly to the roles and relationships that shape Black families.
We’ve also created the Real Faces Image Bank, a growing collection of authentic, community-sourced visuals that offer a much-needed alternative to generic stock photography. All our materials are reviewed by a Materials Review Committee, which includes clinicians, birth workers, and people with lived experience to ensure everything is medically accurate, culturally grounded, and aligned with best practices.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of how much trust we’ve built by being real, accessible, and committed. Our brand is rooted in lived experience and the belief that education should affirm and empower, not shame. We want readers to know that #NotUsSC isn’t just another organization talking about the problem—we’re building real tools to help prevent it. Because no one should die giving life. Not me. Not her. Not us. Not anymore.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Whew—that’s a loaded question! Here’s what I’d say: be authentic, whatever that looks like for you. One of my favorite quotes is, “A true leader knows that sometimes you have to step outside the box—and other times, you have to blow the box up.” I’ve never been afraid to blow up the box.
Say the thing. Submit the application. Ask the question. Get the degree. Post the content. Do the things—and do it your way. You don’t have to shrink or conform to be successful. There’s always a way to honor your identity, voice, and values while navigating the unjust systems around you. If you’re warm and bubbly—be that. If you’re serious and steady—own that. Don’t force yourself into someone else’s mold. It might not go exactly how you planned, and yes, it can be scary. But it’s worth it. Just start. Show up. Blow up the box.
Also, build your team. God didn’t create us to do life alone. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and you won’t be great at everything. Don’t be afraid to admit what you don’t know or where you struggle—and then find people who excel in those areas. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://notussc.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/notussc/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/notussouthcarolina
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ladrea-s-w-2a6581138/
