I’m Ede Taylor-Crittle, also known as “The Community Lady.” With over 20 years of experience in community engagement, program design, volunteer management, and building partnerships, I’m passionate about connecting people, organizations, and resources to make a real difference. My goal is to help create partnerships that bring out the best in everyone involved, using our collective talents, skills, and interests to drive positive change.
In 2011, I had the chance to work at Johns Hopkins' Office of Community Health, where I helped build strong relationships between community partners, healthcare professionals, and researchers. This experience made me realize how important it is to have genuine, collaborative relationships that can lead to real health and wellness improvements. That’s why I launched the Healthy Communities Coalition (HCC) — to help grassroots organizations better engage with academic research and use it to make their work even more impactful. My mission is to ensure that communities have a seat at the table and are empowered to make decisions that directly affect them.
In 2024, I kicked off the Beyond the Gift Card Community Conversations series, which has since grown into Meet and Greets. This project is a personal passion of mine — it’s all about bringing community- and faith-based organizations together with researchers to foster collaboration and meaningful conversations. I’m proud to say this work continues today, and I serve as a volunteer because I truly believe in the power of community-driven research and equitable partnerships.
My journey in community work really started in 2010 when I joined a Community Advisory Board at Johns Hopkins. While I wasn’t initially impressed by the experience, it lit a fire in me to create spaces where communities can have a real voice in shaping the future. That led me to my work at the Office of Community Health and later to everything I’ve done with HCC.
I’m also incredibly proud of receiving the Johns Hopkins Martin Luther King, Jr. Award and of completing nonprofit management certifications from the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. I’ve had the privilege of serving as a Merit Reviewer for both PCORI and Northwestern University’s ARCC.
I live on the south side of Chicago with my wonderful husband, and I continue working every day to build healthier, more equitable communities.
