Our Team
Joya Hampton-Anderson, PhD
Director & Principal Investigator
Dr. Hampton-Anderson is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine. Her program of research aims to understand the sociocultural determinants of health disparities and integrated health outcomes in youth and families, with a particular interest in childhood adversity and chronic stress. She is also interested in risk and protective factors that influence mental and physical health diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment with a specific interest in culturally competent clinical practice and research.
Troy Maxwell
Project Coordinator
Troy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology, graduating summa cum laude, from Tuskegee University. Troy's research interests are centered around investigating racial socialization processes and internalizing disorders in racially and ethnically-minoritized youth. She plans to pursue a PhD in clinical psychology to further her research and clinical training. Outside of her work in the lab, Troy enjoys composing playlists, attending concerts, and watching films and television with analytical eyes.
Eukirah Pennyman, MSW
Social Worker & Director of Community Outreach
Eukirah holds a bachelor's degree in communications from Tennessee State University and a Master of Social Work in health and mental health from Clark Atlanta University. She serves as a social worker and primarily works in criminal justice policy and research enhancing strategies through evidence-based decision-making. Her interests include producing data-driven and culturally competent clinical research regarding at-risk youth's accessibility and comfortability to mental health resources with regard to socio-economical and cultural risks. Her research interests support her ongoing pursuit of providing holistic, trauma-informed clinical treatment for youth. Outside of work, Eukirah enjoys cooking and traveling, and with a background in film and communications, she also enjoys watching various documentaries.
Akina Griffin, MSW
Social Worker & Director of Youth Outreach
Akina earned his Bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College and earned his Master of Social Work degree from the University of Georgia. His interests include reducing stigmas within African American communities with a primary focus on providing mental health and wellness services to children, adolescents, and their families. He specializes in using Cognitive Behavioral, Dialectical Behavioral, Client-centered and Solution-focused therapeutic approaches. Akina is also interested in researching the impact of adverse childhood experiences (ACES) on individuals and helping them find healthy alternatives to live more fulfilling lives. He enjoys traveling, spending time with loved ones, and attending music concerts in his free time.
Our Affiliates
Casey Philip Wong, PhD
Dr. Wong is an Assistant Professor of Social Foundations of Education in the Department of Educational Policy Studies at Georgia State University.
Tyler Perry, MD, MPH
Dr. Perry is a psychiatry resident in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine.
