Brianna is a Wilmington, North Carolina native and a graduate of the University of North Carolina Wilmington, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health, with a concentration in Community Health Education, and minoring in Leadership Studies. During her time at UNCW, Brianna served as a peer educator in the Health Promotion office, educating fellow students on crucial public health topics, including sleep hygiene, nutrition, sexual health, and alcohol and other drug safety. In her final semester, she undertook a full-time internship within the office, where she supported the supervision of undergraduate peer educators and assisted professional staff with programming initiatives. Also during college, recognizing the significant issue of food insecurity affecting approximately 14% of peers on UNCW’s campus,
Brianna started working with Hawk’s Harvest, a vital food pantry on campus that provides food to students. In this role, she helped manage the operations of the pantry’s new location, facilitated shopping hours for students, and ensured the efficient transport and restocking of food items, reinforcing her dedication to fostering a healthier community. Her deep-rooted connection to the community has instilled a profound understanding of the challenges posed by food deserts in the region. This awareness drives her commitment to the mission of Feast Down East, advocating for equitable access to fresh food for all.