Hello

I’m Kayla.

I used to be a Pre-K teacher. Can you believe it? I loved being a catalyst for children’s growth and development. But in February 2019, I was diagnosed with uterine cancer at age 24, and it shifted my life, and more specifically, my career. I pivoted from elementary education to marketing and eventually public health communications.

It turns out that teaching and public health communication aren't all that different. Both involve deconstructing complex ideas into digestible information that can be more easily understood and applied. Public health communication is an opportunity to listen for a need and a profound moment to deliver a present and empathetic response. I am frequently entrusted with beautiful stories I've not heard before by connecting with people from all walks of life, and it honors me to spread life-changing, inclusive, culturally competent messaging that has lasting, generational impact. Think of me as your public health auntie or cousin.

I work with non-profit organizations, startups, and boutique agencies to innovate communications that help people, particularly marginalized groups, make sound health decisions that improve their quality of life.

Connecting the Dots

My Communications Approach

Collateral Development

Crafting compelling narratives and engaging content is my jam. I specialize in content development and social media marketing that makes a statement. My experience includes producing a wide range of digital assets, such as newsletters, social media posts, and campaign toolkits and more. I have been instrumental in several brand revitalization initiatives, leading the development of new strategies that reflect organizational commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

Internal Communications

As a communications manager, I improve operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement by successfully implementing comprehensive internal communication strategies within the public health non-profit sector. My responsibilities have encompassed the development of standardized communication protocols, thought leadership content, and the cultivation of strong relationships within my team and staff at large.

Community Engagement

I cultivate meaningful relationships with donors and key stakeholders and leverage these connections to drive brand mission forward. I actively pursue opportunities to engage with field experts and use their insights to inform communication strategies, such as newsletters, articles, and social posts. My strategy centers community building through awareness campaigns that drive audience expansion and the amplification of diverse impact stories.

Information is medicine: On Social Media, Misinformation and Trust for Black Health

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, BlackDoctor.org brought together the brightest minds in the industry at the “State of Black Health: What Now” Black Health Summit in New York City. Panels featured top healthcare professionals, community leaders, and industry experts tackling the most pressing health issues facing Black America today. This groundbreaking summit included a program of insightful discussions on medical advancements, powerful conversations on equitable access, and actionable solutions to improve health outcomes in our communities. I joined an incredible group of experts on the “Information is Medicine” panel. Explore more at the links below!

Beyond the Work: Building Community

My passion for storytelling and connection extends beyond my professional work—I’m also the founder of Bloom RVA, a social club for Black women in Richmond, created to cultivate meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.

Launched in January 2025, Bloom RVA grew to 300 members in just three weeks and hosted sold-out in-person events. From audience engagement strategies to seamless event execution, this experience has reinforced what I know to be true in both marketing and public health: people connect with authenticity, value, and shared purpose.

As a public health communicator, this work deepens my understanding of what it takes to move people from passive interest to active participation—a critical lesson in behavioral change and outreach. As a digital marketer, it’s a case study in organic growth, strong brand positioning, and high-converting messaging.

At the heart of it all, my work—whether in public health, marketing, or community-building—is about helping people feel seen and heard.

Collaborative Impact

Kayla has consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication in her role, contributing significantly to our organization's marketing and communications efforts. I have been in awe of her creativity, resourcefulness, and attention to the needs of various audiences. With her keen editorial eye, exceptional writing abilities, and strategic mindset, Kayla has consistently produced engaging content and designs that resonate across e-mail campaigns, social media posts, blogs, and news articles. Her efforts have contributed to significant audience growth across platforms and have enhanced the organization's credibility and visibility in our industry - a true gift to our professional members and core constituents. It should also be noted that Kayla has also demonstrated strong leadership in internal communications, establishing processes that streamline workflow and enhance collaboration among staff and volunteers so we are better able to promote events, webinars, wellness initiatives, and brand partnerships. Outside of her professional skills, I have found Kayla to be fun to work with and thoughtful with her colleagues. She exhibits a respectful demeanor and asks questions with and of her colleagues that foster optimistic thinking and innovative solutions.

Elizabeth | Direct Supervisor

I've had the pleasure of working closely with Kayla, and she has been a vital part of our team. Her bright, organized, and self-starting nature makes collaborating with her an absolute delight. Kayla's exceptional time and project management skills ensure that everything runs smoothly, and her proactive approach to tasks never fails to impress. She brings positivity and efficiency to the workplace, creating a supportive environment for her teammates. Kayla is a true asset to any team, and it's been a joy working alongside her.

Lindsay | Team Member

I loved working with Kayla for many reasons but above all because she brings unparalleled creativity and passion to her work. She elevates communication and digital strategies with a thoughtful approach to each project. Her talents in both digital marketing and graphic design helped lead our team to achieve success in maximizing audience exposure and engagement in new and exciting ways.

Kelly | Team Member

Kayla plays a crucial role in our communications planning and execution. She has developed our social media strategy from scratch and consistently enhances it, ensuring that stakeholder voices are acknowledged without overshadowing our objectives. Kayla's meticulous planning, strategic approach, keen attention to detail, and understanding of our audience make her insights indispensable. Moreover, on a personal level, she has served as a mentor to me, teaching me how to craft social campaigns that are both thought-provoking and effective in driving engagement.

Laura | Team Member

Health Matters

Through thoughtful analysis, personal stories, and expert insights, Health Matters explores the intersection of identity, health equity, and public health strategies in pursuit of better health for us all.

Health Matters
Dismantling Stereotypes + 9 Advocacy Strategies for Black Patients
Dismantling Stereotypes + 9 Advocacy Strategies for Black Patients

In healthcare scenarios, the ideas of “wrong” or “failure to comply” often translate to victim-blaming Black patients. With stereotypes, there is no room for personalized treatment approaches because there are blinders that prevent some providers from seeing individual humanity as opposed to generic and preconceived ideas. I see the role of public health as a platform of empowerment for patients. Public health communicators can mobilize communities with messaging that teaches them to speak up for themselves when it may be a matter of life and death. 

Answering the Call: My Journey into Patient Advocacy
Answering the Call: My Journey into Patient Advocacy

I’m incredibly transparent about about my cancer survivorship, but if you had asked me years or even months ago whether I saw myself on a stage speaking about patient advocacy, I likely would have said no. But when the call came, I answered—and I’m just getting started.

Public Health Communicator Kayla Nixon Launches Uterine Health Platform for Black Women
Public Health Communicator Kayla Nixon Launches Uterine Health Platform for Black Women

The Uterine Care Collaborative is thrilled to announce its official launch, a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to empowering Black women and improving uterine health. Uterine Care Collaborative is a shared learning space and community hub that aims to use current research and an evidence-based approach to address the unique challenges faced by Black women with uterine health issues.

A Divergent Experience in Public Health: What If I’m on the Inside & Outside?
A Divergent Experience in Public Health: What If I’m on the Inside & Outside?

Empathy is being able to easily put yourself in someone’s shoes. Sympathy is showing concern, but not necessarily being able to relate. Being a public health communicator for a gynecologic cancer non-profit organization and being a five-year survivor of uterine cancer, I find myself straddling an interesting dichotomy: being both on the inside looking out and the outside looking in. How can we reckon with diverging perspectives?

Communication Innovation in Public Health: Embracing Risk & Failing Forward
Communication Innovation in Public Health: Embracing Risk & Failing Forward

Public health communication is not just about sharing information; it’s about connecting with people in ways that teach and inspire change. Communication strategies must always evolve and this kind of constant innovation involves risk. How can we remain human-centered in our approach, especially when addressing the needs of marginalized communities?

Featured

I’m incredibly honored to have contributed to Layered: A Report on Black Women’s Perceptions of Clinical Trials, alongside brilliant Black women in healthcare. This research highlights the persistent gaps in clinical trials and the urgent need for Black women’s inclusion in medical research.

Spending time in Puerto Rico with the other incredible women listed in this report was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. Black women deserve to be heard, seen, and centered in healthcare.

“We often hear that Black women are missing from clinical research because they are ‘hard-to-reach’ or reluctant to participate due to mistrust of the medical establishment,” said Kianta Key, group senior vice president and head of identity experience at GCI Health, in a press release. “In talking with women, we heard something more layered and nuanced that deserved exploration.”

Interested In Exploring Real-World Examples?

FAQs

  • You can view and download my resume here.

  • My process always starts with research. I can’t know what I want to say until I know what I’m writing about. I ask questions like:

    What is common knowledge to this industry or audience?

    What vocabulary is used by this group?

    What are the important historical and modern events, ideas, and thought processes typically associated with this group?

  • When my wheels are spinning, I simply step away from my creative process for a moment, which I know sounds counterintuitive. I get out and live. I go for a walk, listen to music, take a trip, or do other things that I genuinely enjoy. I usually find that when I come back to creating, I’ve been inspired by something I experienced in life that informs my work in a new and fresh way.

  • My ideal work environment is one in which I am able to exercise independence and creativity that contributes to the vision and success of a team and company/organization at large. I want to be able to do the things I love to do and have opportunities to learn and grow under the management of a supervisor and teammates that offer thoughtful insights and feedback. I also thrive in a remote, flexible setting.

  • Five years from now, I envision myself as a leading Black female voice in public health communications. I see myself as a trusted source of information and an ardent advocate for equitable healthcare.