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Octavius V. Catto

  • Community College of Philadelphia 1700 Spring Garden Street Philadelphia, PA, 19130 United States (map)

At the Octavius V. Catto Conference, I spoke on the idea of being “Built for This,” a reminder that Black communities, Black leaders, and Black men in particular are not defined by deficit but by endurance, brilliance, and inherited strength. I connected this theme to health equity and leadership, showing how systemic barriers, mistrust in healthcare, and limited access do not erase our capacity to lead, heal, innovate, and advocate for our own well-being. “Built for This” was presented not as a motivational slogan but as a lived truth. It reflects the history of surviving inequality, navigating bias in medical systems, and still pushing forward to redesign care, elevate wellness literacy, and open doors that tradition once closed. The message centered on reclaiming autonomy over health, redefining our narrative, and stepping into leadership with the understanding that we are not waiting to be validated. We are already equipped.

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October 29

Guest Lecturer, Rutgers Univ