Legacy Living

Tracey Gibson Strong

I vividly remember preparing to head off to college. I was afraid. I prayed and asked God to be with me on my journey. Joshua 1:8 became my life verse.

“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9 NIV

I also asked God to help me to be a beacon of light in my community. I made a vow that one day I would come back home and give back to my hometown. More than ever, I have a strong conviction to do just that.

With over 20 years in the Pharmaceutical Industry, I have worked in areas ranging from being a chemist in the lab, to providing scientific information to healthcare professionals, to auditing clinical trials at doctor offices, universities, and hospitals. Currently, I am Clinical Trial Manager at Johnson & Johnson. My role is to oversee the operations of Clinical Trials throughout the United States.

In response to the great health divide that Covid has exposed, a clarion call has been issued to help close the gap in Racial Health Disparities. It is my hope and desire to heed this call by integrating my passion for my community with my background and skills in science and the pharmaceutical industry to help identify and provide real solutions to the health disparities in the community. My hope is not only for a healthier community but that others come to realize how they too can become a beacon of light in the community and across the nation.

My goal is to work with community leaders, churches, schools, other organizations, and any individual who has the faith to believe that things can be better and has a heart to serve others. This is what I call “legacy living”.

I am excited to be in partnership with the North Courtland Neighborhood Collective (NC²) and the Town of North Courtland. Our mission is to examine and shed light on root causes of rural based community-wide issues - including access, affordability, and proximity to adequate health care, food insecurities and proximity to grocery stores, and access and proximity of quality education — as well as efforts to solve them.

I am convinced that "Now" is the time to unify and revitalize the community that is near and dear to so many of us. We owe it to those who have gone before us and the next generation.