Amma Ababio, MPH (she/they), is an educator, lifelong learner, and entrepreneur. Her work focuses on the intersection of education, public health, art, and activism.
Amma was born in Ghana, grew up in Pittsburgh, PA, and is a proud product of the Pittsburgh Public Schools (PPS) District. In high school, she advocated for the rights of students, especially low-income students of color, in PPS. When she was 16, she got her first formal teaching experience teaching chemistry. Amma has taught since; she loves supporting students and seeing them grow in her classes.
She attended college at Harvard University, during which she taught history and science in K-12 classrooms in under-resourced schools. While teaching, she realized how much health, especially mental health, affected student growth and achievement; the health disparities were systemic. As a result, during the height of the COVID-19-related school closures, she decided to pursue a Masters in Public Health (MPH) degree at the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH), focusing on the social determinants of student growth and achievement.
After graduating, she became an adjunct faculty in BUSPH’s Global Health Department, teaching courses for graduate students in project management, financial management, global mental health, health innovation, and gender & sexuality studies.
In addition to teaching, Amma has several entrepreneurial pursuits. First, she created Ababio Consulting Studio, a project-based consulting company. Her clients include higher education institutions such as BUSPH, Harvard University, and the Phillips Brooks Association (a student-run public service non-profit).
Second, Amma opened AQ Creations Studio. The organization's mission is to make affordable Black art and increase art accessibility, especially for low-income people. She makes art to bring joy, not to make money. Amma primarily creates art commissions for charity auctions and community events.
In her spare time, Amma is an avid biker, averaging about 20 miles per week. She is also on the girls' team at Mass Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu near her home in Arlington, MA. She is also a proud auntie to three amazing little humans: Nelly, Jess Jess, and Jojo.