Anesia Franklin

Anesia’s background, personal experiences and career goals are very much interrelated. She has suffered her whole life from an autoimmune disease that often leaves her drained of energy. Her mother suffers from the same condition, which is one reason Anesia hopes to become a geneticist. As a black woman, she is acutely aware of the fear and misinformation around healthcare. This can lead to poor outcomes, and Anesia wants to be part of changing that reality. She is also motivated to systemic change. For example, she sees the huge potential that genetic screening can provide in diagnostics, but because even with insurance a patient can incur thousands of dollars in medical bills, this vital tool can remain out of reach.

To help with expenses, Anesia worked for several years as a sales associate at See’s Candies, and also worked as a Teaching Assistant in Calculus at Santa Rosa Junior College.

At Earl Warren College she participates in COWS, an acronym for Commission of Warren Spirit. Previously she was a volunteer at Rites of Passage, a college readiness program in Sonoma County.

Anesia relates how one key person in your life can make a profound difference. She grew up black in a predominantly affluent white area. She lacked role models until she met a senior girl who reached out to her and provided valuable guidance. That inspired her to participate in in Sonoma State University’s summer youth leadership program. She values the time she spent with other young black people and “being able to give back to my community in a way that will help ensure the success of students I can see myself in has been one of the best experiences of my life.” Her mentor sadly passed away, but Anesia is “committed to upholding her light and legacy.”