We recently had the chance to connect with Dr Briana Malone and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Briana, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
These last few years I’ve taken quite a few losses in my life with the death my grandma, grandad, dog, and my aunt who was more like a second mom, so trying to find laughter and joy in the midst of grief can be hard sometimes. With the holidays coming and my aunt being the pro at making the most favorite dish of Thanksgiving, the dressing, it was hard to see how the holiday would even be the same. Luckily, when neuropathy from the chemo started affecting her hands I made sure to step in and help her as well as type out all of her recipes. With her passing March 2025, November 2025 would mark the first year without her famous dressing. In her memory and with plenty nerves to try and even come close to her dressing, my mom and I tackled it together! My proudest moment was presenting the dressing to our family on Thanksgiving without our favorite cook physically but with her spirit everywhere, and they absolutely loved it! Everyone said it was delicious and she would be so proud! I felt the most joy I’ve felt in a while in that moment where i could make sure her spirit and great cooking and recipes would be with us forever.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Dr. Briana Malone, a 2017 graduate of University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy. I am a Pharmacist and founder of Health Her Way. Health Her Way is a scholarship fund that awards two $1,500 scholarships and two free headshot sessions to African American women from Memphis, TN who are pursuing a degree in the health care field! This past year we celebrated 5 years of Health Her way by awarding 5 scholarships of $1,500 and two free headshots! We hope to continue to help increase the number of African American women from Memphis making a difference in the health field and lives of others across the world! Tax free donations are accepted all year round for scholarship fund. The link to donate as well as a look at all of our recipients can be found on our website at HealthHerWay.org.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped the way I see myself would have to be my relationship with my mom. Not only is she my mom but she is my best friend, my angel on earth, and my inspiration! Everything I am today I owe to her and her amazing qualities as a mom and just a good person! She’s taught me about sacrifice, hard work, leadership, love, kindness, selflessness, and the list could go on. Not only are we a spitting image of each other, but her love for others and how she cares for others has shaped me into having those exact qualities that I implement in my life, in my career as a pharmacist, and to our Health Her Way applicants and recipients!
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to always stay true to yourself and remain your nice, kind, and bubbly self. Don’t let the world dim your light or turn you cold. You will face a lot of ups and downs in life but always keep God and love in your heart and remember that the world can’t take your joy away because the world didn’t give it to you! Your joy comes from the Lord so rejoice in it and spread love and encourage others with your light and love that you bring whenever you’re around.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would say traveling, family, and helping others matters the most to me! I enjoy exploring the world and being able to experience different places, views, and experiences outside of Memphis. I also absolutely love my family and spending quality time with everyone for celebrations and holidays because our time together isn’t infinite so I take pride in making all the memories with my beautiful family! In any way I can help others I try to because that fulfills me and I enjoy making a difference and seeing a smile on others faces.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember how my smile lit up a room and how caring and helpful I was. I hope they speak on my light and my personality and the impact I had on the lives of others around me as well as small interactions I may have had with them. I hope they talk about Health Her Way and how big of an impact it has played in the lives many women from Memphis! I hope I encouraged them to love and to live and to be the light in the world!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://HealthHerWay.org
- Instagram: Health_Herway
- Other: To donate click the link at HealthHerWay.org and choose one of the 3 ways to donate to the Health Her Way Scholarship fund.
Image Credits
Antoine Lever
Harry Green
