(pronouns: he/him/his) 

Kelvin Nivens is the founder and executive director of Project Daraja Inc., a nonprofit organization in Santa Cruz County working to ensure the smallest and lowest earning communities of our county are afforded the benefits of specialized health care and wellness programs. Originally from Charlotte, North Carolina, he has spent over three decades in Santa Cruz, where he raised two daughters and built strong community connections. With a 35-year career in the health and wellness industry, Kelvin has worn many hats: athlete, coach, teacher, trainer, and gym owner. His holistic approach to fitness emphasizes the integration of physical strength with mental well-being, focusing on personal peace and nurturing clients as whole individuals. His passion for service is evident in his work with patients recovering from injuries and guiding young athletes. Kelvin’s personal journey through health challenges, including Hodgkin's Lymphoma and metastatic prostate cancer, deepened his gratitude for the support he received from the Santa Cruz community. This experience motivated him to give back, leading to the creation of Project Daraja, which aims to positively impact lives through meaningful initiatives. Additionally, Kelvin is actively involved with the Black and African-descent Collaborative for Prostate Cancer Action (BACPAC) and serves on the advisory board for the Germline, Environmental, Social and Structural Determinants of Lethal Prostate Cancer in Black Men (GEMS) project, which aims to address disparities in prostate cancer outcomes for Black individuals through a comprehensive analysis of biological, environmental, and social factors. 

Kelvin’s firsthand experience as a patient advisor informs research and promotes health equity in the community, emphasizing the importance of patient involvement in shaping healthcare agendas.