Kendric Dartis

Dr. Kendric Dartis is the Vice President of Outreach and Engagement at Truth Initiative, America's largest nonprofit public health organization committed to preventing youth and young adult nicotine addiction and empowering quitting for all.

At Truth Initiative, Dr. Dartis leads the organization’s efforts to engage communities and stakeholders to create a future free from commercial tobacco use, especially among Black Americans, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other populations disproportionately impacted by tobacco. He brings years of health leadership and tobacco regulatory experience to this work, including nearly a decade at the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products.

A Tennessee native, Dr. Dartis is a proud graduate of Tennessee State University (TSU), where he serves as an adjunct professor in the College of Health Sciences and is president of the Washington, D.C. alumni chapter. He is a Visiting Professor and Provost Fellow at Shorter College in Little Rock, Arkansas, and sits on the boards of both the Center for Black Health & Equity and Disability Partnerships. His commitment to civic engagement is further reflected in his service on advisory boards for Meharry Medical College and TSU, contributing to the development of future health leaders. In 2026, Black Health Connect recognized him as a 40 under 40 honoree for his impact on the future of health care.

Dr. Dartis holds a Doctor of Healthcare Administration from Virginia University of Lynchburg, a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a concentration in Public Health from Touro University, and a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Planning from Tennessee State University.