For Dr. Karimah S. Bell Lynum, FAMU is a Legacy Worth Passing on
Tampa born Dr. Karimah S. Bell Lynum, along with her sister Akilah Bell Carter, are both 2nd generation Rattlers. Their parents met on the highest of 7 hills in the early 70’s. “I can remember being a kid and when the Florida Classic was in Tampa, their friends coming to town every year for the game, and it being a big deal around our home” says Karimah.
Their mother never told them what they need to be when they grew up, instead telling them they had to be better than her. “She had a Master’s level degree and so we knew we had to go out and do something else and so we got doctorate degrees” Karimah explains. “I tell my daughter the same thing. You have to be better than me! Whatever that may be.”
Karimah chose FAMU after following her sister’s career path as a pharmacist. Knowing that FAMU is known for its pharmacy program, she pursued a Doctorate of Pharmacy.
The pharmacy program gave Karimah the opportunity to learn from giants in the field, especially during the Forum series. Karimah realized she wanted to be a Medical Science Liaison, so she chose the clinical route. “Going the clinical route meant me having to sacrifice yet another year to complete a pharmacy practice residency, when all my other friends were out making money” says Karimah. As someone who is always thinking about the long game and at least 5 years ahead, she knew it would pay off. “I didn’t know I’d be focused on research and designing trials the way I am doing today, but I have also learned over the years to stop planning out my life to an exact point because God will place you where He wants you in the end.”
After finishing FAMU with her Doctorate of Pharmacy, Karimah went on to complete a Pharmacy Practice Residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, the same hospital she was born in. After completing her residency, she moved to Philadelphia. “My husband at the time and I literally picked it on the map.” She loved that it was close to NYC. Ever the planner, she gave herself 5 years to live in Philly, before heading back down South. “I’m still here and loving every moment” says Karimah.
Karimah has worked with the Philadelphia VA Medical Center as a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist in Psychiatry, as a Medical Science Liaison with Janssen Scientific Affairs, and became a Board Certified Psychiatric Pharmacist, educating providers in the psychiatry space. She then became an Associate Director, Clinical Pharmacy Specialist, in Neuroscience, overseeing clinical trials. More recently she moved to Actelion Pharmaeuticals US Inc, as an Associate Director of Medical Affairs, focusing on pulmonary arterial hypertension and working remotely due to Covid-19.
In 2015 she began pursuing an MBA from Drexel University. Around the same time, she linked up with an “ole head” who began teaching her how to deejay, something she always wanted to do. In 2019, she learned how to edit podcasts, and started doing this for Femme Noir Files podcast, later using her skills at work to edit and produce a podcast series for the Titusville NJ Chapter of her company’s black employees resource group.
FAMU helped to prepare Karimah by providing her with long-lasting relationships. “[FAMU] provided so many other life lessons that span from running a business, overseeing projects, leading, networking, and a host of other skills, that I am forever thankful for the experiences” says Karimah. During her years there, she was the Founder and President of her own nonprofit, Project: H.O.M.E. (2001–2006), President of the Tampa Bay Area Club, and pledged the Beta Alpha Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
One of her favorite memories is from freshman year, living in Palmetto South. “A few of my neighbors would jump up at say midnight, and start running around the campus as a form of exercise” Karimah recounts. “I was so determined not to get the “Freshman 15”, that we went the lengths. Since many of us were young ladies, our guy neighbors felt it necessary to run along with us, so it was just a great memory.”
Her ‘Peek Show’, the coming out as a member of Delta Sigma Theta, is also a memory she holds dear. “That night was special as we were wrapped up in our sweatpants and hoodies so no one could see us. The songs we belted out that evening came from the soul and it as a journey I wanted, even before getting to FAMU, so my level of thankfulness and joy were unspeakable.”
Giving back to the future Rattler Alums of this great University was important to Karimah. “I wholeheartedly believe that we are placed on earth to be a blessing to someone else. This is the way in which I am able to show this. I love giving back and this has been something in my blood from day one and that I continue.”
Whenever we get to homecoming, Karimah is looking forward to seeing friends and reminiscing on times spent at FAMU. “I only get back when I’m celebrating an anniversary of such, so it’s important for me to take in these moments” says Karimah. “Even if we are not able to get together this year, I pray we are able to join together next year and continue to celebrate these 20 years of our FAMU connection!”
Karimah means “to be generous”, and she embodies this, serving on her sorority’s International Awareness and Involvement Committee, educating the community on HIV/AIDS awareness programs and testing on an annual basis, and serving as Scholarship Chair and Vice President of the Philadelphia Chapter of FAMU NAA, hosting an annual brunch and providing scholarships to FAMU students. “I knew I wanted to be great and have a positive impact in everything I was involved in.”
In her free time, Karimah enjoys traveling, especially with her “TRIBE” of line sisters and friends. She still runs, reads, and serves as the personal driver for her 9-year old daughter, Kendi, who is hopefully a future Rattler herself.
Karimah likes the quiet moments that allow her to reflect on life, often finding time to think about her next steps and ensuring that she is cultivating relationships and building her businesses accordingly.
“I live my life in a bit of a “YOLO” kind of way. I try to keep the energy around me positive, live life with no regrets, and pray to have blessed people along the way.”
