
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm in Gilead Inc.
Rev. Dr. Joshua L. Mitchell
Senior Pastor 31st Street Baptist Church
Richmond, VA
The Right Reverend Teresa Jefferson-Snorton
Chair, National Council of Churches Ecumenical Bishop
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Birmingham, AL
Sandra B. Crowder
International President Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Dr. Barbara L. Shaw
Chair, Board of Directors
The Balm In Gilead Inc.
Bishop Horace E. Smith MD
Senior Pastor, Apostolic Faith Church
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Video Presentation
Roadmap 2030
The Black Health Agenda for the New Decade
Healthy Churches 2030 Conference begins each day with worship and thanksgiving. Annually at this time of year, we gather from diverse faith communities. However, central to our gathering is our belief in the presence and power of the One God and the spiritual authority of His son, Jesus Christ. This one-of-a-kind conference brings faith and public health together to forge solutions to the long-standing alarming rates of health disparities among African Americans. We also welcome our faith partners from across the continent of Africa. Comparable to African Americans, too many human beings living throughout the Black Diaspora suffer and die needlessly from a lack of health access and resources, poverty, and poor health behaviors.
Program:
Dr. Thema Bryant
Clinical Psychologist & President-Elect
American Psychological Association, Los Angeles, CA
Bishop W. Darin Moore
Presiding Prelate
Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District, The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church
Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby
Senior Pastor
Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church, Houston, TX
Program:
Our Opening conference State of the Union on the Black Health Agenda addresses opportunities, priorities and challenges of the Black Health Agenda in the new decade. This year, we will put special emphasis on trauma and its impact on the Mental Health of Black people.
The Healthy Churches 2030 Conference Opening Preacher, Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby is a leading voice in ministering to intentional, intergenerational congregations. Both as a pastor and the founder & CEO of Preaching with Power and Authority, Dr. Cosby’s voice reaches those beyond the church and encourages people to come as they are as everyone has a place at the altar in God. Dr. Cosby will challenge us to build forward and not remain stuck in our ministries of the past.
Bishop Horace E. Smith, MD
Senior Pastor, Apostolic Faith Church
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics; Northwestern University, Chicago, IL
Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC
Director & Senior Associate Dean
Clinical Research Center & Clinical and Translational Research
Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer
Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), New York, NY
Brenda Curtis, PhD, MSPH
Principal Investigator, Technology and Translational Research
National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD
Joshua J. Joseph, MD
Assistant Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Heart Disease, Cancer, Opioid Addiction and Diabetes are among the biggest health challenges facing all persons living in the United States. However, the rates of these health challenges among Black people are extreme and traumatic. We continue to ask the question, Why? And What can we do about it?
Don O. Rowe, MD, FACC
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease
Invasive Cardiologist, North Atlanta Heart and Vascular Center, PC
Don Chaney
Former Professional Basketball Player and Coach living with ATTR-CM
Join us as we discuss a serious health condition that causes heart failure and is often missed in Black, African American, and Afro-Caribbean communities.
Iris J. Lundy, MHL, BSN, RN
Senior Director, Health Equity Sentara Healthcare,
Norfolk, Virginia
Keith H. Newby, MD
President and CEO of Fort Norfolk Medical Associates &
Medical Director of Health Equity for Sentara Healthcare
Norfolk, Virginia
Vanessa L. Hill, MFA, MPH
Founder and Executive Director of Project Nana, Inc. &
Health Equity Project Manager for Sentara Healthcare
Norfolk, Virginia
Destiny Flanagan
Intern, Sentara Health Equity
The intersection of the pandemic and social justice issues has propelled health equity to the forefront in public, private and nonprofit organizations. Historically minoritized, marginalized and other excluded voices of people have consistently felt the burden of too little, too late when it comes to healthcare access, information, decisions and diagnoses. Health disparities and inequities continue to plague our communities. The newly amplified, trusted community voices have maintained that a healthy and wealthy republic leaves no citizen behind, and interventions must be community inclusive and culturally specific. This live symposium will examine the root causes of health inequities, the shift towards health equity aided by the COVID pandemic, and how community partnerships are necessary to improve health outcomes and quality of life for community members.
Rimsky Denis, MD, MPH, MBA
Fellow - Interventional and Structural Cardiology
Johns Hopkins University, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
Kevin Sneed, PharmD, FNAP, FNPHA
Dean, USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy
Andre Artis, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, MBA
Medical Director Methodist Hospitals, Inc., Heart and Vascular Institute
Experts will discuss inequities in access to healthcare for minority patients and the social barriers that lead the continuation of those disparities. Through the lens of a patient, we will review the updated chest pain, heart failure guidelines, and discuss how the guidelines have impacted patient care and access. Chest Pain (2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines), Revascularization (2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: Executive Summary) and Heart Failure (2022 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC)/Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA) Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure).
Leah Szumita, MS, RN, ACNS-BC
Director of the Clinical Trial Support Center,
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Mel Mann, MBA, MED
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia survivor; Clinical Trials Advocate
Finding a cancer clinical trial can be overwhelming. Patients are often left to search on their own, leaving them with more questions than answers. In this session, participants will learn how The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, through its nurse navigators at the Clinical Trial Support Center, has created a successful pathway to connect eligible blood cancer patients to appropriate clinical trials while addressing barriers associated with enrollment.
Chef Nikki
Chef-Owner, Nikki's Kitchen, Atlanta, GA
Food Network Chopped Champion
Celebrity Chef and Chopped “Playing with Fire: High Stakes” winner, Chef Nikki, showcases healthier versions of some of her signature dishes. This culinary artist will help attendees expand their cooking palettes past their comfort zone as she puts her heart into these soulfully healthy dishes.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm In Gilead Inc.
Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, DMin
Director
Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) New Orleans, LA
Bishop Kenneth Monroe
Eastern North Carolina Episcopal
The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Charlotte, NC
Rev. Dr. John W. Kinney
Former Dean, Samuel DeWitt School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
Victoria A. Smalls
Executive Director
Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, Beaufort, SC
Wafaa El-Sadr, MD
Executive Vice President, Columbia Global
Professor, Epidemiology and Medicine
Director of ICAP, Columbia University, New York, NY
Healthy Churches 2030 Conference begins each day with worship and thanksgiving. Annually at this time of year, we gather from diverse faith communities. However, central to our gathering is our belief in the presence and power of the One God and the spiritual authority of His son, Jesus Christ. This one-of-a-kind conference brings faith and public health together to forge solutions to the long-standing alarming rates of health disparities among African Americans. We also welcome our faith partners from across the continent of Africa. Comparable to African Americans, too many human beings living throughout the Black Diaspora suffer and die needlessly from a lack of health access and resources, poverty, and poor health behaviors.
Program:
Nicole Cyrille-Superville, MD
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist
Associate Director of Heart Failure for the Atrium Health Southern Region Atrium Health
Rita Lazenby
Patient Education Liaison, Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Join us to hear from Nicole Cyrille-Superville, MD, a healthcare professional experienced in the management of hereditary ATTR (hATTR) amyloidosis, an underdiagnosed condition disproportionately affecting African Americans, including Afro-Caribbeans, Brazilians, Guineans, Ivorians, Nigerians, and others. Approximately 1 in 25 (4%) of African Americans have a certain gene variant, or change, in the transthyretin (TTR) gene associated with hATTR amyloidosis. This change in the TTR gene may also be referred to as a mutation. hATTR amyloidosis affects several parts of the body and can cause a wide variety of symptoms. Learn how to recognize the signs and symptoms of the disease, how it is passed down, and where to find additional educational resources. This event is sponsored by Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. Nicole Cyrille-Superville, MD is a consultant for Alnylam and is receiving compensation for this presentation. The material for this program has been provided by Alnylam. To learn more about hATTR amyloidosis and download educational resources, please visit www.hATTRbridge.com.
Dr. Sherry Blake
Clinical Psychologists, Media Personality, and Mental Health Expert
Black Families and Mental Health, Trauma and Resilience
“What happens in this house, stays in this house” may be a familiar theme to many in the Black community. Now it’s time to have a healthy, open discussion about trauma and its effects on the Black family. There’s a big difference between surviving versus thriving, so let's talk about how to build resilience through healthy conversations about mental health.
Marsha B. Henderson
Former Assistant Commissioner
Women's Health U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Washington, DC
Dayna Johnson, PhD, MPH, MSW, MS
Assistant Professor
Dept. of Epidemiology Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Girardin Jean-Louis, PhD
Professor
Psychiatry and Neurology University of Miami, Miami FL
Most of us are not getting a good night's sleep! We are unaware of the traumatic impact lack of sleep has on our health. Studies have shown a high prevalence of sleep apnea among African Americans. However, nearly 95 percent of African Americans are undiagnosed and untreated. Sleep apnea can be an underlying cause of heart disease, high blood pressure and other chronic health challenges. Sleep is vital to our health. Learn why and how to get better sleep.
Deanna Darlington
Advocacy Relations Professional
Sheri Prentiss, MD, MPH, CSP
Proven visionary, Best-selling author
Shingles, also known as herpes zoster, is a painful skin rash that can last for weeks. If you're one of the 99.5% of people 50 years and older that have had chickenpox, the virus that causes shingles is already inside you. Learn from healthcare experts about your immune system in your 50’s and how you can protect yourself from shingles and more with this informative symposium.
J Christopher Spell PhD
Director of Medical Affairs Strategy
Myovant Sciences
Robert Ginyard
Entrepreneur, Speaker, & Prostate Cancer Survivor
Yaw Nyame, MD, MS, MBA
Assistant Professor
Affiliate Member and OCOE Program Lead at Fred Hutch
Healthcare statistics show that black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer during their lifetime, and twice as likely to die from the disease. Join us for information on the process and the importance of creating a legacy of knowledge for you and your family.
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Fallon S. Wilson, PhD
Co-Founder and Lead Investigator
Black Tech Futures Research Institute, Nashville, TN
Nicci Gilbert-Daniels
Lead Vocalist, Brownstone
Founder and President, WIRF Media, Atlanta, GA
Join this dynamic panel of Black Women reclaiming the narrative on the Black community and digital equity. Hear from change-makers in multicultural media, internet, and technology as they share why digital and technological advancements are prominent Civil Rights issues for the 21st century. Learn how to equip your community, church, and business with the skills, resources, and economic investments needed to close the digital equity gap.
Cary L. Goodman
Program and Development Consultant
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond, VA
Richard D. King, MD, PhD
Associate Professor
Neurology University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Fayron Epps, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor
Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Founder and Program Lead for Alter
This transformative session will call us to reimagine our understanding and approaches to brain health and what that means for the African American communities. Panelist will share real-world, culturally relevant stories, experiences, and lessons learned in overcoming the challenges around brain health as we age.
Dolvett Quince
Self-development coach, author, movement expert
Podcast host, “WORKOUT THE DOUBT”, Los Angeles, CA
Turn your potential into a strength during this interactive class! Join New York Times Bestselling Author, International Keynote Speaker, and Celebrity Fitness Trainer Dolvett Quince as he blends fitness science and emotional intelligence to help you discover ways to reduce fat and gain muscle through diet and exercise. As a renowned fitness professional, Dolvett helps people everywhere overcome self-doubt by giving them a clear vision, growth mindset, and practical system to design their best path forward. Grab a water bottle and a towel and meet us virtually. Don't worry! This session is for people of all ages and levels of health and fitness.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm in Gilead Inc
Rev. Raynol Matthys
Presiding Elder of Paarl District
Pastor, St. Joseph AME Church, Cape Town, South Africa
The Right Reverend Dr. Silvester S. Beaman
Bishop of the 15th Episcopal District
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Senior Bishop Lawrence L. Reddick III
Presiding Bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District
The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church
Saidi Mpendu, MD
Country Director
The Balm In Gilead – Tanzania
Natalia Kanem, MD
Executive Director
United Nations Population Fund, New York, NY
Healthy Churches 2030 Conference begins each day with worship and thanksgiving. Annually at this time of year, we gather from diverse faith communities. However, central to our gathering is our belief in the presence and power of the One God and the spiritual authority of His son, Jesus Christ. This one-of-a-kind conference brings faith and public health together to forge solutions to the long-standing alarming rates of health disparities among African Americans. We also welcome our faith partners from across the continent of Africa. Comparable to African Americans, too many human beings living throughout the Black Diaspora suffer and die needlessly from a lack of health access and resources, poverty, and poor health behaviors.
Program:
Keisha Dabrowski
Global Leader Health Equity Communications
Richard Browne, MD
Medical Director CV Strategy
Isha Williams
Head Culturally Inclusive & Relevant Marketing
Join this panel of passionate Health Equity leaders from Johnson & Johnson as they share useful insights and approaches to elevate health ministry impact. Topics include: The impacts of health disparity and areas of partnership between the healthcare and faith communities Health equity communication considerations and the expectation faith communities can and should set for their healthcare partners Strategies to improve patient – doctor connection and partnership in healthcare discussions Diverse healthcare resources faith communities can leverage to support faith community health education and events.
Yelak Biru
President & CEO
International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
Kimberly Alexander
CEO and Founder, Level Health Agency
Olajide Williams, MD
Professor of Neurology
Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology
Associate Dean of Community Research and Engagement, Columbia University
Did you know that multiple myeloma is the most common form of blood cancer among African Americans? Over the last decade, treatment has come a long way. African Americans with multiple myeloma tend to have a better prognosis compared to other races, yet other patient groups have seen greater improvement in survival. Join us for a panel conversation with Dr. Olajide Williams, Yelak Biru, and Kimberly Alexander to discuss living with cancer and advocating for yourself and your community. Kimberly will moderate the session and talk about her late husband, NFL linebacker Elijah Alexander, and their experience with diagnosis, treatment, clinical trials, and support groups; Yelak will talk about his experience as a patient and now as the head of the International Myeloma Foundation; and Dr. Williams will bring his deep experience as a tenured Professor of Neurology and Associate Dean of Community Research and Engagement at Columbia University. Dr. Williams is a global leader in health disparities and behavior change in communities of color, and is the founder and board chair of Hip Hop Public Health. Join us as we advocate for African Americans living with cancer. We are committed to standing up for care, closing treatment gaps, and increasing diverse participation in clinical trials. This panel discussion is proudly supported by Bristol Myers Squibb.
Joy-Ann Reid
Journalist, MSNBC Political Analyst
Host of “The ReidOut", New York, NY
Rev. Dr. Renita Weems
Minister, Biblical Scholar, Maker, and Author Nashville, TN
Nicole Calloway Rankins, MD
MPH Obstetrician Gynecologist
Podcast host, “All About Pregnancy & Birth”, Richmond, VA
Rev. Dr. Obery M. Hendricks
Adjunct Professor, Religion, African American and African Diaspora Studies
Columbia University, New York, NY
Cherisse Scott
Founder and CEO, SisterReach Memphis, TN
SCOTUS has overturned a woman’s legal right to an abortion, ending a 50-year law of allowing women a choice in this private matter. This decision is having an unprecedent impact on Black women and men when facing overwhelming cost and obstacles in obtaining reproductive healthcare. The SCOTUS decision is not a religious ruling. Let’s discuss this topic with facts and clarity!
Sponsored Symposium C-1: Astellas Phrama Inc.
Dr. Xellex Rivera
Founder, I Am She Women Empowerment Organization
Bronx, NY
Lisa Eady
Owner and Operator
Extraordinary Wellness 365, LLC, Richmond, VA
Marva Williams
Founder, Shhh...Menopause Wellness
United Kingdom
Black women often have higher rates of many serious health conditions. When considering menopause, black women are also likely to have more intense symptoms than other races. Join us for a candid, real-life discussion on menopause.
Folakemi Odedina, PhD
Professor & Enterprise Deputy Director,
Community Outreach and Engagement
Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center
Kim Barbel Johnson, MD, MPH
Family Medicine Physician
Community Clinical Trial Physician, Scientist
Rogers Cain, MD, PharmD
Family Medicine Physician, Private Practice
Floyd Willis, MD
Assistant Professor and Consultant of Family Medicine
This symposium will provide an overview of the importance of clinical trial diversity, as well as innovative and community-based approaches for improving diversity in clinical trials. Learn from an expert panel of scientists and clinicians about opportunities and strategies for diversifying clinical trial participation.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm in Gilead Inc.
Lecrae
Grammy Award-winning Artist
Mental Health Advocate, Atlanta, GA
“Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of your mind”, is a very familiar biblical text. However, shifting our patterns and focus are the ingredients for actual transformation. Global Music Artist Lecrae will bring us his best practices of changing the way we think to create a better and healthy life at the actual intersection of Trauma on Black Health, Religion and Life.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm In Gilead Inc.
Rev. Dr. Stephen Hurd
Gospel Artist, Author & Praise & Worship Pastor
Musical Director, The Balm In Gilead Musical Ensemble
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Dr. Charles Jenkins II
Award-winning Songwriter & Gospel Artist
Sr. Pastor, Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church, Chicago, IL
Dr. John Paul McGee
Assistant Chair
Berklee College of Music Boston, MA
Allen Temple AME Church
Atlanta, GA
Rev. Dr. Susan H. Buckson, MEd, Senior Pastor
Antioch AME Zion Church
Eastover, SC,
Rev. Dr. Robert T. Benton, DMin, Senior Pastor
Brown Memorial Baptist Church
Brooklyn, NY
Rev. Clinton M. Miller, Senior Pastor
Carter Metropolitan CME Church
Fort Worth, TX
Rev. Valencia Edner, Senior Pastor
Greater Christ Temple Church
Tacoma, WA
Bishop Prentis V. Johnson, Sr. PhD, Senior Pastor
Kingdom Cathedral
Virginia Beach, VA,
Bishop Michael Rogers Sr., Senior Pastor
New Creation Baptist Church
Minneapolis, MN,
Rev. Daniel B. McKizzie, MDiv., Senior Pastor
Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church
Philadelphia, PA
Rev. Dr. Alyn E. Waller, Senior Pastor
Morning Star Baptist Church
Gwynn Oak, MD
Bishop Dwayne C. Debnam, Senior Pastor
Right Direction Church International
Columbia, SC Bishop Herbert Bailey & Dr. Marcia Bailey
Senior Pastors
St. Peter Claver Catholic Church
New Orleans, LA
Bishop Fernand Cheri III, Parish Administrator
Third New Hope Baptist Church
Detroit, MI
Pastor QuanTez Pressley, MDiv, Senior Pastor
Painted Brain
Los Angeles, CA
Rayshell Chambers, Co-Executive Director
S. Darlene Cheek
New York, NY
Hosted by Dr. Pernessa C. Seele and Gospel Artist Stephen Hurd, The Healthy Churches 2030 Conference Health Ministry Best Practice Awards Ceremony highlights health ministries of congregations from across the United States who are doing exceptional and intentional work in the areas of health promotion, resources, and services to change the health outcomes of their congregants and community members. Join us in recognizing the recipients for demonstrating their leadership in promoting health ministry best practices.
Program:
Award Recipients:
Best Practice Award for Excellence in Health Outreach
Best Practice Community Gold Award
Best Practice Award for Excellence in Addressing Health Equity
Special Recognition Founder’s Award (2022)
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm in Gilead Inc.
Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson
Senior Minister
First AME Church, Seattle, WA
Bishop Randy Borders
Senior Pastor
Faith Harvest Church, Shelby, NC
Senior Bishop Adam J. Richardson
The Tenth Episcopal District
The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Marcella Nunez-Smith, MD, MHS
Professor, Yale School of Medicine
Physician, Former Presidential COVID-19 Health Equity Task Force Chair
Freda Lewis-Hall, MD
Clinician, Educator, Researcher,
Leader in Biopharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Industries
Healthy Churches 2030 Conference begins each day with worship and thanksgiving. Annually at this time of year, we gather from diverse faith communities. However, central to our gathering is our belief in the presence and power of the One God and the spiritual authority of His son, Jesus Christ. This one-of-a-kind conference brings faith and public health together to forge solutions to the long-standing alarming rates of health disparities among African Americans. We also welcome our faith partners from across the continent of Africa. Comparable to African Americans, too many human beings living throughout the Black Diaspora suffer and die needlessly from a lack of health access and resources, poverty, and poor health behaviors.
Program:
Lionel Phillips MBA
President and CEO Inside Edge Consulting Group
This session will educate the community on how clinical research works, the importance of it, and the benefits of participating in clinical trials. We will acknowledge the past and dispel myths about what is true and what is not about clinical research. We will discuss how safety and accountability are demonstrated by the industry and outline the critical role patients and communities play in contributing to science and the health of the community. We will discuss how the perspectives of clinical trials can change and empower trust makers to engage with their communities and take this message as a ‘Call to Action’ to raise awareness and education.
Tyler Hanson, JD
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs
Biogen Inc.
Jonathan Buckner, Esq.
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs (Midwest Region)
Biogen Inc.
Hani Houshyar, PhD
Vice President
Global Product Development and Commercialization Lead, Zuranolone
Biogen Inc.
The Morehouse School of Medicine estimates that annually we lose tens of thousands of lives and hundreds of millions of dollars due to the neglect of inequalities in mental health treatment. Other studies show that 21 Million Americans experienced a major depressive episode in 2020 and black people experienced the sharpest increase of severe depression symptoms of any racial/ethnic group, nearly 7 percent, between April and September 2020 alone. These, and many similar statistics, have made it clear that the nearly 60-year-old playbook used to treat serious mental illness in America fails to provide optimal outcomes for patients far too often. In this session, we will discuss why this crisis exists and what might be done to better help those suffering from depression.
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Deon Kipping
Award-winning Gospel Artist
Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson
Preacher, Educator, and Scholar
Rev. Dr. Danielle L. Brown
Senior Pastor, Shiloh Baptist Church; Plainfield, NJ
After this intense week of knowledge, advocacy and vision, what is next? As the exciting, gifted, and anointed Senior Pastor of the historic, Shiloh Baptist Church, in Plainfield, NJ, Rev. Dr. Brown will empower and encourage us to excel in our health and wellness ministries to bring about a renewed sense of urgency for living an abundant healthy life – spiritually, mentally and physically.
Program:
Obu Egbuna, MD, MSC, FASN
Vice President, Clinical Development
Vertex Pharmaceuticals
Our understanding of the role genetics plays in kidney disease has significantly increased in recent years. For instance, in 2010, scientists showed that higher rates of severe kidney diseases in African Americans could be linked to specific changes in a gene called APOL1. This session will provide important insights into the genetic variants found in the APOL1 gene and how that genetic variant increases the risk of developing kidney disease, and accelerates the progression of disease, in people of recent African ancestry.
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Leisha McKinley-Beach, MPH
National HIV& AIDS Consultant Atlanta, GA
Tori Cooper
Director, Community Engagement for Transgender Justice Initiative
Human Rights Campaign, Atlanta, GA
This session will delve into the barriers and stigmas created by focusing solely on risk prevention versus taking a whole-person approach. We must support black women (CIS and Trans) to living full, high-quality, purpose-filled lives through transparency, sex-positive messaging, and better collaboration between key stakeholders and our communities.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder & CEO
The Balm in Gilead Inc.
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Emmy Award Winning Actress Author
Producer, Activist, Los Angeles, CA
“Be Ye Transformed by the Renewing of your mind”, is a very familiar biblical text. However, shifting our patterns and focus are the ingredients for actual transformation. Emmy Award Winner Sheryl Lee Ralph will bring us her best practices of changing the way we think to create a better and healthy life at the actual intersection of Trauma on Black Health, Religion and Life.