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Dr. Pernessa C. Seele
Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc.
Dr. Pernessa C. Seele, Founder and CEO of The Balm In Gilead, Inc., a not-for-profit organization, is a phenomenal trailblazer. Dr. Seele is celebrating over 30 years
Bishop Horace E. Smith, MD
Conference Chair
Bishop Horace E. Smith is a man gifted with a passion for God's Word coupled with a love for God's people. He has a contagious spirit of generosity that overflows in every
Dr. Thema Bryant
Keynote Speaker: State of the Union on Black Health
Dr. Thema Bryant is the president-elect of the American Psychological Association, the leading scientific and professional organization representing psychology
Lecrae
Keynote Speaker: Transformation Hour
With conversation rising about the number of teens committing suicide, the heightened conversations around mental health awareness and suicide prevention
Sheryl Lee Ralph
Emmy Award Winning Actress Author, Producer, Activist, Los Angeles, CA
From bringing characters to life on screen, performing on Broadway, producing, landing the title of national bestselling author with her literary debut, and her deep rooted philanthropic endeavors which touch lives across the
Charles Jenkins II
Faith Leader, Social Engineer, Entrepreneur, Idea Maker Chicago, IL
Faith Leader, Social Engineer, Entrepreneur, Idea Maker, Communicator, and Friend are just some of the words that describe Charles Jenkins. He is a multi-award winning gospel artist and producer. Jenkins
Rev. Dr. Marcus D. Cosby
Conference Opening Preacher
The Reverend Dr. Marcus D. Cosby serves as the Senior Pastor of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. A proud native of Chicago, Illinois and
Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith
Featured Morning Speaker
Dr. Nunez-Smith is the C.N.H Long Professor of Internal Medicine, Public Health, and Management; Inaugural Associate Dean for Health Equity Research
Rev. Dr. Danielle L. Brown
Saved and filled with the Holy Ghost at an early age, The Reverend Dr. Danielle L. Brown finds great joy and satisfaction in learning, living, and preaching
Joy-Ann Reid
Journalist, MSNBC Political Analyst and Host of “The ReidOut", New York, NY
Joy-Ann Reid is a political analyst at MSNBC and host of "The ReidOut". She is the author of three books: Fracture: Barack Obama, the Clintons and the Racial Divide, We Are the Change We Seek: The Speeches of Barack Obama,
Natalia Kanem, MD
Executive Director, United Nations Population Fund, New York, NY
In a career spanning over three decades, Dr. Natalia Kanem has dedicated her life to improving the health and lives of women and children by championing their rights and choices.
Dayna Johnson , PhD, MPH, MSW, MS
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Epidemiology Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Dayna Johnson, PhD, MPH, MSW, MS, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Epidemiology at Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University. Dr. Johnson is a member of the Cancer Prevention
Girardin Jean-Louis, PhD
Professor, Psychiatry and Neurology University of Miami, Miami FL
Girardin Jean-Louis, Ph.D. is Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami. He is the Director of the Center on Translational Sleep
Hearn Jay Cho, MD, PhD
Chief Medical Officer, Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF), New York, NY
Dr. Hearn J. Cho is Chief Medical Officer of the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation (MMRF) and is responsible for developing the MMRF’s clinical research strategy and accelerating drug
Brenda Curtis, PhD, MSPH
Chief, Technology and Translational Research Unit NIH-National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, MD
Dr. Brenda Curtis is a native of East St. Louis Illinois where she became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and where she began her work in the treatment of substance use
Chef Nikki
Chef-Owner, Nikki's Kitchen, Atlanta, GA Food Network Chopped Champion
Nicole Hicks affectionately known as Chef Nikki is the owner of Nikki’s Kitchen, a Catering and Private Chef Company, founded in April 2017. Chef Nikki graduated from Le Cordon Bleu
Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson
Senior Minister
First AME Church, Seattle, WA
Rev. Dr. Carey G. Anderson is the Senior Minister of First AME Church, Seattle, WA, where he has served since November 2004. Prior to his appointment at FAME, Pastor Anderson was
Rev. Dr. Joshua L. Mitchell
Senior Pastor
31st Street Baptist Church, Richmond, VA
Rev. Dr. Joshua L. Mitchell is the seventh Senior Pastor of the historic Thirty-First Street Baptist Church in Richmond, VA. A native of Baltimore
Dr. Barbara L. Shaw
Chair, Board of Directors The Balm In Gilead Inc., Baltimore, MD
Dr. Barbara Louise Shaw is the Immediate Past International President of The Women’s Home and Overseas Missionary Society of The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. A product of
Pamela Price, RN
Deputy Director
The Balm in Gilead, Inc., Richmond VA
Pamela D. Price currently serves as the Deputy Director for The Balm In Gilead managing the various health initiatives of the organization. Under her leadership, the organization provides
Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC
Director & Senior Associate Dean, Clinical Research Center & Clinical and Translational Research, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA
Dr. Elizabeth Ofili is a Professor of Medicine, at Morehouse School of Medicine, and a practicing cardiologist with Morehouse Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. She serves as Chief
Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, DMin
Director, Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS) New Orleans, LA
Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, D.Min. is the Director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies (IBCS), the first and primary national center for the study of the Black Catholic experience, at Xavier University of Louisiana.
Joshua J. Joseph, MD
Assistant Professor, Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH
Dr. Joshua J. Joseph is an Assistant Professor in Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. He is a proud alumnus of Columbus Alternative
Dr. Nicole Calloway Rankins
Obstetrician Gynecologist, and Podcast host, “All About Pregnancy & Birth”, Richmond, VA
Dr. Nicole C. Rankins is an obstetrician-gynecologist, creator and host of the “All About Pregnancy & Birth” podcast. With over 1.25 million downloads, it has helped thousands
Rev. Dr. Obery M. Hendricks
Adjunct Professor, Religion, African American and African Diaspora Studies, Columbia University, New York, NY
A lifelong social activist, Rev. Dr. Obery Hendricks is one of the foremost commentators on the intersection of religion and political economy in America. His recent book, Christians Against
Rev. Dr. Renita Weems
Minister, Biblical Scholar, Maker, and Author Nashville, TN
Dr. Renita J. Weems is a biblical scholar, a minister, and an author whose scholarly insights into modern faith, biblical texts, and the role of spirituality in everyday lives has made her a highly
Marsha B. Henderson
Former Assistant Commissioner for Women's Health U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Washington, DC
Marsha B. Henderson is a nationally recognized innovative leader and change agent for the health of women and their families. As the former Associate Commissioner for Women's Health
The Right Reverend Lawrence L. Reddick III
The Senior Bishop, The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Memphis, TN
Bishop Lawrence Reddick, the 51st bishop elected in the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church, has been presiding bishop of the Eighth Episcopal District since July 2014. Born June
The Right Reverend Adam J. Richardson
The Senior Bishop, The African Methodist Episcopal Church Nashville, TN
Adam Jefferson Richardson, Jr. was elected and consecrated the 115th Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in 1996 at Louisville, Kentucky. As a bishop, he has served
The Right Reverend Teresa Jefferson-Snorton
Chair, National Council of Churches Ecumenical Bishop, The Christian Methodist Episcopal Church Birmingham, AL
Bishop Teresa Jefferson-Snorton is committed to serving God and the needs of you and your family. Rev. Dr. Jefferson-Snorton is a pastor, preacher, teacher, chaplain, author and executive
The Right Reverend Kenneth Monroe
The Senior Bishop, The African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church Charlotte, NC
The Rev. Dr. Kenneth Monroe began his life and ministry in the small town of Red Springs, NC. He received his elementary and secondary education from the public schools of Red Springs. He
Cherisse Scott
Founder and CEO, SisterReach Memphis, TN
Cherisse Scott the founder and director of reproductive justice advocacy and education group SisterReach, the only reproductive justice organization in Tennessee that works to
Fallon S. Wilson, PhD
Co-Founder and Lead Investigator, Black Tech Futures Research Institute, Nashville, TN
Through her work with non-profits, academia, and government partnerships, Dr. Fallon S. Wilson strives to make visible the work of historic and modern-day Black crises solvers. She
Nicci Gilbert-Daniels
Lead Vocalist, Brownstone Founder/President, WIRF Media Atlanta, GA
Nicci Gilbert-Daniels, founding member of the Grammy nominated group Brownstone, is one of television’s most sought after executive producers. As the CEO of WIRF MEDIA , an
Leisha McKinley-Beach, MPH
National HIV/AIDS Consultant Atlanta, GA
Leisha McKinley-Beach is a self-employed public health consultant who focuses on HIV/AIDS. She earned a Master of Public Health degree from the University of West Florida and conducts
Tori Cooper
Director, Community Engagement for Transgender Justice Initiative; Human Rights Campaign, Atlanta, GA
Tori Cooper is a health and equity advocate, community organizer, educator, published author and leader in the transgender and HIV communities. She leads with more than 30 years of
Richard D. King, MD, PhD
Associate Professor, Neurology University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY
Richard D. King, MD, PhD, is Associate Professor of Neurology at University of Kentucky in Lexington, KY. He is a board-certified neurologist with specialty training in cognitive disorders,
Fayron Epps, PhD, RN
Assistant Professor and Director of Community Engagement & Research School of Nursing, Emory University, Atlanta, GA
Fayron Epps, PhD, RN, is a nurse with over 20 years of experience and is currently serving as an assistant professor and the Director of Community and Research Engagement in the Office of
Dr. John Paul McGee
Assistant Chair, Berklee College of Music Boston, MA
Raised in Baltimore, Maryland, John Paul McGee, at the age of four without formal training, began playing familiar hymns and church songs by ear. Aware of his special gift, Dr. McGee's
Floyd Willis, MD
Assistant Professor and Consultant of Family Medicine
Dr. Willis obtained his medical degree from the Morehouse School of Medicine in 1986 after graduating from Yale College in 1982 with a B.S. degree in Biology. He completed the Mayo
Rogers Cain, MD, PharmD
Family Medicine Physician, Private Practice
Dr. Rogers Cain has been in private practice as a Family Practice Physician in North Jacksonville for over 30 years. Dr. Cain graduated from FAMU School of Pharmacy and was in the first class
Keith H. Newby, MD
President and CEO of Fort Norfolk Medical Associates & Medical Director of Health Equity for Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, Virginia
Dr. Keith Newby, a renowned Cardiologist, is President and CEO of Fort Norfolk Medical Associates and serves as the Medical Director of Health Equity for Sentara Healthcare a large
Iris J. Lundy, MHL, BSN, RN
Senior Director, Health Equity Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, Virginia
Iris Lundy is the Senior Director of Health Equity for Sentara Healthcare, a large integrated delivery network health system with over 30,000 team members serving Virginia and
Sheri Prentiss, MD, MPH, CSP®
Proven visionary, Best-selling author
Dr. Sheri Prentiss is a proven visionary, best-selling author, and highly sought-after physician leader. Since 2017, she has served as Chief Medical Officer and Public Health Lead at CIEN+ to
Deanna Darlington
Advocacy Relations Professional
Deanna Darlington is an Advocacy Relations Professional with more than 25 years of experience in government and external affairs, patient advocacy, policy, reimbursement consulting, and
Don Chaney
Former Professional Basketball Player and Coach living with ATTR-CM
Don Chaney is a former NBA player and coach, a husband, father, and grandfather living with hereditary transthyretin amyloid cardiomyopathy (or ATTR-CM). In 2019, he was caught off
Isha Williams
Head Culturally Inclusive & Relevant Marketing
Isha Williams is the Head of Culturally Inclusive & Relevant (CIR) Marketing for The Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson and Johnson. As part of the Patient Engagement and Customer Solutions
Richard Browne, MD
Medical Director CV Strategy
Richard Browne, MD FACC is the Senior Medical Executive for Cardiovascular Integration in Janssen Cardiovascular and Metabolism Medical Affairs. His work focuses on collaboration with
Keisha Dabrowski
Global Leader, Health Equity Communications Johnson & Johnson
Diversity, equity, & inclusion (DEI) champion, ESG integrator, communications and marketing expert, brand strategist and community engagement professional are just a few words used to
Lionel Phillips, MBA
President and CEO Inside Edge Consulting Group
Lionel began his career in the healthcare space as a pharmaceutical representative in the Bronx, New York, where he also lived for most of his childhood. Over the course of 20 years, he forged
Kimberly Alexander
CEO and Founder, Level Health Agency
Kimberly Alexander is the CEO and founder of Level Health Agency, a health communications firm focused on reducing health disparities. In 2010 she lost her husband, retired NFL linebacker
Yelak Biru
President & CEO, International Myeloma Foundation (IMF)
IMF Patient, President & CEO Yelak Biru drives the organization’s mission of improving the quality of life of myeloma patients while working toward prevention and a cure. He sees his role as a way “to pay it
Dr. Sherry Blake
Clinical Psychologists, Media Personality, and Mental Health Expert
Dr. Sherry Blake is a licensed clinical psychologist with over 30 years and over 100,000 hours of direct and indirect service. She works with everyone from top celebrities in the entertainment,
Rita Lazenby
Patient Education Liaison Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Rita is a nurse by training and has worked in the healthcare industry for 30 years, with the last 7 years spent as a patient educator and pharmaceutical liaison. Her experiences have provided her
Nicole Cyrille-Superville, MD
Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist Associate Director of Heart Failure for the Atrium Health Southern Region Atrium Health
Dr. Superville is an Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiologist, has a specific interest in amyloidosis, and is experienced in managing patients with hATTR amyloidosis. She currently
Olajide Williams, MD
Professor of Neurology; Chief of Staff of the Department of Neurology Associate Dean of Community Research and Engagement, Columbia University
Dr Olajide Williams obtained his medical degree from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and a Master’s degree from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health in New York. He
Folakemi Odedina, PhD
Professor of Oncology; Enterprise Deputy Director for Community Outreach & Engagement, Mayo Clinic Comprehensive Cancer Center; Assoc. Director, Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research (CHCR); Director, CHCR Global Health Equity Initiatives
Prof. Folakemi Odedina is the Assoc. Director for the Center for Health Equity and Community Engagement Research (CHCR), site Director of CHCR Florida, and Director of Global Health Equity
Kim Barbel Johnson, MD, MPH
Family Medicine Physician and Community Clinical Trial Physician Scientist
Dr. Kim M. Barbel Johnson is community-centric, patient-focused, Florida licensed physician and Principal Research Investigator with years of proven clinical and research experience. Over
Obu Egbuna, MD, MSC, FASN
Vice President, Clinical Development Vertex
Dr. Ogo Egbuna is a passionate physician scientist with nearly two decades of clinical, academic, and drug development experience. Originally from West Africa, he completed medical school at
Vanessa L. Hill, MFA, MPH
Founder and Executive Director of Project Nana, Inc., & Health Equity Project Manager for Sentara Healthcare, Norfolk, Virginia
Vanessa L. Hill, MFA, MPH is an author, filmmaker, program development consultant, a women’s health and aging advocate and researcher. She has previously served in academia,
Yaw Nyame, MD, MS, MBA
Assistant Professor, Affiliate Member and OCOE Program Lead at Fred Hutch
Dr. Nyame attended medical school at the Feinberg School of Medicine at Northwestern University and business school at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern
Leah Szumita, MS, RN, ACNS-BC
Director of the Clinical Trial Support Center The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
In her role as Director of the Clinical Trial Support Center, Leah Szumita supports The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s efforts to educate and support patients and caregivers affected
Mel Mann, MBA, M.ED
Chronic Myeloid Leukemia survivor; Clinical Trials Advocate
Mel was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia in January 1995 and given three years to live. The only possible hope for survival was a bone marrow transplant.
The Right Reverend W. Darin Moore
Presiding Prelate, Mid-Atlantic Episcopal District The African Methodist Episcopal Church
Bishop Moore is a native of Mt. Vernon, NY and began his college education at Livingstone College, graduating from Purchase College, in Purchase, NY with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.
The Right Reverend Silvester S. Beaman
Presiding Prelate, 15th Episcopal District, The African Methodist Episcopal Church
On July 11, 2021, during the General Conference, Dr. Beaman was elected and consecrated as the 139th Bishop in the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Orlando, Florida. He has been assigned to serve the
Dolvett Quince
Self development coach, author, movement expert Podcast host, “WORKOUT THE DOUBT”, Los Angeles, CA
Known for six seasons on the hit NBC show “The Biggest Loser,” Dolvett is proving that his passion, regimen and dramatic transformational results are making him one of the most in-demand fitness specialists in the country.
Wafaa El-Sadr, MD
Executive Vice President, Columbia Global; Professor, Epidemiology and Medicine, and Director of ICAP, Columbia University, New York, NY
Wafaa El-Sadr is Executive Vice President for Columbia Global, University Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine, Director of ICAP at Columbia University, Director of Columbia World Projects and the
Victoria A. Smalls
Executive Director, Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission, Beaufort, SC
A recipient of the 2022 US President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest civilian honor awarded in the United States for volunteer service, Victoria A. Smalls is the Executive Director of the Gullah Geechee
Rev. Dr. John W. Kinney
Former Dean, Samuel DeWitt School of Theology, Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA
An Elder-Sage, Wisdom-Keeper Among Us, Rev. Dr. John Kinney has devoted himself to the pursuit of excellence in theological training and ministerial preparation and has dis¬tinguished himself as a
Cary L. Goodman
Program and Development Consultant The Balm In Gilead, Inc., Richmond, VA
Cary L. Goodman, a native of Richmond, VA, has a sincere passion to empower faith communities nationally to operate at their fullest capacity in areas of health promotion, advocacy programs, outreach
Saidi Mpendu, MD
Country Director, The Balm In Gilead – Tanzania
Saidi Mpendu, MD, MPH, is the Country Director of The Balm In Gilead – Tanzania. Dr. Mpendu also serves as Deputy Chairperson of Institutional Review Board (IRB) @ Ifakara Health Institute (IHI) and his
Rev. Raynol Matthys
Presiding Elder of Paarl District
Pastor, St. Joseph AME Church, Boland Conference
Paarl, Cape Town, South Africa
TBA
Don O. Rowe, MD, FACC
Board Certified Internal Medicine, Board Certified in Cardiovascular Disease Invasive Cardiologist North Atlanta Heart and Vascular Center, PC
TBA
Rimsky Denis, MD, MPH, MBA
Fellow - Interventional and Structural Cardiology Johns Hopkins University, Johns Hopkins Hospital
Rimsky Denis is an interventional and structural cardiology fellow at the Johns Hopkins Hospital. Rimsky holds a masters degree in public health with a concentration in disease prevention, and a masters degree
Kevin Sneed, PharmD, FNAP, FNPHA
Dean, USF Health Taneja College of Pharmacy
Dr. Kevin B. Sneed is a tenured Professor and the founding Dean of the University of South Florida Taneja College of Pharmacy. He also serves as a Senior Associate Vice-President for USF Health. Dr. Sneed
Andre Artis, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FAHA, MBA
Medical Director
Methodist Hospitals, Inc.
Heart and Vascular Institute
Dr. Andre K. Artis is a general and interventional cardiologist in Merrillville, Indiana and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Methodist Hospitals and St. Mary Medical Center-Hobart. He
Tyler Hanson, JD
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs Biogen
Tyler Hanson serves as the Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs at Biogen. In her role, she represents Biogen on a variety of health care issues in Congress, with an emphasis on biosimilars and
Jonathan Buckner, Esq
Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs (Midwest Region) Biogen
Jonathan Buckner, Esq is Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs (Midwest Region) at Biogen. In his current role, Jonathan leads Biogen’s day-to-day State and Local Public Policy, and Government Affairs
Hani Houshyar, PhD
Vice President, PDC Lead Zuranolone Product Development and Commercialization
Hani Houshyar is Vice President, PDC Lead Zuranolone at Biogen. In this role, she oversees the Zuranolone PDC and commercial teams accountable for driving Biogen’s pipeline assets toward global
Freda Lewis-Hall, MD
Clinician, Educator, Researcher, Leader in Biopharmaceuticals and Life Sciences Industries
During her 35-year career in medicine, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall has been on the frontlines of health care as a clinician, researcher, and leader in the biopharmaceuticals and life sciences industries. An award-winning
Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson
John E. Hines Asst Professor of Preaching Seminary of the Southwest, Austin, TX
The Rev. Dr. Dominique A. Robinson, a New Jersey native, is a millennial Womanist homiletician and justice advocate. Reared in the Pentecostal tradition, she answered her call to