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 of providing vision and leadership in areas of technical support to strengthen the capacity of faith institutions in the United States and Africa to eradicate health disparities by promoting health education and services within their local communities.

Born in the heart of the south, this Lincolnville native always shares a special love for South Carolina. Dr. Seele received her Bachelor of Science degree and Master of Science from Clark Atlanta University in 1976 & 1979, respectively, later receiving her Doctor of Humane Letters from the College of New Rochelle, NY, in 2007.

As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health and faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Time Magazine 100 named Dr. Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35th Anniversary issue, named Dr. Seele one of the 35 Most Beautiful and Remarkable Women In The World. Clark Atlanta University honored Dr. Seele with the 2008 Pathway of Excellence Award, citing her as one of its most outstanding graduates of all time. In May 2010, Dr. Seele was selected as one of the 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.

In October 2017, His Eminence, Timothy Michael Cardinal Dolan, Archbishop of New York, bestowed the Pierre Toussaint Medallion upon Dr. Seele.

Dr. Seele published her first book, Stand Up to Stigma! How to Reject Fear & Shame in 2017, and is an honorary member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Kim Coles is an award-winning actress, comedian, author, speaker, coach, and the Producer and Co-Host of the hit podcast ReLiving Single. With a career spanning over three decades, she is best known for her iconic role as the quirky, lovable Synclaire James-Jones on the 90s sitcom Living Single.

Before her television stardom, Kim was a sought-after stand-up comedian. Her unique blend of humor, heart, and healing has been her signature across all platforms, including guest roles on Frasier and In Living Color.

Today, Kim is a purpose-driven powerhouse and a transformational storytelling coach. Through her bestselling books, live events, and online programs, she empowers entrepreneurs and leaders to Broadcast Their Brilliance, using their lived experiences to connect, convert, and make a legacy-level impact. She mentors speakers in her Story & Stage Society and co-hosts ReLiving Single with Erika Alexander, always leading with joy, wisdom, and her bold belief that every story matters.

Dr. Richard Browne grew up on the island of St. Croix in the United States Virgin Islands. He graduated cum laude from Boston University School of Medicine. He then completed an internship and residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the major teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School. He remained on staff as a physician at Harvard Medical School before completing his fellowship in cardiovascular medicine at the University of Virginia, where he served as chief cardiology fellow in his final year.

After finishing his fellowship in cardiology, he began his career as an invasive cardiologist in Charlotte, North Carolina and had the privilege of taking care of thousands of cardiac patients over decades. Later on, he became a medical executive at Johnson and Johnson, where he led an important campaign "Save Legs, Change Lives" which was created to reduce the rate of leg amputations in people of color. Dr. Browne's passion to save legs is driven by a personal experience. His father in law, who lived with diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD), lost both of his legs and one arm to amputation and then died at a young age, never getting to meet his grandson, Richard Jr. Raising awareness, educating others and getting more people screened for PAD is now part of Dr. Browne's lifelong mission.

Bishop Daran H. Mitchell is the 108th Bishop in the line of succession of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church and the Presiding Prelate of the Midwest Episcopal District, where he leads and oversees the Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, and Trinidad and Tobago Annual Conferences since his election, consecration, and assignment at the 52nd Quadrennial Session of the General Conference of the A.M.E. Zion Church, July 27, 2024. A dedicated servant leader, engaging preacher, justice activist, ecumenist, and educator, Bishop Mitchell has devoted nearly four decades to serving God and God’s people.

For thirty years, Bishop Mitchell pastored AME Zion congregations in Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, and New York, among them Foundation A.M.E. Zion Church in Rock Hill, South Carolina; St. James A.M.E. Zion Church in Goldsboro, North Carolina; First A.M.E. Zion Church in Brooklyn, New York; and, for twelve years before his elevation to the episcopacy, Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church in Greensboro, North Carolina. His pastoral leadership has always reached beyond the sanctuary. In Brooklyn, he served as Vice President of Brooklyn Congregations Together and on the Board of Directors of the Harriet Tubman Home; in Greensboro, he served as Director of Religious Affairs for the Greensboro Branch of the NAACP, President of the Pulpit Forum of Greensboro and Vicinity, a member of the Executive Committee of the Greensboro Faith Leaders’ Council, and a board member of the Interactive Resource Center.

A committed educator, Bishop Mitchell has taught at Hood Theological Seminary since 2014, where he serves as Affiliate Faculty in Pastoral Theology (Preaching). His courses range from Prophetic Preaching and The Jazz of Preaching to A.M.E. Zion Polity and Governance and Doctor of Ministry work in Preaching and Leadership; in 2018, he served as the seminary’s Interim Director of Supervised Ministry and Interim Director of Chapel. He has also taught at New Brunswick Theological Seminary, North Carolina Wesleyan College, Mount Olive College, and United Christian College. For many years, he chaired Boards of Conference Examiners in the New York, West Central North Carolina, and Jamaica Annual Conferences (A.M.E. Zion Church), preparing candidates for ordained ministry.

Bishop Mitchell is married to the Reverend L. Lynn Kennedy Mitchell. They are the proud parents of the Reverend Caylen Mitchell, a daughter-in-love, Alexis, and now grandparents of a newborn granddaughter, Carter.

Rachel is an author, community leader, and Founder and Executive Director of The Right Shoes, Inc., a Virginia-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preparing, empowering, and transforming lives. With more than 15 years of experience spanning healthcare, public health, and community development, Rachel has dedicated her career to building partnerships, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Her leadership includes advancing statewide brain health initiatives, developing educational programs, and championing approaches that address the needs of individuals and communities. Through The Right Shoes and its signature TRS Framework™ (Transform • Rise • Serve), Rachel continues her commitment to helping people navigate life's transitions, recognize their potential, and move forward with purpose and confidence.

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 support to faith institutions in areas of program design, implementation, and evaluation, which strengthen their capacity to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities. In addition to her role as Deputy Director, she also serves as the Director for The National Brain Health Center for African-Americans.

As the Center’s director, she co-developed a six-part educational curriculum for nurses and allied healthcare professionals aimed at addressing knowledge gaps related to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias affecting African Americans. She also co-authored and facilitates an accredited training for healthcare providers and clinicians, aimed at increasing cultural competencies related to the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia in African Americans among providers.

Mrs. Price holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health and has more than 20 years of experience in public health, epidemiology, and healthcare. She has served as a member of the U.S. Army Nurse Corp and excelled in both government and non-governmental agencies, providing leadership and guidance on program management, quality improvement, and project development. Mrs. Price has conducted hundreds of training sessions across the country with various nursing associations, healthcare organizations, and conferences.

Cary L. Goodman, a native of Richmond, VA, has a sincere passion to empower faith communities to operate at their fullest capacity in areas of health promotion, advocacy programs, outreach, and development. For over 16 years, he has been dedicated to establishing and expanding health programs across the United States by building the capacity to address health disparities that greatly impact congregations and the communities they serve by strategically leveraging faith-based and community partnerships to impact sustainability.

Currently, Cary is a Program & Strategic Development Consultant for The Balm In Gilead, Inc., where he works diligently at the intersection of faith and public health nationally to address the burden of various diseases that impact African American communities. A highly skilled strategist and national speaker adept at leading relationship building and engagement opportunities, he has forged various faith-based and public health community partnerships and coalitions. With a sincere passion to empower black men, Cary founded Black Men’s Wholeness, an initiative designed to engage black men in conversations focused on areas that reassure wholeness, such as trauma, emotional and mental health, and fatherlessness.

An ordained minister, Cary deems himself a “connector” where he focuses on the significance of outreach and engagement, establishing coalitions, collaborating, and relationship building in order to increase accessibility and sustainability to strengthen congregations and communities.

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