


About Our Conference
Who We Are
For 30 years: The Balm In Gilead, Inc. builds and strengthens the capacity of African-American faith communities to deliver programs and services that contribute to the elimination of health disparities.
What We Do
Healthy Churches 2020 National Conference is the leading training conference for establishing and sustaining Health Ministries for congregations serving African Americans.
Our Goals
Increase an understanding of concepts and models of disease management to improve the quality of life for African- Americans with chronic health conditions.
2019 Speakers Include
Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D.
Presenter Bishop Horace Smith, M.D. Senior Pastor, Apostolic Faith Church Assistant Professor of Pediatrics Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine Chicago, IL Bishop Horace E. Smith, M.D. is a man gifted with a passion for God’s Word coupled with a love for God’s people. He has [...]
Bishop James B. Walker
The Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church. Bishop James B. Walker is the Presiding Prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal (C.M.E.) Church. Bishop Walker was elected the 56th bishop of the C.M.E. Church at [...]
Cookie Johnson
Devoted Philanthropist and Passionate Spokesperson Cookie Johnson, is a devoted philanthropist and a passionate spokesperson. Cookie is founder of CJ by Cookie Johnson, a premium denim line. Now she is a NY Times Best-selling author of “Believing in Magic.” The Michigan State University graduate lives with [...]
Kafui Dzirasa, MD, PhD
Associate Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, NC Kafui Dzirasa was born to Samuel and Abigail Dzirasa, who grew up as neighbors in an area outside of Accra, Ghana. His father came to the US in 1971 when he was accepted into the [...]
Reverend Dr. Renita J. Weems
Biblical Scholar, a Writer, an Ordained Minister, and a Public Intellectual Reverend Dr. Renita J. Weems is a biblical scholar, a writer, an ordained minister, and a public intellectual whose scholarly insights into modern faith, biblical texts, and the role of spirituality in everyday lives make [...]
Dr. Khaalida T. Forbes
Presenter Dr. Khaalida-Forbes Founder and Chief Executive Officer Metamorphosis Enterprises, Atlanta, GA Dr. Khaalida T. Forbes, MSW, DMIN is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Metamorphosis Enterprises, Atlanta, GA. As a native of New York, Dr. Forbes holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from [...]
Rev. Paul Abernathy
Presenter Rev. Paul Abernathy Pastor, St. Moses Orthodox Christian Mission Father Paul Abernathy is an Orthodox Christian priest and the Director of FOCUS Pittsburgh, an Orthodox Christian non-profit focused on Trauma Informed Community Development located in the Hill District, Pittsburgh Pa. He has B.A. in International [...]
Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH
Obesity Medicine Physician Scientist, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, MPA, FAAP, FACP, FTOS is an obesity medicine physician scientist who cares for children, adolescents, and adults at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School (HMS). [...]
Malik Yoba
Actor, Writer and Entrepreneur Born in the South Bronx and raised in Harlem, Malik Yoba offers almost three decades of commitment to the arts and his credits include over fifty films and more than a dozen roles in network/cable television series. His debut in Disney’s Cool [...]
Suzette Oyeku, MD, MPH
Chief of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM) Suzette Oyeku MD, MPH is Chief of the Division of Academic General Pediatrics at the Children’s Hospital at Montefiore (CHAM).She is a Professor of Pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. [...]
Rev. Samuel L. Green, Jr.
Director of Christian Education for the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church Rev. Samuel L. Green, Jr. is an emerging prophetic and encouraging voice in the Kingdom of God. He is one who has been called and sent by God with a unique and fresh [...]
Dr. Marsha B. Henderson
Former Associate Commissioner for Women’s Health at the Food and Drug Administration 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 at the Food and Drug Administration, [...]
“Thank you to Healthy Churches 2020 for a brilliant conference. The speakers were not only experienced professionals they knew how to present accessibly and with passion, the preaching was motivating and the exhibition hall was filled with resources that were useful.”
“Simply put; this is the greatest conference for anyone who works in healthcare, church-related health ministries, or health advocacy! Mark your calendar and be there! “
2019
