2019 Speakers & Presenters
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Rev. Shane B. Scott
Senior Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Los Angeles, CA Since November 2011, Rev. Shane B. Scott has served as the senior pastor of the historic Macedonia Baptist Church located in Los Angeles, CA that has served the Watts Community for more than 100 years. [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Dr. Rayvann Kee II
Owner and Principle Psychologist at EmpowerMeant Counseling, Coaching, and Consulting, LLC Dr. Rayvann Kee II has over 15 years of experience working in the fields of human services, mental and behavioral health, and leadership development. Currently, he is the owner and principle psychologist [...]
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 [...]
Reverend Dr. Nathaniel T. Brooks
Senior Pastor of the Greater Saint John Baptist Church, Birmingham, VA Brimming with optimism and enthusiasm are just a few words that describe this servant of the highest God. Reverend Dr. Nathaniel T. Brooks is passionate about teaching, preaching, and spreading the Gospel [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
Cynthia Finch
Licensed Master of Social Work and a Certified Case Manager Cynthia Finch is a graduate of the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, TN, with a Bachelor of Arts, in Human Services and Master’s in Social Work Administration and Planning. She is a Licensed [...]
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 [...]
Eric Smith
6th International President of the Assembly of Christian Educators Eric Smith received his religious and spiritual foundation at his home church of Scotland A.M.E. Zion Church in Potomac, MD. Christian Education has always been is anchor and passion in kingdom service. Eric currently [...]
Dr. Donna Carstens
Respiratory Medical Director in US Medical Affairs at Glaxo Smith Kline in Philadelphia, PA Dr. Donna Carstens is a Respiratory Medical Director in US Medical Affairs at Glaxo Smith Kline in Philadelphia, PA. She is involved in clinical trial diversity, clinical trials and [...]
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 [...]
Jonathan Jackson, PhD
Founding Director Community Access, Recruitment, and Engagement (CARE) Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School Jonathan Jackson, PhD, is the founding director of the Community Access, Recruitment, and Engagement (CARE) Research Center at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, [...]
Claudia Hardy, MPA
Claudia Hardy, MPA, is the Program Director for the office of Community Outreach at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Comprehensive Cancer Center where she also serves as the Community Health Educator.
Rahkal E. Shelton
Registered Respiratory Therapist at Saint Anthony Hospital in Chicago Rahkal E. Shelton graduated in 2000 from Malcolm X College’s respiratory therapy program, earning an AAS degree. She later attended Chicago State University where she earned her BS in Sociology. Currently Ms. Shelton works [...]
Geraldine Peacock
Critical Care Nurse Geraldine Peacock, a Critical Care Nurse by profession, worked at Rush University Medical Center, for forty-five years. Her employment also included representing Rush University through a contract in collaboration with John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital as the Coordinator of Research [...]
Al Richmond
Al Richmond, MSW, Executive Director of Community-Campus Partnerships for Health (CCPH), is a global thought leader advocating for the increased role of communities in research and public health. In his role as Executive Director of CCPH, Al is advancing the organization’s commitment to social [...]
Dr. Joyce Balls-Berry
Joyce (Joy) Balls-Berry, Ph.D. is a Senior Associate Consultant, Mayo Clinic Axil School of Medicine and Assistant Professor of Epidemiology. Previously, she was the co-lead for the Mayo Clinic Center for Clinical and Translational Science Community Engagement Program and served as the Program Manager [...]
Rev. Debra Hickman
Rev. Debra Hickman is the co-founder of Sisters Together And Reaching, Inc. (STAR) - a faith-based, non-profit, community-based organization that provides spiritual support and direct services and prevention education to HIV/AIDS infected, affected and at-risk African-Americans. Since its inception, she has served STAR [...]