Joanne Mitchell-McLaren is a Lifelong Patient Advocate and Educator, Clinical Expert and Rare Disease Specialist. Her overall goal is to prepare and provide patients and caregivers with the awareness, support and education they need as it relates to their health. She has provided tools, education and encouragement that patients need to feel confident to have courageous conversations with their health care providers; in hopes to empower them to make the best decision and to use their voice to advocate for themselves.

Patient advocacy is her birth right. She believe the greatest gift one can provide is the gift of a servant, especially to those with vulnerabilities in our community regardless of their diagnosis, neighborhood one resides in or any other health disparity reason.

Lawrence C. Harris is a nationally recognized Youth Empowerment Speaker with a dynamic voice for teens and young adults facing self-doubt, insecurity, and internal barriers. Through his powerful lived experience—overcoming childhood abuse, Autism, and complex PTSD—Lawrence has helped thousands of young people build unshakable self-worth and rise above challenges that once held them back.

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 38 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 & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Time Magazine 100, who named Dr. Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35 Anniversary issue, named Dr. P 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 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.

Dr. Seele is well known for her extraordinary vision and ability to create national and global partnerships among leaders of various cultures and religious doctrines in the areas of health. As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions.

She has worked with three US presidential administrations on issues of health in the United States and abroad. Dr. Seele was an invited guest of former President and First Lady Laura Bush for the State of the Union Address representing a symbol of President Bush’s commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2010, Dr. Seele was invited to participate in the Fortune TIME CNN Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, along with President William “Bill” Clinton and a host of international leaders and Fortune 100 chief executive officers to focus on challenges and solutions in the developing world.

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

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

Kaye Woodard is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & Co-Founder of Livalytics, Inc. - a system that combines biometric analytics and health insights to help businesses and individuals achieve measurable performance improvements.

Her experience includes leading process improvements that deliver measurable results—most notably, playing a key role in launching the iconic Redbox video 'robot,' which transformed video rental through automation and logistics innovation. This experience reinforced her belief in the power of technology to enhance customer experience while improving business performance.

Building on this expertise, she designed Livalytics. Livalytics reflects her commitment to data-driven optimization, empowering organizations to support healthier, more productive teams while maximizing their return on investment.

Tanya Simmons Reid is a visionary leader, communications strategist and mental health advocate. In 2018, she founded Skyrocket Communications, Inc. to help organizations "rise brilliantly" in their ability to serve clients, customers and communities. Under her leadership, Skyrocket Communications also produces signature events and apparel that spark awareness, drive change and foster meaningful conversations.

With a distinguished career spanning communications, marketing, business development, branding, sales, donor engagement, media relations and event management, Tanya has built a reputation for delivering innovative solutions that amplify impact and achieve measurable success.

Committed to addressing mental health disparities in Black and Hispanic communities, Tanya launched the SoundMinds Mental Health Awareness & Solutions Conference on July 15, 2021. Held annually during Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, this advocacy initiative brings critical conversations to the forefront and provides actionable solutions for individuals, families and communities.

Tanya Simmons Reid, a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, continues to inspire, advocate and elevate businesses and communities. In all things, she is a Kingdom representative who is a wife and mother of four.

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.

Delores Fedrick is a multifaceted public health leader with over 50 years of pharmaceutical and medical sales, grant writing, nonprofit administration & public health literacy experience. She is the author of The Complete Guide to Developing Nutritional Skills: A One-Stop Dietary Solution for the Entire Family and Diverse Literacy Levels (First and Second Editions). She is passionate about ensuring everyone has adequate information to live healthy lives. 

Bio of Janet M. Taylor, Owner, Totally Organized, Inc. 

For the past 28 years, I have been assisting clients in creating a space that attracts more abundance, love, and happiness in their lives. My expertise includes transforming cluttered rooms into functional and creative spaces, organizing the personal and professional spaces of executives, and downsizing offices.

As a speaker, I have presented at the Philadelphia Home Show and conducted workshops at the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers’ Annual Conference. In 2020, I gave a webinar for a corporate client in New York that was attended by over 600 people.

I have also hosted and produced the weekly podcast “Got Clutter? Get Organized with Janet” for over a decade, which has received over 1,000,000 downloads and was ranked the Number 2 Organizing Podcast. The show covers a variety of topics, including how to get organized before getting married, how to be an organized pet owner, and how to organize your pantry for better health.

In addition to my speaking and podcasting experiences, I have appeared in two episodes of HGTV’s “Mission: Organization” and was featured on “The Rachael Ray Show” as “The Clutter Free Queen.” My work has also been featured in various publications and I have been a guest on several podcasts.

I am excited to be your partner on your journey towards living an organized life.

Craig Ascue is a humble visionary leader, entrepreneur, and community builder rooted in the Gullah Geechee heritage of Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina. As CEO of Ascue’s Paint and Body Shop, a second-generation collision repair business founded by his father in 1968, Craig blends tradition, technical excellence, and team leadership. Since taking the helm in 1995 after graduating from South Carolina State University with a degree in Marketing, Craig grew the company’s revenues, maintained consistent profitability, and in 2007 relocated operations to a 10,000 sq. ft. modern facility. Craig did this while assisting his father in developing the now Ascues Automotive Complex in Mt Pleasant, S.C. His team of 16 technicians and administrative professionals continues to uphold a reputation for integrity, excellence, and community commitment as they repair cars daily. They have been consistently voted Best Body Shop in Mt Pleasant, S.C. for several years.

In 2020, Craig found Ascue Capital to explore and formalize the family-rooted model of entrepreneurship he witnessed growing up. Ascue Capital operates at the intersection of community wealth-building and cultural legacy, examining how Gullah Geechee communities created capital through Church, School, Home, and Business.

Craig resides in the historic Ten Mile community of Awendaw, SC, where family, faith, and legacy are central. He has been married for 26 years to Tanya Ascue, and together they are raising a family of three daughters and one beloved granddaughter, ages 18, 22, 26, and 5. The family loves to travel, spend time together, and experience great times that enhance the ties that bind them.

Tiffany D. Pogue, PhD (she/her/hers) is a life coach that incorporates the use of Black History, Black Culture, and Black Spirituality to support women in their defining and acquisition of holistic success. College dropout turned Black PhD, Tiffany knows first-hand how the knowledge of our cultural legacy can change our lives for the better. 

Currently, she serves as the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs and an Associate Professor of Teacher Education at Albany State University.   Pogue received her PhD from Emory University in Educational Studies.  As a proud HBCU graduate and administrator, her research interests include Black Educational History and Philosophy, Black Literacy Traditions, and Community-School Engagement.  Tiffany believes that through a critical exploration and examination of history, scholars and activists can collaboratively craft a narrative of hope, and plans for, the improvement of society. Her current work examines the role of Black women’s literacy in the practices of Black spirituality, Black educational activism, and HBCU First Year Experience programming. 

S. Darlene Cheek is an extraordinary Executive Administrator with a gazillion years of administrative experience. She graduated from North Carolina Central University in Durham, NC with a bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in Music. She moved to New York and has held many roles: Caseworker for the Department of Child Abuse and Neglect, Transitional Housing Social Work Supervisor and Director, and numerous temporary positions. She joined The Balm In Gilead, Inc. during the inception of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in the Harlem Community unifying churches and communities around this disease. She held many positions at the Balm: Executive Assistant, Director, Creator of the Book Store and Resource Library and an consultant for more than 20+ years. She also worked with the first NYS HIV/AIDS testing site located in and run by the church, New Hope Community Church. And for fun, Darlene likes to do community outreach and sing! She's a woman of faith, integrity and holds very dear, her friends and family.

Derin Lindsey is an established Branding, Marketing and Creative Entrepreneur. He is the Founder and President of For Black Men's Health Inc. Derin is a wellness advocate dedicated to educating and empowering men of color to prioritize their health.

Tyza Brister is the Church Administrator at Beacon Light International Baptist Cathedral in New Orleans, LA where her father Bishop Darryl S. Brister is the pastor.

She is a mother, a creative, a former athlete and mental health advocate.

Nolly Swan is a recent graduate of the Clemson University Master's of Science in Historic Preservation program at the Clemson Design Center in Charleston, South Carolina. She is originally from the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. This May, she published her graduate thesis titled "A Comparative Analysis of Cultural Preservation Focused Land-Use Regulations within the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor of South Carolina."

Below is a link to her thesis statement:

https://open.clemson.edu/all_theses/4473/

Transformation Specialist Dionne Jones is all about that balanced life! Dionne is Founder and Owner of Age with Vibrancy, LLC, based in Cleveland, Ohio. Age with Vibrancy, LLC “meets women where they are, and takes them to where they deserve to be in their lives.” Dionne takes the whole-body approach to helping women thrive. Get ready to strip away all of the self-doubt and negativity, and find YOU again!

Shyla K. Fields is a devoted wife, mother, and dynamic force for change. As a gifted community organizer, she has spent her career fostering inclusivity and collaboration across diverse communities. She currently serves as the Director of the Health Across the Lifecourse (HeAL) Research Area at the Heersink School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she leads efforts to advance equitable health outcomes through research and community engagement. 

Hetlena Johnson is a Patient Advocate, Author, Community Organizer, Retired Educator and Lupus Warrior. She is devoted to helping others face the trials of life with an open mind and energy. A cheerleader for handling life’s challenges with laughter and spirited resilience, she believes in living your best life while living with lupus.

Dr. Gregory Marcelle is a Licensed Professional Counselor committed to helping youth, adolescents, and adults learn how to manage their mental and behavioral health.

He is the CEO and Clinical Director of L.E.V.E.L.S Mental Health Services LLC providing therapeutic support, behavior management, and skill building to individuals who struggle with mental health and substance abuse disorders.

In observance of Parkinson's disease awareness month, we are excited to speak with special guests Michael S. Fitts and Dr. Reversa Joseph.

Michael S. Fitts recent retiree, served as assistant dean for user access and diversity at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB Libraries). He was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2011 at age 38. In 2001 he became the first African American faculty member of the Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences and later went on to become both the first African American assistant director and assistant dean. In 2015, Michael was appointed to the UAB/Lakeshore Research Collaborative — an organization whose primary goal is to promote the health and wellness of people with disabilities. In addition to his nearly 30-year career with UAB, he actively serves as an advocate for the education of those with early-onset Parkinson’s by being an example of living successfully and productively with the disease. Since 2018, Michael has served on the Board of Directors for the Parkinson Association of Alabama, contributing to outreach across the state. Additionally, he actively contributes to the Michael J. Fox Foundation Patient Council and serve as a Research Advocate for the Parkinson’s Foundation, supporting research and patient engagement.

Dr. Reversa Joseph began her journey into medicine with a passion for solving problems and seeking answers, which naturally led me to neuroscience. However, witnessing my father, a Vietnam veteran, struggle with Parkinson’s disease (PD) became the pivotal moment that directed her toward Neurology and ultimately specializing in Movement Disorders. This deeply personal experience profoundly shaped her life and her family’s.

One unforgettable experience was transitioning her practice from an academic institution to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to address the unmet needs of veterans with movement disorders. Driven by her father’s condition, this shift was both uplifting and challenging. This significant transition was driven by a clear unmet need and her desire to serve our veterans, honoring my father’s condition and his service to our country.

At the VA, Dr. Joseph developed and leads a Movement Disorders Clinic, directing a Multidisciplinary Care Team to provide comprehensive, integrative care to veterans with Parkinson’s disease and other neurological disorders. This endeavor has been deeply fulfilling and reinforced her commitment to serving vulnerable populations and improving healthcare access.

Dr. Joseph’s involvement with the Parkinson's Foundation began in 2018 as a board member for the Great Lakes Chapter. Throughout the years, she has supported the Foundation by giving various presentations on topics such as PD 101, Women and Parkinson's Disease, and Integrative Therapies and PD. She also participates in Moving Day with her team, Vets on the Move.

Dr. Joseph is particularly proud of our efforts to mitigate health inequities in people living with Parkinson’s through targeted and tailored training in research advocacy. One of her

most rewarding contributions has been to help develop a novel Learning Institute using culturally responsive pedagogy to train African Americans living with Parkinson’s and their care partners to collaborate with researchers and scientists as primary partners in the drug development process.

Additionally, Dr. Joseph has given national lectures for the Parkinson’s Foundation to raise awareness about Parkinson’s disease and the Black community, addressing issues such as late and misdiagnosis, treatment and overall care. Dr. Joseph works to provide a framework on how to mitigate these disparities. She has also participated in various podcasts to raise awareness that Parkinson’s also affects African Americans. Her volunteer work is driven by a desire to make a tangible difference, to support an organization that supports so many, and to contribute to t

JT Logan is a serial entrepreneur, business coach, author, musician, minister, and father. He is the Founder and CEO of FOURDEEP – a full-service advertising and marketing agency founded in 2011 with offices in Richmond, VA and Washington, DC. JT and the FOURDEEP team have built brands for Fortune 500 companies, global non-profit organizations, universities, faith-based organizations, and emerging businesses alike. JT is also the founder of The Rare Foundation and Breast Cancer Under 30®.

JT is focused more than ever to help businesses and organizations transform their products and services through transformative media and marketing. JT's personal life experiences allowed him to redefine his purpose, and help others in the process.

JT is a graduate of The Richard T. Robertson School of Media & Culture at Virginia Commonwealth University, with a specialization in Creative and Strategic Advertising. JT is also a graduate of the Samuel Dewitt Proctor School of Theology at Virginia Union University, where he earned his Master of Divinity degree. JT's mission is to help business owners and leaders discover that focusing on purpose, always grows revenue.

The Reverend Dr. Mia Hash Sloan focuses on curating spiritual well-being spaces across a broad range of religious and spiritual ideologies. She is a third-generation minister that has worked within the congregation and community for over 20 years. She has truly made a religious, spiritual and social impact in her community. Rev. Dr. Mia specializes in holistic well-being with a universal pull towards cultivating transformative, liberating space for individuals.

Rev. Dr. Mia serves as the Faith Project Manager at the Compass Faith Coordinating Center at Wake Forest University. She has committed her virtues, values, and ethics to providing compassionate, non-judgmental, spiritual and emotional ministry regardless of (one’s) religious affiliation.

In an attempt to create work life balance, Mia enjoys meditative walking, archery, traveling, art gallery hopping, discovering beautiful gemstones, and exploring the sweet elixir of life.

Kayla Nixon is a Richmond, VA based public health communicator, community builder, and advocate dedicated to empowering Black women through information, connection, and action.

A uterine cancer survivor since 2019, she founded Uterine Care Collaborative in 2024 to educate Black women on uterine health conditions, improve access to resources, and amplify the voices and stories of women affected by fibroids, endometriosis, uterine cancer and PCOS.

Her passion for fostering community also led to the spontaneous creation of Bloom RVA in January 2025, a space for Black women in Richmond to connect and thrive. In just three months, Bloom RVA has grown to 500 members, hosting low-cost events that bring women together and foster meaningful connections. Through her work in public health and grassroots organizing, she is committed to creating spaces where Black women feel seen, supported, and empowered.

In celebration of Women's History Month, we have a special message from our very own Dr. P! 

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 37 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 share 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 & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions. Time Magazine 100, who named Dr.Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35 Anniversary issue, named Dr. P 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 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.

Dr. Seele is well-known for her extraordinary vision and ability to create national and global partnerships among leaders of various cultures and religious doctrines in the areas of health. As a pioneer and community activist, Dr. Seele is known for her work in forging public health & faith-based partnerships for engaging individuals in health promotion and disease prevention interventions.

Dr. Seele is the recipient of numerous citations and honors, including being featured on the cover of Time Magazine 100, who named Dr.Seele One of the Most Influential Persons in the World in 2006; Essence Magazine, in its 35 Anniversary issue, named Dr. P 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 21 Leaders of the 21st Century of Women E-News in New York City.

She has worked with three US presidential administrations on issues of health in the United States and abroad. Dr. Seele was an invited guest of former President and First Lady Laura Bush for the State of the Union Address representing a symbol of President Bush’s commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS in the world. In 2010, Dr. Seele was invited to participate in the Fortune TIME CNN Global Forum in Cape Town, South Africa, along with President William “Bill” Clinton and a host of international leaders and Fortune 100 chief executive officers to focus on challenges and solutions in the developing world.

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

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

Dr. Tania Small joined Bristol Myers Squibb as Senior Vice President, Global Medical Affairs in January 2024. Tania brings a strong scientific track record leading Medical Affairs teams in driving innovation that improves the experience and supports better outcomes of people living with cancer and rare diseases. She has successfully built and led global and regional medical organizations in Drug Development and Medical Affairs, advancing access to Oncology, Rare Disease and Hematology patients globally.

Tania is a board-certified pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrow transplant specialist with deep experience in clinical research and drug development. She has extensive research experience in oncology, hematology, gene therapy and stem cell transplantation, receiving NIH grants for her translational research in gene therapy and regenerative medicine.

Most recently, Tania served as Head of Global Medical Oncology and was the sponsor of the Global R&D Inclusion Diversity Council at GSK. Prior to GSK, Tania worked for IPSEN as Vice President, Head of Oncology and Rare Disease Global Drug Development.

She is energized by revolutionizing the experience and outcomes for people with cancer, and has worked closely with the US FDA, Congress, and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) to improve the diversity of enrollment in oncology clinical trials and elderly programs.

"I'm passionate about partnering to create programs that treat the person - not just the disease. Producing groundbreaking solutions that can change the trajectory of serious diseases and help write the next chapter of patient-driven science is what motivates me every day."

Tania received her medical degree from Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She has a long-standing affiliation with the Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York Presbyterian/Columbia University where she completed her residency and hematology/oncology fellowship with an academic research appointment in heme and bone marrow transplant.

Currently, Tania serves on the ASCO Membership Advisory Committee and is a Board Member of Accreditation Council for Medical Affairs (ACMA).

Rev. Lamont Anthony Wells is the Executive Director of the Network of Evangelical Lutheran Church in America Colleges and Universities and the President of the African Descent Lutheran Association.