A. Cornelius Baker
Emory University Rollins School of Public Health
Cornelius Baker is an Assistant Research Professor in the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory where he is currently detailed as a senior policy expert and liaison to the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) at the CDC Global Division on HIV and TB. Prior to joining Emory, he served as the Acting Deputy Global AIDS Coordinator for Affected Populations and Civil Society Leadership and later Chief Policy Officer in the Office of the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator.
Over the past four decades, Mr. Baker has worked at every level of the HIV response, from being a volunteer fundraiser throughout the early days of the epidemic and on to leading prominent organizations and initiatives, including senior policy advisor for the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition, acting director of the HIV/AIDS Unit and senior technical advisor at FHI 360, executive director of Whitman-Walker Clinic, and executive director of the National Association of People with AIDS. Mr. Baker was appointed by President George H.W. Bush as a confidential assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health from 1989 - 1992. From 2009 - 2014, he was an appointee of President Obama to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA).
Mr. Baker received his Bachelor of Arts at Eisenhower College/Rochester Institute of Technology. In July 2014, he was named Distinguished Alumnus by the Eisenhower College Alumni Association. He serves on the boards of Us Helping Us/People Into Living, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, and the advisory board of the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation.
Clover Barnes
DC Department of Health
Ms. Clover Barnes is a nurse executive with over twenty years of combined experience in healthcare and public health. A champion for health equity, diversity, and inclusion, Ms. Barnes has a demonstrated track record of engaging staff and facilitating change while promoting an organizational culture that supports innovation, collaboration, and data driven decision-making. For the past seven years, Ms. Barnes served as the Bureau Chief of the Care and Treatment Division of HAHSTA, where she provided excellent leadership and administrative oversight of the Ryan White Program and DC Health’s Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiatives.
Prior to joining DC Health, Ms. Barnes served in a myriad of healthcare/nursing positions in her career including serving as Staff/Charge nurse, Clinic Coordinator, Nursing Manager, Ambulatory Manager, and Chief Operating Officer at a Federally Qualified Health Center.
Ms. Barnes received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin and a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix in Phoenix, Arizona. Ms. Barnes has a passion for working with the underserved and invests her time and energy in improving the community in which she lives..
TOri Cooper
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Ms. Tori Cooper, BA, MPH, SGE is an accomplished and award winning Health and Equity Consultant and serves as Director of Community Engagement at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. With over 30 years of advocacy, she continues to work to bring greater equity for people living with HIV, trans and gender expansive folks and Black, Brown and other people of color.
At HRC, Tori leads a diverse team and oversees 4 leadership development programs, a small grants program and a Lyft ride share programming providing safe, free rides to trans people and trans serving orgs across the country. Ms. Cooper is also Founder and Executive Director of Advocates for Better Care, a boutique consulting firm that provides capacity building and educational support for educational institutions, businesses and policy makers as well as financial support and mentoring for members of the trans and gender expansive community.
In a career of many firsts, Tori is honored to be the first Black trans woman to be appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, also known as PACHA. She also served on the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, the CDC’s Black Women’s Health Initiative, as a certified trainer national speaker, certified facilitator and in many other roles. Tori believes that “to whom much is given, much is required “ and that some people are best and breaking down doors from outside in, while others have opportunities to infiltrate and make changes from the inside out.
Larry Bryant
The Reunion Project
Larry Bryant is the Senior Program Manager of The Reunion Project, where he contributes administrative and programmatic oversight and technical expertise for the organization. By collaborating with regional and national partners, Larry assists with creating and developing interactive and inclusive activities and events centered around the experiences of long-term survivors of HIV.
Larry has almost 30 years working in the HIV & AIDS community including national organizer with the Campaign to End AIDS, the national movement of people living with HIV advocating and demanding for the tools and resources to end the AIDS epidemic once and for all.
Larry, himself a long-term survivor of HIV, was diagnosed in 1986, and is a native Washingtonian, currently residing in Brooklyn NY.
Russell Campbell
Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination
Russell Campbell is Director of the Office of HIV/AIDS Network Coordination (HANC) based in Seattle at Fred Hutch Cancer Center. HANC provides oversight and strategic direction for all cross-network (ACTG, HPTN, HVTN, IMPAACT) coordination activities. Russell is a servant leader with a career that has been dedicated to providing support in the areas of public health and racial injustice. He has been involved in, HIV, prostate cancer, diabetes treatment and prevention research efforts for three decades. Russell has had a long commitment in addressing health disparities that disproportionately impact communities who are underrepresented in clinical research. Russell’s vision for the future includes doing his part to create a brighter future for others, including his children, where they can thrive, have the freedom to be who they are, love who they wish and not have the burden of worrying about HIV transmission and see the full benefits of biomedical research realized during their lifetimes.
Danielle M. Campbell, MPH
PrEP in Black America
Danielle M. Campbell is a doctoral candidate and experienced clinical researcher who integrates principles of health equity and liberation into implementation science and biobehavioral research focused on HIV treatment, prevention and cure research. She is a member of the research faculty at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science in the School of Medicine, Division of Preventive and Social Medicine. Danielle has expertise in infectious disease related work, COVID-19, MPOX, and HIV. She is a member of the iSTRIVE research lab where her work applies an intersectional lens to examine the influence of structural systems and paradigms of power on the production of health inequities among racial and ethnic and sex and gender minority populations living with and affected by HIV and other marginalized populations with an emphasis on women and girls.
She has conducted research in biomedical HIV prevention and cure, and the intersections of sexual health and systematic oppression. She is a past Chair of the HIV/AIDS Section of the APHA, and has served as Chair of the Science Board and Co-Chair of the Joint Policy Committee. She dedicates her energy to serving as a member of a community scientific subcommittee for a global HIV/ AIDS research network, and as a volunteer HIV tester/ counselor aboard a mobile testing unit, and as an educator and promoter of positive sexual health awareness. Danielle is a community organizer for HIV/ AIDS and sexual and reproductive health, rights, justice and awareness policies and campaigns.
Michael Chancley
PrEP in Black America
Michael Chancley is a social worker, educator, writer, HIV advocate, and PrEP user who has many years of experience developing and implementing HIV prevention programs for communities disproportionately impacted by the HIV epidemic, including Black queer men and transgender individuals, African-American and Latina women, and youth of color in The South. He is a HBCU graduate with a Bachelors in Sociology and Masters in Social Work, both from Southern University at New Orleans. Michael has also spent much time advocating for a National PrEP Program
Tori Cooper, BA, MPH, SGE
Human Rights Campaign Foundation
Ms. Tori Cooper, BA, MPH, SGE is an accomplished and award winning Health and Equity Consultant and serves as Director of Community Engagement at the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. With over 30 years of advocacy, she continues to work to bring greater equity for people living with HIV, trans and gender expansive folks and Black, Brown and other people of color. At HRC, Tori leads a diverse team and oversees 4 leadership development programs, a small grants program and a Lyft ride share programming providing safe, free rides to trans people and trans serving orgs across the country.
Ms. Cooper is also Founder and Executive Director of Advocates for Better Care, a boutique consulting firm that provides capacity building and educational support for educational institutions, businesses and policy makers as well as financial support and mentoring for members of the trans and gender expansive community. In a career of many firsts, Tori is honored to be the first Black trans woman to be appointed to the President’s Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, also known as PACHA. She also served on the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board, the CDC’s Black Women’s Health Initiative, as a certified trainer national speaker, certified facilitator and in many other roles. Tori believes that “to whom much is given, much is required “ and that some people are best and breaking down doors from outside in, while others have opportunities to infiltrate and make changes from the inside out.
E. Lee Dyer IV
BONDS Organization
E. Lee Dyer IV is a distinguished REDI (Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion) strategist with over a decade of impactful service. He has been instrumental in creating and managing inclusion and belonging centers on college campuses, driving cultural shifts in higher education. Known for his dynamic skills and advocacy for marginalized communities, Lee guides individuals and organizations toward sustainable and inclusive practices. Lee holds a BA in Political Science from Dillard University and a Master's in Public Administration from North Carolina Central University. He has been honored among Dillard University's Top 40 under 40 Alumni. Currently, Lee is the director of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Virginia State University, leading DEIB initiatives. He co-founded and co-directs the non-profit Brothers Obtaining and Navigating Dynamic Solidarity (BONDS), focused on leadership development for transmen. As CEO of E. Lee Dyer Consulting Group, he provides strategic planning and inclusion training to corporations and educational institutions. Lee's commitment to elevating organizations and empowering underrepresented individuals is evident through his extensive work and leadership.
Brandon Dykes
ViiV HealthCare
Brandon Dykes is a dedicated HIV activist, accomplished public speaker, and influential thought leader within his community. With over a decade of experience in program development, marketing consulting, health communications, and strategic planning, he actively disrupts enduring racial disparities.
In 2009, Brandon co-founded Nu Phi Zeta Fraternity, Inc., transforming it into a nationwide force across 18 states and 33 cities during his tenure as National President. In 2021, as the District HIV Program Manager at the Georgia Department of Public Health, he successfully managed a $1.5 million budget, establishing a pivotal one-stop HIV clinic to address gaps in the Augusta CSRA community.
Currently serving as a Community Liaison with ViiV Healthcare, Brandon continues his impactful journey. His commitment to reducing racial disparities and enhancing healthcare accessibility is evident not only through his professional roles but also in his involvement in local and national committees. Brandon remains a dedicated advocate, particularly for empowering LGBT youth and fostering positive change in the community.
Timothy P. Harrison, PhD
Health and Human Services
Timothy P. Harrison, PhD is the Principal Deputy Director in the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services where he has provided dedicated leadership during his more than 20 years of federal service. In this role, Dr. Harrison provides leadership and oversight of OIDP’s broad portfolio, including vaccines and immunization, blood and tissue safety and availability, HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, antimicrobial resistance, and OIDP’s four federal advisory committees. Dr. Harrison’s work, particularly through his management of the Minority HIV/AIDS Fund, supports the development of new strategies to increase access to prevention, care, and treatment services by addressing social and structural determinants of health, amplifying innovation and collaboration, and prioritizing population and geographic communities facing structural inequities.
For nearly 30 years, Dr. Harrison has worked to advance the concerns of equity in the social safety net and public health spaces. Prior to joining HHS, he worked as a policy analyst in the areas of low-income housing, welfare, and workforce development and was a Visiting Fellow at the University of Rochester’s Government Department and Frederick Douglass Institute, and an Adjunct Professor of Government at Georgetown University. He holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. from Northwestern University and a B.A. from Swarthmore College.
Nathaniel Holley
The Freelux Project
Nathaniel Holley is the Founder and CEO of The Freelux Project, a 501(c)(3) community based organization with the mission of reducing HIV related stigma, increasing access to care and creating more safe spaces. He decided to champion the cause and live transparently and provide representation following his own HIV diagnosis in 2012. He has earned his B.A. in Political Science at Morehouse College and Masters in Legal Studies from American University. Throughout his career, Nathaniel has traveled his talents from teaching English to elementary students in South Korea to working for some of the biggest consulting and law firms in the country. While living in Washington, D.C., he served four years as a Commissioner on the Washington, DC Commission for Health and HIV, He seeks to create a world where stigma doesn’t interfere with self-care. In the coming months, he seeks to publish a collection of his works that include poetry, short stories, journal excerpts and personal interviews. He says, “I have always believed that we must use our gifts to inspire and show others how to hope when it's hard.
Dr. Darryl B. Holloman
Spelman College
Dr. Darryl B. Holloman is a distinguished leader in higher education with over three decades of experience in student affairs, academic administration, institutional advancement, governance and board relations, and human talent management. Dr. Holloman has worked at several regional and nationally recognized higher education institutions where he has supervised collectively over 200 employees and overseen budgets in excess of over $300 million. Dr. Holloman’s extensive experience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to student success and institutional excellence make him a transformative leader in higher education. His contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of academic communities.
Dr. Holloman has several articles and book chapters to his credit. Dr. Holloman’s research examines the ways disadvantaged groups develop and demonstrate their agency in educational systems, particularly within urban school settings. He is the coeditor of the book entitled From Boyhood to Manhood: Deconstructing Black Masculinity through a Life Span Continuum through Peter Lang Press. He is currently working on a co-edited manuscript entitled: In the Middle: Leading as Mid-level Professionals in Student Affairs.
Dr. Holloman is an active member of St. Luke Episcopal Church. Dr. Holloman lives in Atlanta with his spouse of 30 years, Glyn Williams, and their two twin sons – Delbert and Delvin.
Jay
64th Executive President of Howard University Student Association
Jay is a passionate community builder who lives by the quote “We have to be visible; we should not be ashamed of who we are “~Marsha P Johnson. As a firm believer in visibility, Jay has made it her mission to showcasing queer people in places of leadership. Jay Jones is from Fort Worth, Tx, by way of Greensboro, NC, and is currently a senior studying Political Science and Strategic Communications.
Jay is the 64th Executive President and 63rd Executive Vice- President of the Howard University Student Association (HUSA), the first trans woman to hold both offices and the first trans woman to be elected president of any Historically Black College or University. In her previous tenure as the 63rd Executive Vice-President of the Howard University Student Association, she oversaw Crisis communications and response on behalf of the executive branch. In collaboration with Howard University Administration, she successfully oversaw the crisis response of several major crisis on campus. She also oversaw the special projects and sustainability efforts of the 63rd administration, where she supported the implementation of the first ever “Green Job Fair” and the continued implementation of the “Howard University Spirit Busses”. In collaboration with the Division of Student Affairs and support of Vice- President Evers, Jay was also able to pass the largest piece of LGBTQ+ legislation in Howard University’s History, which included, funding for programming, training for staff and faculty, and the formation of a committee that is made up of students, staff, faculty, and alumni..
Joshua Henry Jenkins
BLACK, GAY, stuck at home
Joshua Henry Jenkins (he/him/his) is an arts and culture strategist, communications professional, & organizer of community based out of Washington, D.C. by way of rural North Carolina. He is the Director of Marketing at Theatre Communications Group. Previously, he was Director of Web and New Media Strategies at Americans for the Arts. He’s the co-creator of BLACK, GAY, stuck at home, a virtual platform building community through the amplifying of Black, queer media. In service of the communities to which he belongs, he creates and supports work that uplifts BIPOC and LGTBQIA+ identifying folks, citizens of rural areas, and most importantly those who exist at those intersections. Joshua received his Master of Arts in Interactive Media from Elon University and his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Sha’Terra Johnson
Texas Black Women's Health Initiative Houston Team
Earned her BSW and MSW at Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. During her academic career, her focus was on HIV/AIDS in southern rural areas. After completing college, she worked for AIDS Foundation Houston (2012) as a Life Skills Housing Case Manager for the First Responders Housing Program for a year. For 11 years she has been at the Houston Regional HIV/AIDS Resource Group, Inc. RW apart B/SS Administration Agency as the Health Planner for the Eastern Texas. She is also an Adjunct Professor for SFASU MSW program. With a focus on Black Women and HIV prevention and treatment she has dedicated research on techniques and interventions to reduce stigma and increase understanding through an educational entertainment lens. Thus, in 2018 the inception of the annual Be-YOU-tiful Health & Hair Showcase was implemented with the Texas Black Women’s Health Initiative Houston Team to address HIV stigma, resources and other health disparities (mental health, cancer, diabetes, wellness) that disproportionally affects all black women and intersectionality with other social constraints. #SexEdCollegeTours is an intervention driven activity non-profit (2013) Just A Touch of H.E.L.P., Inc. collaborates with student organizations at Texas colleges and universities in hosting entertaining sexual health conversation and HIV/STD/I testing, awareness and education. She has created, participated and lead many HIV community groups and boards.
Marlene McNeese
Houston Health Department, Co-Chair
President Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS
Marlene McNeese has been a strategic innovator in redefining the way public health and community-based support systems address chemical dependency, mental health, communicable disease, and post-incarceration syndrome. Ms. McNeese is a passionate and dedicated advocate and champion for underserved communities, and the trajectory of her career reflects that sense of commitment. She has managed programs and services for non-profit organizations, correctional facilities, and local government.
She is a proven and sought after leader with extensive experience with local and national advisory councils and boards, having served as past chair of the Houston Area Ryan White Planning Council, co-chair for the Houston HIV Prevention Community Planning Group, past board chair for NASTAD, and currently serves as Co-Chair for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. In 2004, Ms. McNeese began her tenure with the Houston Health Department where she currently serves as the Deputy Assistant Director overseeing the Bureau of HIV/STI and Viral Hepatitis Prevention. Ms. McNeese gained her Bachelor of Science from the University of Houston-Clear Lake and a Master of Business Administration from Texas Woman’s University, but her proudest accomplishments to date are her two gifted children, her more than 30 years of recovery from substance use disorder, and her mentorship of others to achieve the same.
John Meade
AVAC/PrEP in Black America
John is Senior Program Manager- Policy at AVAC where he manages the organization’s federal and governmental policy and advocacy efforts. In this role, John co-leads the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership Research Working Group, represents AVAC and leads efforts to advocate for a National PrEP Program, advocates for increased funding for HIV research institutions like the National Institutes of Health. Since joining AVAC, John has successfully advocated for the increase in HIV research funding for the NIH Office of AIDS research, co-organized the PrEP in Black America Summit in Atlanta and New Orleans and co-authored “For Us By Us: Master Plan for HIV Prevention in Black America.
John joined AVAC in 2021, bringing 10 years of experience advocating for HIV prevention access for key populations both domestically and globally. John holds a BA in Cell and Molecular Biology from Connecticut College and a Master’s degree in Public Health with a concentration in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Population Studies from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University.
S. Mandisa Moore-O’NeaL
Center for HIV Law and Policy
S. Mandisa Moore-O’Neal (she/hers) is the Executive Director of The Center for HIV Law and Policy, an abolitionist legal and policy organization that operates within and around the criminal legal and public health systems at the state and federal level to craft just policies that amplify the power of mobilizations for systemic change that are guided by racial, gender, and economic justice. Based in New Orleans, she is a Black feminist civil rights attorney, a trained facilitator, and a cultural and political strategist.
Before joining CHLP, Mandisa founded The Moore-O’Neal Law Group, LLC, a Black Feminist law and policy practice. Mandisa is a founding member of the Louisiana Coalition on Criminalization and Health and in 2012 received her JD from Louisiana State University Law Center. She has researched, published and presented on abolitionist lawyering, reproductive justice and the law, HIV De-criminalization, punitive social policies, and state violence. At its core, her legal work is best defined as using a Black feminist and abolitionist framework to craft legal strategies that move us closer to liberation.
CAPT Robyn Neblett Fanfair, MD, MPH
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CAPT Robyn Neblett Fanfair, MD, MPH serves as the Director of the Division of HIV Prevention, in the National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention at CDC. In this role she provides scientific leadership and strategic direction to manage and coordinate the work of the Division to reduce new HIV infections, advance health equity, and improve the health of people with HIV.
Dr. Neblett Fanfair began her career as a HIV prevention researcher, clinician, and public health practitioner. As a CAPT in the United States Public Health Service she has been active in preparedness and response, deploying to support emergency responses for Ebola, Zika, Hurricane Irma/Maria, and COVID-19. A board-certified internist she serves as a primary care provider for Veterans with HIV at the Atlanta VA Medical Center. Dr. Neblett Fanfair received her B.A from Brown University, her M.D. from New York University School of Medicine, and her Master of Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Harold Phillips
NMAC
Harold J. Phillips is the Deputy Director of Programs for NMAC, a 37-year-old community organization that “leads with race” to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Holding a master’s degree in urban and regional planning, Mr. Phillips played a pivotal role in the U.S. government's response to HIV/AIDS, COVID-19, MPOX, viral hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections.
Between June 2021 and January 2024, he led the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP) as its director, steering the Biden Administration's approach to domestic HIV/AIDS issues. His responsibilities encompassed overseeing the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS), liaising with various governmental bodies such as the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, the National Security Council, and the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator. His efforts were centered on enhancing America's strategy against the HIV epidemic, focusing on reducing new transmissions, improving the lives of those with HIV, and striving towards ending the epidemic. Before his tenure at the White House, Phillips was the Chief Operating Officer for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health. There, he coordinated the initiative's activities across different operating divisions of the Department.
Mr. Phillips holds a Masters Degree in Urban Planning from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and is also an individual living with HIV who brings a personal perspective to his professional endeavors.
Marissa Robinson, DrPH, MPH
Office of Infectious Disease
Dr. Marissa Robinson, DrPH, MPH, RPCV (she/her) is a strategic leader in Infectious Disease. At the Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy (OIDP), she serves as a Health Equity Specialist Lead and Black Women’s Initiative co-lead, promoting health equity across teams focused on vaccines, immunization, HIV/AIDS, and more. Dr. Robinson is a DMV native and is trained in infectious disease epidemiology. Dr. Robinson addresses disparities in underserved, racial, ethnic minority, and rural communities. She has conducted extensive HIV/AIDS research for over a decade.
For the past five years, she has led the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative and served as a liaison for OIDP Regional Engagement Teams. Dr. Robinson earned her Doctor of Public Health from Morgan State University, a fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, her MPH from Emory University, and her BA from Spelman College.
Outside of work, she teaches Zumba, blending her love for health, wellness, and dance.
Francisco Ruiz
White House Office of National AIDS Policy
In April 2024, Francisco Ruiz started serving as the Director of the White House's Office of National AIDS Policy. Previously, Francisco served as the Senior Advisor for Program Innovation and Coordination within the Division of HIV Prevention at U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Francisco earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Studies from Loyola University Chicago and a master’s degree in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School in New York City. He is currently pursuing his Doctor of Public Health degree at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Alex Santiago
Destination Tomorrow
Alex Santiago is the Founder of the I Am Human Foundation based in Atlanta, Ga. He is also the Chief Operating Officer of Destination Tomorrow based in the Bronx, NY with offices in Atlanta and Washington DC. Alex serves on the City of Atlanta Mayor's Advisory Board, The Morehouse School of Medicines Satcher Health Leadership Institute's HIV Equity Task Force and serves on the board of other local organizations.
Alex is the first black trans man to speak at Harvard University on the lack of Equity and Inclusion and has been asked to participate in developing curriculum. Alex created a billboard campaign raising the profile of murder black trans women that garnered national attention and was featured in several magazine articles nationwide. Alex is a father to many and has one biological daughter and one grand daughter. He is engaged to Dr.Tatyana Moaton whom he shares a passion for helping those others often leave behind. He has dedicated his life to the service of others and will fight until everyone receives equitable access to every human right.
Rev. Cherisse Scott
SisterReach
Cherisse Scott has worked as an educator, advocate and activist in the Reproductive & Sexual Justice movement for 20 years. In 2011, Scott founded SisterReach, currently, the only Reproductive & Sexual Justice organization in the state of Tennessee. Under Ms. Scott’s leadership, SisterReach released their 2015 report on the need for comprehensive sexuality education for southern youth of color, rolled out their ProWoman Billboard campaign in opposition to anti-abortion billboards erected in Memphis targeting Black men, launched their Faith & Advocacy Training to support education and mobilization of religious and advocacy communities. Ms. Scott presented to the United Nations regarding the impact of the fetal assault law on TN women, released their 2019 quantitative research report on the impact of the law, and is currently opening a transitional housing facility that will support women and mothers navigating substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and intimate partner violence as a prevention and intervention strategy of that work. SisterReach's work on the fetal assault law led to a victory of defeating HB 1660 which criminalized mothers struggling with drug addiction during the 2016 legislative session. Ms. Scott was a Rockwood Institute Fellow in 2016. Ms. Scott and the work of SisterReach is featured in the January 2018 edition of O Magazine, recognized by Essence Magazine as one of their 2018 Woke 100, and she is a sought out national speaker on reproductive justice and other human rights violations experienced by vulnerable Tennesseans. has worked as an educator, advocate and activist in the Reproductive & Sexual Justice movement for 20 years. In 2011, Scott founded SisterReach, currently, the only Reproductive & Sexual Justice organization in the state of Tennessee. Under Ms. Scott’s leadership, SisterReach released their 2015 report on the need for comprehensive sexuality education for southern youth of color, rolled out their ProWoman Billboard campaign in opposition to anti-abortion billboards erected in Memphis targeting Black men, launched their Faith & Advocacy Training to support education and mobilization of religious and advocacy communities.
Ms. Scott presented to the United Nations regarding the impact of the fetal assault law on TN women, released their 2019 quantitative research report on the impact of the law, and is currently opening a transitional housing facility that will support women and mothers navigating substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and intimate partner violence as a prevention and intervention strategy of that work. SisterReach's work on the fetal assault law led to a victory of defeating HB 1660 which criminalized mothers struggling with drug addiction during the 2016 legislative session. Ms. Scott was a Rockwood Institute Fellow in 2016. Ms. Scott and the work of SisterReach is featured in the January 2018 edition of O Magazine, recognized by Essence Magazine as one of their 2018 Woke 100, and she is a sought out national speaker on reproductive justice and other human rights violations experienced by vulnerable Tennesseans.
Milan Nicole Sherry
House of Tulip
Milan Nicole Sherry is a Black and Indigenous transgender woman, organizer, wife, and mother from New Orleans. In 2009, become a youth organizer and was a founding member of BreakOUT! In direct response to killings of Black transgender women, Milan created #BlackTransLivesMatter, a campaign that became a national movement. She additionally organized the first New Orleans Trans March and organized NOLA’s Trans March of Resilience. Milan has also helped the Department of Justice reduce racial and gender profiling by the NOPD and has contributed to a Human Rights Watch report linking discriminatory policing to HIV transmission.
Recipient of the 2013 NOLA Unity Award and the 2015 Rising Star Award, presented by EQLA, Milan has been involved with the American Bar Association’s Opening Doors Project and featured on PBS’ In the Life and in VOGUE Magazine, ABC News, BuzzFeed News, EBONY , The New Yorker, South Florida Gay News and more local and national news outlets. Her activism is also featured in of “Cans Can’t Stand,” a New Yorker documentary directed by Matt Nadel and Megan Plotka.Milan served as the co-coordinator and outreach specialist at the Trans Equity Project in Philadelphia and now is a national board member of Positively Trans and the founder and Director of Community Support and Outreach of House of Tulip. House of Tulip is an organization centered around providing housing, social services, and community spaces for transgender and gender non-conforming folks living in New Orleans.
Reggie Smith
The Reginald and Dionne Smith Foundation
Reggie is the executive Director of the Reginald and Dionne Smith Foundation (RDSF) a holistic health practitioner, speaker, advocate and author ("Resurrection"-Participate in Your Own Salvation, or BeComplicit in Your Own Demise). The (RDSF) whose mission is to improve total wellness for families affected by HIV, viral hepatitis and substance use disorders by providing education, advocacy, resources, and linkage to care. With their virtual network (www.TheRDSF.com), podcast ("Positive Attitudes") and social media (@TheRDSF) they are positively changing the narrative and imagery around HIV, and providing safe spaces and healing solutions by giving agency to our primary audience of heterosexual Black men and women living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and substance abuse.
Dr. David J. Wallace
Dream House Wellness Foundation
Dr. David J. Wallace transcends the role of a mere consultant; he embodies the essence of a dedicated culture influencer and the visionary behind Dream House Lounge, a haven for mental and spiritual wellness nestled in the heart of New Orleans' Central Business District. Dr. Wallace's profound commitment to amplifying culture and fostering community drives his relentless pursuit of wellness advocacy. As an initiated priest of the IFA tradition, specializing in Lucumi practice, Dr. Wallace serves as a conduit for intuitive healing and a channeler of the Orishas and ancestral wisdom. Additionally, he is the luminary behind Awakening Minds Consulting, where his passion for justice manifests in transformative endeavors reshaping dialogues on racial and social equity.
Dr. Wallace's journey began as an elementary school educator in Brooklyn, New York, evolving into roles as an instructional leader in Miami before ascending to the positions of Assistant Professor of Teacher Training and Campus Dean at Relay Graduate School of Education. Along this path, he garnered a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College, a Master’s in the Art of Teaching from Relay GSE, and an Educational Doctorate from St. Thomas University, culminating in groundbreaking research on teacher self-efficacy within the context of Relay GSE Teaching Residency. Currently, Dr. Wallace is spearheading the development of an innovative EdTech platform- Teacharmony, bridging cultural heritage with educational institutions to enrich students' learning experiences.
Dafina Ward, JD
Southern AIDS COalition
Dafina Ward, J.D. (she/her) is an attorney and non-profit strategist with nearly fifteen years of experience addressing HIV and health equity issues in the southern United States. Dafina currently serves as Executive Director of the Southern AIDS Coalition (SAC), an organization of regional focus and national reach, with a mission to end the HIV epidemic in the South. Through a range of programs and initiatives across the sixteen southern states and Washington, DC, SAC utilizes community-centered convenings, policy advocacy, grantmaking, leadership development, and capacity building trainings to support transformation in the region. In 2019, SAC created Southern HIV/AIDS Awareness Day [SHAAD] to amplify the HIV crisis in the region, which has become a nationally recognized day adopted by federal partners and hundreds of organizations.
In 2023, Dafina was appointed to the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV AIDS. She currently serves as Chair of the 2024 US Conference on HIV/AIDS Advisory Committee, has been recognized as a Gilead Sciences Champion of Change, POZ Magazine Hero (July/August 2021), and as a member of the 2021 POZ 100 most influential Black HIV advocates in the nation. Dafina also shares her reflections on the intersections of race, gender, and health through writing, with work appearing in the Washington Post, Role Reboot, and The Body. Dafina received her BA in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University (Atlanta, GA) and her Juris Doctor from Temple University’s Beasley School of Law (Philadelphia, PA). She and her husband reside in South Carolina with their brilliant daughters.
Kenric B. Ware
Mercer University College of Pharmacy
Kenric B. Ware is a highly respected pharmacist with specialized expertise in HIV care and a proven track record in pharmacy education. Kenric has served in a number of HIV leadership roles including as current Chair of the Board of the Joseph H. Neal Health Collaborative, one of Columbia, South Carolina’s preeminent HIV treatment and prevention clinics, and previous chairperson of the South Carolina (SC) HIV/AIDS Council. Kenric also participates as a board member of Challenges, Incorporated located in Greenville, South Carolina. Kenric contributes as an Ambassador to Voorhees University, a rural HBCU in Denmark, SC, on behalf of the Black AIDS Institute’s (BAI) Black HIV Epidemic (BHIVE) initiative.
He is also a former SC state representative on the Southeastern AIDS Education and Training Center (SE AETC) Advisory Committee. In addition, Kenric serves as a dedicated clinical pharmacy educator within his role on faculty and Mercer University College of Pharmacy. His experience in HIV-related pharmacy education, advocacy and leadership in community-level HIV initiatives, and his administrative experience as a pharmacist leading an HIV treatment and prevention facility within an EHE priority jurisdiction allows him to appreciate the complexities of healthcare and the work that remains to ensure that all health disparities dwindle among underrepresented populations.
D’Metris Welters
ViiV Healthcare
D’Metris is a versed Public Health Ambassador with almost two decades of demonstrated aptitude in HIV/STI testing, multi level evidence-based intervention facilitation, program planning, implementation and evaluation, case management and outreach for oppressed populations including women, low income, communities of color and the LGBTQ+ community. She is highly skilled in capacity building, technical assistance provision and technical writing development for small non-profits, with some experience working with larger corporations.
In her Self Care Time, D'Metris enjoys horror movies, attending music festivals, creative expression (whatever that looks like in the moment), and reading non-fiction. One of her greatest accomplishments is being an unapologetic Black woman in America!
A Tony Young
Community Education Group
A. Toni Young, has been the executive director of Community Education Group for 30 years. She focuses on community mobilization, organization management, and collaborative partnerships for marginalized populations. She is extensively involved in HIV/AIDS advocacy and research, leading numerous studies and initiatives. In 2007, she led a study on HIV vulnerability in Black women with partners with incarceration history, crucial for targeted interventions.
She has addressed structural HIV prevention factors in African American women with Exchange Coalition, advocating comprehensive approaches and aligning efforts with the strategy for evidence-based interventions grounded in best practices. Her current focus, and the mission of CEG, is to combat the syndemic of HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use disorder, in Appalachia and rural America.
Dr. Shanell L. McGoy
Gilead Sciences, INc
Dr. Shanell L. McGoy is the Senior Director of Public Affairs and Corporate Citizenship at Gilead Sciences, Inc., with nearly 25 years of experience advocating for HIV and health equity in the U.S. She holds a B.A. from Spelman College, an MPH from the University of Illinois at Chicago, a Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and a Post-Doctorate from Morehouse School of Medicine.
Dr. McGoy's career includes leadership roles at the CDC and multiple health departments. Notably, as Director of HIV/STD for the Tennessee Department of Health, she secured resources that led to a 10% decrease in HIV diagnoses and expanded insurance coverage for vulnerable communities.
At Gilead, she spearheads viral disease philanthropic initiatives, including the COMPASS Initiative, a $100 million commitment to combat HIV/AIDS in the U.S. South, and adapts this initiative globally. She also co-led the creation of the Gilead Racial Equity Community Impact Fund, awarding $10 million to organizations addressing racial inequities.
An expert in public health, Dr. McGoy excels in public speaking, corporate communications, and advocacy. Her leadership extends to public affairs, philanthropy, and policy research, driving impactful health initiatives and strategic communication.
Outside her professional work, Dr. McGoy is a traveler, Black art collector, and a 5th generation quilter. She supports HBCUs and is a member of The Links, Incorporated. She resides in Georgia with her husband, Dr. Terry M. Powers, Jr., and their three children
LáDeia Joyce, MBA
The Positive experience
LáDeia Joyce, MBA is a Black woman of influence who thrives despite her HIV diagnosis. She is a speaker, writer, advocate, and activist. As the founder of The Positive Experience, her work and words have been featured in USA Today, Cosmopolitan, ABC News, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, and Insider Her Story with Jacque Reid. Joyce has been a featured speaker and panelist at Rolling Out Magazine's Sisters with Superpowers, AHF Sister Talk with Cookie Johnson, and Grow with Google. Currently, she is a contributing writer for WebMD and is penning her next essay as a contributing author for Hood Wellness: Tales of Communal Care from People Who Drowned on Dry Land by Tamela J. Gordon (Row House Publishing), slated for release in Summer 2024. She holds a Bachelors of Art in Music Industry Business and a Bachelors of Art in Communication from the University of Memphis, as well as a Masters of Business Administration in Marketing from Strayer University. You can follow her on all social media platforms @LaDeiaJoyce and on her website, www.LaDeiaJoyce.com.
Daniel E. Thompson
The Headliners Memphis
Daniel E. Thompson, BA was formerly a PrEP Navigator/Outreach Specialist in Memphis, Tennessee working for Cherokee Health Systems and Christ Community Health Services. A native Memphian, Daniel is a graduate of The University of Memphis where he obtained his Bachelor of Arts. With over 7 years of experience working in Public Health, Daniel has a passion for educating and uplifting LGBTQ+ communities of color, and empowering individuals to take control of their healthcare. He is currently enrolled in The University of Memphis School of Public Health pursuing his MPH degree, and is a Graduate Assistant. He also is the Co-Director for Headliners Memphis, a grassroots organization comprised of community experts working to positively transform the world without stigma.
Jasmine Tasaki
WeCare TN
Jasmine Tasaki is a staunch advocate and community organizer for transgender women and issues affecting trans rights, health, and housing. Through her work, intersectionality has become very important to her. Jasmine has worked as a PrEP navigator, an HIV counselor, Sexual Health Educator, and Cultural Competency Facilitator for the Memphis Police Department. She was also the first leader of trans experience in the Memphis Urban League of Young Professionals (Health Literacy and Advocacy Chairperson), and an ambassador for the Black AIDS Institute. Ms. Tasaki is also the founder and executive director of the first trans-led organization, WeCareTN, in Memphis. Ms. Tasaki is also the director of advocacy at Black and Pink, where she supports many areas. She is a support for the Black and Pink Chapters, The National LGBTQ/PLHIV Criminal Justice Working Group, Black and Pink Advisory council, and Inside member program. She is also a facilitator for NMAC's Escalate program. She works closely with the community to meet the needs identified by the community. She has been featured on the cover of Focus magazine, and features in different platforms for her advocacy and service provision work. She really wishes to bring even more attention to the needs of the community. Jasmine believes that “support is the foundation you stand on, values are the directions you walk by, and relationships is the garden in which you grow.
Marcus Kennedy
Grambling State University
Marcus Kennedy serves as the Associate Dean and Director of Campus Activities and Student Engagement at Grambling State University, where he provides leadership, strategic vision, and management for a variety of campus activities and student development programs. His work is integral to enhancing student experiences and supporting the university's institutional goals. As a dedicated campus collaborator and promoter, Marcus manages a wide range of student engagement services, including the Favrot Student Union Board, Favrot Student Union, National Panhellenic Council, Student Government Association, clubs and organizations, fraternities and sororities, and University Spirit groups. His commitment to the holistic development of students is evident in his focus on student advocacy, particularly for first-generation college students. Marcus is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and is passionate about human health. He has been actively involved in implementing and executing programs centered on sexual health and wellness, with a specific focus on combating the HIV epidemic in the southern United States. In addition to his work at Grambling State, Marcus is an active member of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals (NASAP) and the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). He currently serves as the Co-State Director for NASPA Louisiana.
Dr. Darryl B. Holloman
Spelman College
Dr. Darryl B. Holloman is a distinguished leader in higher education with over three decades of experience in student affairs, academic administration, institutional advancement, governance and board relations, and human talent management. Dr. Holloman has worked at several regional and nationally recognized higher education institutions where he has supervised collectively over 200 employees and overseen budgets in excess of over $300 million. Dr. Holloman’s extensive experience, strategic vision, and unwavering commitment to student success and institutional excellence make him a transformative leader in higher education. His contributions continue to inspire and shape the future of academic communities.
Dr. Holloman has several articles and book chapters to his credit. Dr. Holloman’s research examines the ways disadvantaged groups develop and demonstrate their agency in educational systems, particularly within urban school settings. He is the coeditor of the book entitled From Boyhood to Manhood: Deconstructing Black Masculinity through a Life Span Continuum through Peter Lang Press. He is currently working on a co-edited manuscript entitled: In the Middle: Leading as Mid-level Professionals in Student Affairs.
Dr. Holloman is an active member of St. Luke Episcopal Church. Dr. Holloman lives in Atlanta with his spouse of 30 years, Glyn Williams, and their two twin sons – Delbert and Delvin.
Jacey Reed
Southern University and A&M College
Jacey Reed is a senior at Southern University and A&M College, majoring in Rehabilitation Counseling Services. She volunteers with Project P.E.E.R., focusing on substance abuse and HIV prevention. Jacey also serves as a Residential Assistant and is the president of a service-based sorority. She is a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, certified nursing assistant and recently studied abroad in Brazil and The Netherlands.
Dr. Corey Hebert
LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane University Medical Center
Dr. Corey Hebert is an Associate Professor at both LSU Health Sciences Center and Tulane University Medical Center in New Orleans, Louisiana and has been the Principal Investigator on over 70 phase 1, 2 and 3 FDA regulated clinical trials on various nutritional and pharmacotherapeutic agents. He is a highly regarded medical broadcast journalist, working as on-air Chief Medical Correspondent for the CBS television affiliate in New Orleans, Louisiana and the Gulf Coast for over 19 years. He is a frequent on-air contributor to the Discovery Channel and the Dr. Oz Show and he has made hundreds of appearances on national television networks and outlets such as CNN, CBS, National Geographic, Good Morning America and the Today Show. He has served as the Chairman of the Executive Advisory Council of the National Health Service Corps and was previously on the CDC board on Influenza. He has been the author on peer reviewed journal publications in the New England Journal of Medicine and the Journal of Human Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics and he is currently the principal investigator on multiple Covid-19 vaccine and monoclonal antibody trials. He is the Chief Medical Officer of Dillard University and Chief Executive Officer of College Health TV.