Stacey Billups, LMSW, is licensed as an LMSW in New York State. Stacey earned her Master of Social Work (MSW) at Howard University. Stacey has worked extensively with the NYC Department of Education and New York University’s (NYU) ASD Nest Support Project. She also facilitates interactive arts-based professional development and workshops.

Stacey is a mother of two sons and a professional artist with a ten-year art studio practice. Stacey believes in the positive impact that creativity can have on our mental, physical, and emotional health, thus improving the individual well-being but also the collective health of the community.

Kimberly (Kim) Scott is a Nurse Leader from the San Francisco Bay Area. With over twenty years of health care experience, Kim has established herself as a nursing advocate, motivator, connector, and author. She has a passion for mentoring and loves to serve and speak about building community. Kim refers to community, as Common Unity. She is the immediate past chair of the National Black Nurses, Inc. Collaborative Mentorship Program (CMP), past National Black Nurses Association, Inc. board member.

Miana Bryant was born and raised in Prince George’s County, Maryland, and is an alumnus of Howard University School of Social Work. Miana is a licensed graduate social worker with expertise in applied behavioral analysis, mental health, and crisis intervention. Her passion for mental health stemmed from her battles with depression and anxiety throughout her adolescence. Though wounded, Miana turned her pain into ‘The Mental Elephant” to reach other people around the globe who battle the same problems. Aside from online work, she is the Director of The Mental Elephant Incorporated, a 501(C)3 Nonprofit organization with a 4-member board of directors and an estimated 250 herd members. Miana furthers her work in mental health by being a full-time well-being counselor for an alternative school in Washington, DC, along with telehealth therapy consulting.

Dr. Esteban González Burchard, M.D., M.P.H., is a Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Specialist—he’s a proactive Physician-Scientist, delving deep into Medicine, Genetics, Immunology, Epidemiology, and Clinical Pharmacology.

His passion lies in uncovering the intricate connections between race, genetic ancestry, and health outcomes. Driven by a desire to address the diverse makeup of the U.S. population, he spearheaded a dynamic international team comprising approximately 60 experts, including physicians, pharmacists, and scientists. Together, they conducted the most extensive gene-environment study on asthma, eczema, and drug response among 16,000 African American, Puerto Rican, and Mexican children.

Most of his 370 publications have come from these data. His team combined advanced whole-genome and RNA sequencing data with social and environmental variables to study asthma, eczema, immunology, and drug response in racially mixed (admixed) populations. He is the most significant contributor of data from non-European populations to the NIH/NHLBI and shares his data worldwide. Notably, Dr. González Burchard is a pivotal figure in diversifying data contributions to the NIH/NHLBI, generously sharing his findings globally. His tireless commitment extends beyond research, as he actively mentors physicians, scientists, and students, championing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science and medicine.

Dr. Kevin S. Smith, Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Affiliations at the Morehouse School of Medicine, stands as a distinguished leader in obstetrics and gynecology. With a foundation laid during his residency and fellowship training at Stanford University Medical Center, Dr. Smith has embarked on a journey marked by impactful roles. Notably, as Director of Gynecology and Reproductive Health for the West Oakland Health Council, he forged a transformative partnership, providing telehealth wrap-around services for underinsured pregnant patients, thereby revolutionizing access to care. In his role as Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology for the Alameda Health System, Dr. Smith led pioneering initiatives aimed at dismantling healthcare disparities among marginalized communities. Under his stewardship, the department initiated groundbreaking programs, including the Women’s Reproductive Health Equity Fellowship, and introduced innovative models like the Black Centering Prenatal Care program, focusing intently on enhancing health outcomes for Black pregnant and birthing people. Dr. Smith’s unwavering commitment to addressing racial disparities resonates further through his endeavors at Howard University Hospital, where he secured grants and conducted research on conditions disproportionately affecting Black patients, notably fibroids and endometriosis. Holding a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences from Northwestern University and a Doctor of Medicine from the Medical College of Ohio, Dr. Smith is certified by the American Board of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. His academic journey includes completion of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Program for Chairs of Clinical Services and the California Healthcare Foundation Leadership Fellowship. Among his accolades, Dr. Smith has earned recognition as a Super Doc in the Washington Post and received Top Doctor honors in the Washingtonian Magazine.

Kevin Dedner is an experienced public health executive with over twenty-five years of experience solving complex public health problems. Kevin most recently served as founder and CEO of venture-backed Hurdle. At Hurdle, Kevin led the company in implementing the first multicultural telemental healthcare framework, culminating in the expansion of operations to 27 states via relationships with national and regional payers, and community-based partnerships. Hurdle was acquired in the summer of 2023.

Kevin is now working with a select group of investors to launch an AI-powered platform to provide trustworthy health information, referrals to care, and care support to underserved communities with targeted priority populations.

Kevin is a best-selling author. In his first book, The Joy of the Disinherited: Essays on Oppression, Trauma and Black Mental Health, he details his personal story, eye-opening research into the effects of racism on mental health, and a manifesto for knocking down the invisible barriers to mental healthcare.

Kevin is an award-winning public speaker and often serves as a featured keynote speaker at health conferences and on panels, speaking to the research and needed policy changes. He is widely respected for his convening leadership, which has informed the mental health equity movement. He currently serves as an Optum Clinical and Scientific Advisory Council member. In 2021, Kevin was named one of the top 50 in Digital Health by Rock Health. In 2022 and 2023, he was named one of the Black healthcare leaders to know by Becker’s Hospital Review.

Kevin graduated from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville and has a Master of Public Health from Benedictine University in Illinois.

Leon D. Bournes is a man on a mission. As a man of God, a devoted husband, and a proud father, he is passionate about promoting community health and wellness. With over 20 years of experience in the recreation and fitness industry, Leon has made it his life’s work to inspire individuals to embrace healthier lifestyles.

A University of Lynchburg Sports Management graduate, Leon began his career in the fitness industry in 2008, quickly rising through the ranks as a sales manager. Not content with remaining in a managerial role, he transitioned into a Personal Training Director position, earning his certification in 2009. He spent the following five years as a personal trainer, honing his skills and developing a deep understanding of what individuals need to achieve their wellness goals.

In 2011, Leon poured his heart and soul into establishing the Bourne 2 Fly Fitness company. Driven by a strong passion to create a space where individuals could transform their lives, he made it his mission to build a community hub for health and wellness. He took the bold step of transitioning to an independent training schedule in 2013, working with clients throughout the Washington DC area. His hard work paid off, and he was able to establish the very first Bourne 2 Fly gym in the NE DC neighborhood where he grew up.

Bourne 2 Fly has become a beacon of hope and inspiration, not just for its members but also for the wider community. It’s more than just a gym; it’s a social and wellness space where individuals can connect with likeminded people on the path to better health. Leon’s gym also partners with organizations involved in health and nutrition advocacy work. During the pandemic, Bourne 2 Fly gave away hundreds of pounds of organic produce to undeserved communities, demonstrating their commitment to promoting health and wellness to all.

Leon’s unwavering commitment to community health and wellness has earned him recognition and honors from city council members. In his capacity as a fitness services provider, Leon has touched the lives of countless individuals, inspiring them to take charge of their health.

Leon continues to lead the Bourne 2 Fly organization, training clients, and developing new programs and initiatives to inspire the community towards wellness.

George Woods, M.D., is a licensed physician specializing in neuropsychiatry. His focus is on
neurodevelopmental disabilities, traumatic brain injury, neurocognitive impairments, mood disorders, and trauma. His clinical subspecialties are neuropsychiatry and consultation liaison psychiatry. In his clinical practice, he assesses and treats individuals with a variety of medical problems, that may present with psychiatric manifestations. In his forensic practice, he performs forensic consultations for criminal and civil matters. Dr. Woods has taught at the University of California – Davis (1996-2000) and Morehouse School of Medicine (2002-2016). For the past ten (10) years, he has been a lecturer at the University of California – Berkeley Law School on the subject of “Law and Mental Health” with Jennifer Johnson, J.D. From 2012-2018 Dr. Woods and Ms. Johnson taught a continuing education webinar, “Where Mental Health Meets the Law,” produced by Thomson Reuters-West Legal Education. He is a faculty member of Practising Law Institute (PLI), based in New York and San Francisco.

Dr. Woods is the Chief Scientific Officer for Crestwood Behavioral Health, the largest psychosocial rehabilitation provider of behavioral health congregate care in California. Crestwood focuses on trauma-informed recovery. He is also on the Board of Directors for Roots Community Health Center; the Governing Board of the Stanford University Health Alliance (MSSP) Accountable Care Organization, LLC; a Community Board Member for Stanford Medical Partners; the Advisory Board of Cal-Pep; and Board Chair for Felton Institute. He is the current president (second term) of the International Academy of Law and Mental Health (IALMH). Dr. Woods was selected as the 2018 Distinguished Alumnus for the University of Utah Medical Center, the first psychiatrist ever selected. In 2019, he received the Historical Prixe from the University of Milan in Italy. George works with legal teams dealing with complex criminal and civil litigation, as well as startup and early ventures. He has also worked with multiple companies, including Vulcan Industries, Microsoft, DeepSpan, New Level Work, and Walmart on psychometrically and culturally competent employment testing procedures, as well as neurophilosphically effective algorithms. He has presented and published articles on the topics of forensic assessment of neurodevelopmental disorders; race and cognition; cognitive impairment; intellectual disability; neuropsychiatric accommodation of the American Disability Act; aging in the workplace; financial deception in elderly populations; comorbidity; trauma, advances in neuroimaging and neuroscience; and the cultural implications of artificial intelligence.

In addition to spending time with his granddaughters, George’s passion is bringing his deep understanding of body/brain functioning and its impact on behavior to technological solutions in medicine, neuropsychiatry, business, and social policy.

P. Frank Williams, an Emmy and 8-time NAACP winner, serves as the Director and Executive Producer of the new Hulu documentary “Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told.” Additionally, he acted as the Executive Producer and Showrunner of the 50 Cent and Mona Scott-Young produced series “Hip Hop Homicides” on WeTV and ALLBlk in 2022. Hosted by Van Lathan, the series investigated the murders of rappers such as Pop Smoke, Soulja Slim, XXXTentacion, Magnolia Shorty, and more. He also held the position of EP/Showrunner for the Tina Knowles-produced Discovery Plus & OWN four-part series “Profiled: The Black Man.”

Furthermore, Williams served as a Co-Executive Producer for the BET show “Copwatch America,” a documentary series addressing police brutality. Prior to this, he worked as an Executive Producer at TMZ and as a Supervising Producer for FOX’s “Who Shot Biggie and Tupac.” Originating from Oakland, Williams also functioned as a producer and co-host of the A&E Biography investigative series “Who Killed Tupac?” alongside civil rights attorney Ben Crump. He has previously held roles as a director and senior producer for TV One’s acclaimed “Unsung” and “Unsung Hollywood” documentary series, which garnered multiple NAACP Image Awards.

During the 90s and early 2000s, Williams served as the Executive Editor of The Source Magazine, where he conducted interviews with Dr. Dre, Suge Knight, Lauryn Hill, and more. His career commenced as a reporter at the Los Angeles Times in the mid-1990s. He is an alumnus of San Diego State University and The Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.

In 2024, Williams is executive producing a series set to air on multiple networks, including TV One, TUBI, and others. He is also the founder and president of For The Culture By The Culture, an urban content creation company based in Los Angeles with satellite offices in Atlanta and the Bay Area.

Jenise Weddington is a Respiratory Care Professional and Healthcare advocate. She has worked with the Pediatric population as a Respiratory Therapist for over 25 years. Her current role is staff Clinical Educator.

Jenise is an American Heart Instructor, mentor and community volunteer. She grew up in Philadelphia and is an alumnus of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University School of Allied Heath. She also holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.

Jenise resides in the metropolitan Atlanta area where she currently volunteers with a transitional living facility, and is actively involved with the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.

American author. He is the author of the children’s book titled Carter: My Dream, My Reality which is published through Mascot Books.

Dr. Lankford is an Oakland and Walnut Creek based urologist, specializing in urologic oncology and penile aesthetics. He grew up in the Bay Area and attended the University of California, Berkeley, majoring in molecular and cellular biology.