CONTESSA METCALFE, MD, MSPH

Contessa Metcalfe. MD, MSPH, -aka- Dr. Contessa, is a celebrity physician known from her five seasons as a main-cast member on Bravo's "Married to Medicine.” She is currently featured in several movies and tv shows.

Dr. Contessa focuses on providing empathetic care and is an expert in lifestyle medicine. She believes that empowering patients through emphasizing disease prevention and maintaining health is the key to brigoritessa has personal experience with finding answers for her own health and knows what a difference the right care provider can make. In fact, her own experience with functional medicine is the reason why she's passionate about helping others improve their own health. She is the owner of Chastain Integrative Medicine in the Buckhead region of Atlanta, Georgia. Dr. Contessa lives by the motto, "Prevention is the key to healthy living." Dr. Contessa Metcalfe attended Xavier University where she earned her undergraduate degree. She then attended Saint Louis University School of Medicine, and residency at the National Naval Medical Center and Meharry Medical College. She is a double-board certified physician who focuses on preventive, occupational and family medicine.

MARIA BOYNTON, PhD

Dr. Maria Boynton is a recipient of the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award which honors those in our nation who exhibit outstanding character, work ethic, and dedication to their communities. She is a member of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame and was also presented Resolutions from both the Georgia State Senate and House of Representatives for her career and community contributions.

Boynton was awarded the 2021 Legacy Visionary Award by the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC Atlanta). Maria has been named among Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence by the Atlanta Business League and was honored as an International Trailblazer. She is also a member of the National Kidney Foundation Atlanta Advisory Board. Maria is a member of the Board of Trustees for Albany State University. She has served as an Executive Board Member of the Albany State University National Alumni Association and as President of the DeKalb County Alumni Chapter of Albany State University. She is the recipient of three Alumnus of the Year awards from the Albany State University National Alumni Association. The organization has also awarded Maria its Community Service Award multiple times. Boynton has dedicated numerous hours to community service, along with advocating for financial assistance for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Maria is the News Brand Manager & Public Affairs Director for Audacy Atlanta, formerly Entercom and CBS Radio Atlanta. In that role, Maria supervises the news and traffic reporters. She is also the Morning News Anchor for V103 and WAOK and the host of the Public Affairs program “Atlanta Up Close with Dr. Maria Boynton” which is broadcast and streamed on V103, WAOK, Star 94.1, and 92.9 The Game. Maria joined Audacy following two decades of covering presidential campaigns, more than a decade at CNN, and after working in some of the country’s major media and broadcast markets, including New York City. Boynton produces, edits, and anchors the long-form segments for the Public Affairs programming on the Audacy Atlanta radio stations.

As a professional journalist, Boynton is currently featured in the true crime series Real Murders of Atlanta on the Oxygen and Peacock Networks. Maria’s video interview with former Congressman and Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall about the “Decriminalization of Marijuana” was featured on Essence.com. The Nancy Grace program “Crime Stories" on SiriusXM utilized Maria as a reporter. Among Boynton’s other honors are two Peabody Awards and two DuPont Awards for collaborative efforts. She also has a number of Associated Press awards from Georgia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Maria received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Albany State University and holds a Doctor (H) of Philosophy and Humane Letters degree from Trinity International University of Ambassadors.

A Speech and Theater major while at Albany State, Boynton's talents are displayed in the upcoming series Oscarville, the Netflix documentary “Seeing Allred", in “Karen” the movie, and in Stepp Stewart’s production of Marsha Norman's Pulitzer Prize winner “’night, Mother”.

Maria is a frequent MC/Host for charity events including the Lupus Foundation of America-Georgia Chapter, the National Kidney Foundation, and the American Cancer Society. Maria is a member of the Marietta-Roswell (GA) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

DASHAUN JOHNSON – AKA- THE GURU OF ABS

DaShaun Johnson, also known as THE GURU OF ABS in the fitness industry, is a native of Decatur, Ga who passion for fitness began 11 years ago when he landed a job at LA fitness in Atlanta, GA. It was then that he realized he was destined be a group fitness instructor and personal trainer who would change people’s lives for the better through fitness and nutrition. After much hard work and dedication, he was presented with his first big opportunity to be a sponsored Nike Training Club (NTC) instructor.

Today, DaShaun focuses on his new all-natural dietary supplement line and tours the country offering innovative Body Sculpting programs that has helped transform the physiques of people all over the world. His body sculpting programs include a seated exercise program designed specifically for senior citizens titled Senior Body Sculpting which has been featured on local and national news stations such as Fox 5 Atlanta News and CNN Headline News (HLN). DaShaun also offers a 360 Body Sculpting for anyone desiring to focus on strength training and weight loss and his latest innovative creation, Sculpt-In-42 Body Sculpting Online Training Program that will feature instructional, LIVE classes & workouts.

Recognized as one of the BEST abdominal specialists in the fitness industry, DaShaun continues to be a pillar of positive change in the fitness community, motivating his clients to be the very BEST versions of themselves while following his lead.

COMEDIAN DEGARIO “DOUBLE D” TURNER

Degario “Double D” Turner is by far one of the most fun - loving comedians out on the circuit today. His comedic style is his personality, mostly real-life situations that he converts into eye-tearing jokes. His dialog is light-hearted and refreshingly hilarious, which adds to a perfect blend of comedy that is guaranteed to leave everyone laughing in their seats.

Degario coined the name “Double D” due to having a speech impediment (stuttering) and always saying thing twice, hence the comedic name “Double D” The unique thing about his comedic delivery is that he does not stutter on stage. His star potential extends as a skilled writer with the ability to write for other comedians regardless of their style or age. This young gifted comedian from Sparta, Georgia, migrated to Atlanta in 1991 to hone his comedic skills. In less than two years he became so impressive that many veteran comics wanted him to accompany them on the road. In just a short time in the business, Degario “Double D” Turner has performed in every major city at various events/venues, clubs, and theaters. He has opened and featured for major acts such as: John Witherspoon, Mark Curry, Don DC Curry, Sommore, Bruce Bruce, Chris Tucker, Gary Owens, Rickey Smiley, Monique, Kat Williams, Mike Epps, and Tyler Craig and Toured with Lavell Crawford.

“Double D” made his television debut on BET's Comic View in 2000. He then returned in 2001, 2002 and 2005. His acting credits are inclusive of an appearance on the LBS Tax Services commercial, a feature role in an independent film "Just Kickin It" as Stutter-Man, and Cheaters (Indie film). He recently appeared in the Slice 3 movie in his first action scene. 2018 Lead role in “Fatal Attraction” 2019 Guest Appearance in Nick Cannon’s ”Like a Boss. “Meet the browns” Kev On Stage” 2022.

During the Royal Comedy Tour, hosted by D.L. Hugley, “Double D” was the opening act for Don DC Curry, Sommore, J Anthony Brown (2010), and also taped the Bounce TV “Uptown Comic” comedy special (2012) He recently opened up for Katt Williams on his Growth Spurt tour (2014) along with being the opening act for the 2014 Bronner Brothers Show in Atlanta, GA. (2014)

“Double D” has a warm spirit that makes you feel you've known his personally for a very long time. He travels extensively overseas to various countries sharing his brand of humor. You can call him the postman of comedy because he always delivers a great performance. He does not have to use profanity and gross sexual gestures to shock his audience for cheap laughs. He is an exceptional and extraordinary comedian that loves meeting his audience after each performance to thank them personally for coming out.

Whether you need something to laugh at or someone to laugh with, Degario “Double D” Turner is a comedian who always delivers.

Rashad Richey, JD, PhD

You’ve seen him on MSNBC, Fox News, CNBC, and other national media platforms debating issues that matter to you. He’s the 2023 recipient of the top TV media award from the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association and NBC Universal, and the daily television opinion news anchor for ‘Indisputable With Dr. Rashad Richey’, a nationally syndicated program through the TYT Network and recently ranked, the “Fastest Growing TV News Show in America”, by H.E.G. Evaluation Group, with over 3 million viewers daily. The show’s companion Facebook Watch and YouTube pages have over 2.3 million followers and growing. Coupled with Dr. Richey’s SirusXM Urban View show, The Dr. Rashad Richey Review, and his podcast Indisputable, which is ranked in the top 5% of most listened-to podcasts in America according to the LA Monitor, Dr. Richey is noted as one of the most influential scholars and social scientists in American culture by national publication, America News Now.

Dr. Richey, who is the first Political Analyst to earn an Emmy nomination at CBS News Atlanta, is also the daily talk radio personality for the award-winning Rashad Richey Morning Show on News & Talk 1380-WAOK and V-103 HD3, where he was voted Best Talk Radio Personality in Atlanta by readers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and named Most Trusted Voice in Atlanta by the Atlanta Business Journal, making him the first Black broadcaster to receive these distinctions.

America’s youngest inductee into the National Black Radio Hall of Fame, Dr. Richey was recently inducted into the very exclusive National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, where trailblazing leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Justice Thurgood Marshall, Oprah Winfrey, and Ambassador Andrew Young, are all honored recipients.

A noted philanthropist, researcher, and university professor, Dr. Richey holds multiple academic positions, including Visiting Scholar at Clark Atlanta University, Professor of Physics and Department Chair at Paris Graduate School in Paris, France, and Professor of Business at Morris Brown College. Dr. Richey has provided keynote addresses and lectures for some of America’s most prestigious institutions including the National Society of Black Physicists, the largest professional organization of Black physicists in the world, the University of Michigan, Mercer University, Reinhart University, and Morehouse School of Medicine to name a few.

Dr. Richey is the founder of The Rashad Richey Foundation, Inc., where he coordinates mentoring programs, educational opportunities, and cultural awareness trips for gang-affected and gang-affiliated youth. He is the trailblazing President of Rolling Out Magazine, the largest free-print urban publication in America. Rolling Out prints nationally in 25 markets weekly, has a monthly readership of 2.5 million readers, and over 500,000 combined social media followers, providing news, entertainment, political, business, and health-related content from the intentional lens of Black culture.

Dr. Richey often says, “What I know, you know”, believing that education is not simply for knowledge but should be utilized to help transform communities. He completed his doctoral research studies at Clark Atlanta University in higher education federal policy reform and earned a second Ph.D. from the Business University of Costa Rica, where his research focused on the intersectionality of politics and religion contextualized through national policy norms. Furthermore, he completed studies in Executive Leadership at Cornell University and was accepted into the specialty executive law program in International Financial Transactions at Harvard Law School. Dr. Richey additionally holds a Doctor of Law in International Immigration Law and World Economies from Azteca University and a Master of Laws in Humanitarian Law.

Dr. Richey recently completed his Juris Doctor (law degree) at Renaissance University and accepted a position at the International Law Group of Human and Civil Rights Attorneys, P.C., also known as The Fairness Firm, as their Director of Global Legal Operations. The Fairness Firm has offices in the US, Canada, France, Spain, and Cape Town, Africa.

Wanting to understand more about the functionality of the human brain, Dr. Richey obtained his Master of Science in Neuroscience from the University of Pacific, where his master's thesis critically analyzed neuronic brain activity and neural synchronization. After completing 43 full-length courses in physics from MIT through their Open Course Ware program, Dr. Richey, in 2021, enrolled in a Master of Science program in Applied Physics and Quantum Mechanics at Universidad Empresarial, and completed the degree in January 2023. His master’s thesis was adapted into a book, and quickly became a best-selling physics book on the Amazon platform titled, “Ancient Egyptian Mastery of Quantum Physics, Vibratory Frequency, and Geometric Sciences: An Overview of Complex Scientific Applications in Ancient Cultures”. Presently, Dr. Richey is a researcher and doctoral student in the quantum physics program at PGS and received the President’s Scholar Scholarship through the Innovative Knowledge Institute.

Dr. Richey’s physics research, which specializes in brain entrainment (en-train-ment) processes through the application of sound frequency technology to produce neuronic hemispheric synchronization aiding in the stimulation of dormant or suppressed brain functionality, may be effective at creating barriers against drug/alcohol addiction relapse and forms of dementia. Current research has shown promising signs of enhanced cognitive abilities, mental clarity, and advanced memory recall.

Dr. Richey’s research led to the invention of the Neurological Brain Entrainment Device which has potentially demonstrated that Alzheimer’s, a medically incurable disease, may be reversible. Dr. Richey received provisional patent status from the United States Patent & Trademark Office and clinical trials for the device are set to start in 2024.

Understanding the necessity of equitable policies in healthcare, culture, and education, Dr. Richey serves on the board of directors for Piedmont Atlanta Hospital and is a member of the American Bar Association, International Bar Association, Delta Phi Theta Law Fraternity, Atlanta NAACP, National Society of Black Physicists, and the American Association of University Professors.

Cassandra Smith, MBA

Cassandra Smith currently serves as the Director, Health Equity, Enterprise Advocacy Relations at Amgen. She has over twenty years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, joining Amgen in June 2023. In this role, Cassandra collaborates with and connects internal and external stakeholders to implement strategic plans that align with the company's vision and values around addressing health disparities.

Cassandra earned a Bachelor of Science degree in General Science with a concentration in Biology from The Pennsylvania State University, and a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Marketing from St. Joseph’s University. Cassandra is a Philadelphia native, and she currently lives just outside of Philadelphia in South Jersey with her partner, Raymond, 2-year-old daughter, Seneca, and puppy, Teddy.

Elizabeth Ofili, MD, MPH, FACC

Dr. Elizabeth Ofili is a nationally and internationally recognized cardiologist practicing at Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, Georgia, where she has helped to raise over $200 million to fund pioneering research and training infrastructure. She has over 30 years of experience, studying and treating heart disease with particular focus on cardiovascular disparities in the African American community, as well as women’s health. In her capacity as Founder & CEO of AccuHealth Technologies and Health 360x, a patient centered platform for population health management and clinical trial diversity, she leads the African American Heart Study, a ground-breaking nation-wide observational study of lipoprotein (a) in 5,000 participants across the country.

Dr. Ofili serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Black Cardiologists (ABC), is the immediate past Board Chair and was the first female president of the ABC, during which time, she led the initiative to implement the landmark African American Heart Failure Trial (AHEFT), whose findings changed practice guidelines for the treatment of heart failure in African Americans. She has received over 50 national awards, including “Changing the Face of Medicine: The Rise of America’s Women Physicians” Exhibit at the National Library of Medicine. She is an elected member of the National Academy of Medicine, which is considered one of the highest honors in the fields of health and medicine and recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievement and commitment to service.

Dr. Ofili graduated with distinction from Ahmadu Bello University School of Medicine, Zaria Nigeria, received the Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, Internal Medicine residency training at Oral Roberts University, Tulsa OK, Cardiology and Research Fellowship training at Washington University, St Louis, MO, and Advanced Echocardiography Research Training at St. Louis University.

DR. CEE NICOLE

Dr Cee Nicole, aka Dr Courtney Whittle, was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. She attended UC Berkeley where she obtained a BA in Social Welfare. She then obtained a Master’s in Social Work and MD from USC and completed her Pediatric residency at UCLA. She and her husband currently live in Atlanta with their 6 kids. Dr Cee Nicole served as the first Pediatric Obesity Champion for the Kaiser Southeast Permanente group. In this position, she helped provide standard of care education for providers, as well as created patient evaluation and management workflows for the pediatric and family medicine departments. She currently serves on two American Board of Obesity Committees, and is proud to be one of the authors for the 2023 Obesity Medicine Association's Obesity Algorithm. She also will be one of the authors for the 2024 Algorithm as well. Dr Cee Nicole is a question writer for the obesity board certification exam and also serves as an obesity content reviewer for Medscape. In an effort to increase access to patients most affected by obesity, our community, Dr Cee Nicole founded Weight A Minute Clinic, which is an adult and pediatric obesity telehealth practice, and is currently accepting new patients in Georgia. Weight A Minute Clinic uses a patient centered approach and provides all the resources needed to treat and address obesity in one place including nutrition education that is relatable, virtual yoga, behavioral health resources and recipes. It is Dr Cee’s goal to kill obesity quicker than it is killing us!

JENNIE JOSEPH

Jennie Joseph is a British-trained midwife who fights to ensure every person has their healthiest possible pregnancy, birth and postpartum experience with dignity and support.

Jennie created The JJ Way® which is an evidence-based, maternity care model delivering readily-accessible, patient-centered, culturally-congruent care to women in areas that she terms 'materno-toxic zones'. Her focus and drive is to ensure that Black women and other marginalized people remain safe and empowered inside broken and inequitable maternity health systems that are dangerous and all too often, lethal.

She is the Founder and President of her own non-profit corporation Commonsense Childbirth Inc. whose mission is the elimination of racial disparities in maternal child health in the USA. Commonsense Childbirth operates a national training institute, health clinics and a birthing center in Orlando, Florida, and the National Perinatal Task Force, the grassroots organizing and movement-building arm of her non-profit. She is also the owner of the first and only Black-owned, nationally- accredited, private midwifery school in the United States.

Jennie is the founder and a proud member of The Council of Midwifery Elders, is a Fellow of The Aspen Institute and she serves on the Advisory Council for the Congressional Black Maternal Health Caucus. Jennie was commended by the Georgia Assembly in 2023 with an honorary House Resolution HR561 after being recognized as a TIME Woman of The Year in 2022 for her work in promoting perinatal equity.

A proud honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Inc., Jennie has most recently re-released her book - Beautiful! Images of Health, Joy and Vitality in Pregnancy and Birth. She has launched a new podcast, The Perinatal Pause, because she is determined that more Americans understand the word ‘perinatal’ and why it impacts all of us so deeply - and as Jennie often says, “...it literally is a matter of life and death!”

L. CASEY FLOWERS

Lauren "Casey" Flowers is a Registered Dietitian and Board Certified as a Diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She obtained her MS in Clinical Nutrition at the University of Memphis in Tennessee. Her thesis was completed at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and was published in the Journal of Nutrition in Clinical Practice. Initially, Casey utilized her clinical nutrition skills in the hospital in-patient ICU setting before shifting her focus to out-patient weight management in bariatrics. In Nashville, she worked as the Program Dietitian where she assisted in the improvement of patient outcomes by developing and re-vamping support group programs and the center’s social media presence. Casey has focused her career on improving health equity in weight management and bariatrics, and accepted a position at Morehouse Healthcare in Atlanta, Georgia. She also enjoys teaching plant-based nutrition in a community cooking class and weight management curriculum to dietetic, pharmacy, and medical students. As an active member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, she has assisted in the development of the Weight Management Practice Group’s resource page, written for Weight Matters Magazine, and appeared on the local Memphis and Atlanta news. Casey currently sits on the Education Committee for the Georgia ASMBS Chapter, and she has served as co-director for the ASMBS 2022 and 2023 Nutrition Course. Most recently, Casey was awarded the Excellence in Nutrition award at the ASMBS 2023 National Conference this past June in Las Vegas, Nevada.

STACY A. JOHNSON, MD, PhD

Dr. Stacy Johnson is an Associate Medical Director in Clinical Development at Vertex Pharmaceuticals in Boston, MA. Prior to joining Vertex, Dr. Johnson worked as an Assistant Professor in the division of nephrology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN. While at UTHSC, Dr. Johnson helped to train medical students, residents and nephrology fellows.

Dr. Johnson served as the medical director for the acute dialysis unit and plasmapheresis service at Regional One Hospital - Memphis’ only level 1 trauma center and main safety net hospital, catering to many uninsured patients. She has over 10 years of experience practicing nephrology in diverse clinical settings.

Darlene Ruffin-Alexander

Dr. Darlene Ruffin-Alexander, President and CEO of Healthcare Administrative and Clinical Solutions, Inc. @ SCTBI in McDonough, Georgia, is recognized by her peers as “The Dean of Long-Term Care.”

Ruffin-Alexander holds a Ph.D., and MS. from LaSalle University, a DD from Atlantic Coast Theological Seminary, ITC Morehouse and other certification in her field of study. Undergraduate studies include BS St Francis University, AD El Centro College and Palestine School of Nursing. Darlene Ruffin-Alexander has the distinction of being the first African American to lead or share leadership at each of the major healthcare companies in the USA.

As a motivational speaker Dr.Darlene Ruffin-Alexander brilliantly challenges her staff and audiences exposing inconsistencies, In complicated human and health affairs. She has received numerous awards and honors for dedicated efforts in the community, state and the nation such as Philla Works Most Inspiring Woman, named in the fourteenth edition of Who’s Who in Black Atlanta, inducted into the Institute of Excellence in Nursing (NBNA), Her speech, “Nursing Shortage…A Crisis in the Making” has been entered into the records of the Commission. on nursing. Named Houston’ Woman of the Year in Medicine (YWCA), Vanguard Award of Excellence in Leadership (NWOA), Difference Maker Award (Lincoln/Story Alumni), Signa Theta Tau International Honor Society Nurse of the Year.

Ruffin-Alexander is past president of National Women of Achievement, Inc., (#6), President Emeritus of Atlanta Black Nurses Association, past chair of nominating committee of NCNW, past president of Henry County Section and state parliamentarian of NCNW. Currently serves as State Coalition President for the State of Georgia. She has held various leadership positions as a first African American in her field across the USA. Ruffin-Alexander is listed in Who’s Who in Nursing and Who’s Who in Leadership as well as Strathmore’s Who’s Who Honors.

Ruffin-Alexander currently serves on the board of directors of Gamma Phi Delta Sorority, Inc., she was the chartering president of the Alpha Gamma chapter in the South Atlantic Region, the first chapter charted in the state of Georgia, she has served in various roles in GPD over the past fourteen years.

She is a Life Member and Rose Pin Honoree, the highest honor for members making a difference in the community. Ruffin-Alexander is the Associate Pastor of The Lindsay Street Baptist Church of Atlanta, Georgia, where A.A. W Motley is senior pastor.

Mother to three, grandmother to eight - two doctors, three educators, ATF officer, a chemist and a college senior, a musician, (six instruments) and a physiologist, and great grandmother to three.

A change agent, a difference maker, a health care professional, a preacher and knows “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

CORYNNE L. CORBETT

Corynne L. Corbett joined Black Health Matters in October 2023. She is an accomplished media professional and lifestyle expert who has spent her career creating content that educates and empowers diverse audiences.

Previously, Corbett was the Beauty Director of Essence, the premier lifestyle magazine for Black women. She served as both an editor and an advocate dedicated to her readers' unique and diverse beauty needs. Before Essence, she held the post of Executive Editor at Real Simple, overseeing fashion, beauty, food coverage, and staff development.

Corbett came to Real Simple after serving as editor-in-chief of Heart & Soul. Throughout her tenure there, Corbett promoted physical, spiritual, and emotional well-being as a total life experience for African American women. Before joining Heart & Soul, Corbett was the editor-in-chief of Mode, a publication that radically changed the fashion magazines' landscape with its focus on real-sized women. She began her publishing career at Elle, rising from editorial assistant to senior beauty, health, and fitness editor.

Corbett is a graduate of Pratt Institute and the University of Maryland College Park. Her career story is included in the Library of Congress as part of The HistoryMakers Collection, the nation's most extensive African American video oral history collection.

Lynn Paxton, MD, MPH

Dr. Lynn Paxton obtained her undergraduate degree in Romance Languages and Civilizations from Princeton University, her medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), and her MPH from UC Berkeley. She began her public health career as an Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer at CDC. After EIS she spent 4 years in Uganda as the Chief Technical Advisor for the Rakai STD Control for HIV Prevention Study then returned to the US and CDC where she oversaw the completion of several HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis studies that became the basis for new USPHS guidelines.

From 2013 to 2017, Dr. Paxton was CDC’s Resident Advisor in Tanzania for the President’s Malaria Initiative.  From 2017 until her retirement in 2018, she was the Zika Coordinator for CDC’s Center for Global Health. She retired as a Captain in the Commissioned Corps of the US Public Health Service. During her retirement, she traveled extensively and volunteered for various community entities including the Decatur Education Foundation and the Decatur Visitors Center. In April 2020 Dr. Paxton became the Fulton County District Health Director.

Nicole M. Adams

A native of Atlanta, GA, Nicole M. Adams is a TV & Entertainment industry and media sales veteran, and she is the Senior Engagement Manager for Black Health Matters.

Nicole is an active member of the Atlanta civic and philanthropic community, Nicole shares her extensive knowledge of the digital media industry, board governance, development/fundraising, media relations and community engagement expertise by donating her time to non-profits in need.

Nicole serves on the board of the Black owned Wellness Spot, Atlanta Airport District & Convention Bureau’s and the Outreach Ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.  Nicole is an active member of the Woodward Academy Alumni Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, National Association of Broadcasters and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

Kendal K. Whitlock, MPH

Coming Soon

Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH,

Demetre Daskalakis, MD, MPH, is the Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, where he leads CDC’s efforts to detect, prevent, and respond to vaccine-preventable and respiratory infectious disease threats. Most recently, he served as the Director of the Division of HIV Prevention in CDC’s National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. Dr. Daskalakis has been recognized nationally and internationally as an expert in HIV prevention and has focused much of his career on the treatment and prevention of HIV and other STIs as an activist physician with a focus on LGBTQIA+ communities. He also served as the Deputy Coordinator of the White House’s Mpox Response, where he successfully led vaccination and public education efforts that helped to halt the advancement of the virus.

Erinn Hoag Goldman, PhD

Dr. Erinn Hoag Goldman is a Medical Director with the Global Hematology Medical Affairs group at Pfizer. Her current role is focused on Multiple Myeloma. Erinn’s 15 years of experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries has spanned both solid tumors and hematologic malignancies and includes over a dozen peer reviewed publications and congress presentations. She is proudest of the work she does supporting the safe and effective use of Pfizer medicines in rural and underserved communities.

Erinn holds a BA from Yale University and a PhD in molecular biology from Emory University. She completed postdoctoral training in epidemiology at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, GA. Erinn lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband, 3 children, and rescue dog.

London Wills, PhD

London Wills Drives Health Equity at Johnson & Johnson. Man of God. Proven leader. Forward thinker. Positive change agent. These words embody London Wills, a passionate trailblazer in the healthcare industry with a track record of creating innovative solutions. With over 20 years at Johnson & Johnson, London currently serves as the National Policy & Advocacy Director, Health Equity, where he spearheads strategic initiatives to address healthcare disparities and build a more equitable healthcare system. Drives strategic business development in response to evolving healthcare landscapes, ensuring Johnson & Johnson stays at the forefront of positive change. Champions health equity, spearheading initiatives that dismantle barriers and ensure equitable access to quality healthcare for all. Fosters collaboration across diverse stakeholders, from government agencies to patient advocacy groups, building powerful partnerships for positive impact.

London's commitment extends beyond corporate walls. He actively invests in future leaders, serving on the boards of The Dream Academy and Kappa Youth Foundation, and mentoring young professionals. He leverages his expertise on various advisory boards, including the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalition's Health Equity Advisory Board and Old Dominion University's School of Business Executive Advisory Council. London's dedication to community engagement shines through his roles with the Oak Creek Homeowners Association and the African Ancestry Leadership Council.

Bachelor of Science in Management Information Systems from Old Dominion University. Master of Business Administration from Hampton University. Doctor of Philosophy in Healthcare Administration from Northcentral University. London Wills is a force to be reckoned with, driven by a deep-rooted faith and a tireless dedication to building a healthier, more equitable world.

JaBaris Swain, MD, MPH

Dr. JaBaris Swain is a Medical Executive at Johnson & Johnson, visiting us from Philadelphia, PA—USA.

Dr. JaBaris Swain's journey began at Janssen Pharmaceuticals in July 2020. Initially a clinical lead physician, he now serves as Medical Executive for Health Systems Integration, aligning strategy for cardiovascular medical affairs with the quintuple aim.

Beyond pharmaceuticals, Dr. Swain is a cardiothoracic transplant surgeon-scientist and global health scholar. His humanitarian work in Rwanda and Haiti enhances healthcare access through cardiac surgery and education.

Academically, he holds a medical degree from the Medical College of Georgia, an MPH from Harvard, and completed surgical training and a fellowship in cardiopulmonary transplantation at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital. His research focuses on gene therapy for heart failure.

Currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Wharton, Dr. Swain mentors at Pearlman School of Medicine and directs the Dr. Ala Stanford Center for Health Equity, advancing health equity and reducing disparities in Philadelphia.

Dr. Swain’s professional aspirations are deeply intertwined with the vision of the Yoko Village Health and Wellness Clinic. He strives to create spaces where healthcare is not just about treating illnesses but also about promoting well-being and preventing diseases. He aspires to continue working in healthcare, collaborating with dedicated teams to create patient-centric models of care that are accessible, inclusive, and effective. Ultimately, he wishes to contribute to the establishment of healthcare systems that prioritize the physical, mental, and emotional health of individuals, leading to healthier communities and more vibrant society as a whole.

Lee Woodall

Lee Woodall; Minister, Community Leader, Sports Coach, Spiritual Coach, Life Coach, Super Bowl Champion, Motivational Speaker, Health and Wellness ambassador, Leader in Safety in Youth Sports. He is currently the on the Board of Directors of the NFL Alumni. After playing collegiate football at West Chester University, he was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 1994. Lee went onto play 8 years in the NFL, was named to 2 Pro Bowls (1995 and 1997), and won Super Bowl XXIX with the 49ers.

Lee has a nonprofit called men of Destiny 54 Foundation. They help men, women, families, and former athletes rebuild themselves in the community, social media, resume writing, goal setting, and much more. Lee’s nonprofit has allowed him to launch the first ever Transition Boot Camp for retired NFL players, spouses or accountability partners. This will launch in 2021 which bears the name of “NO EXCUSES NFL Alumni TRANSITION BOOT CAMP." He is also currently writing a book called Transitions, with a work book of 10 former NFL Athletes discussing an excerpt of their life dealing with their perspectives of transition from perception, self-sabotaging, underlying purpose behaviors and more. Lee is not just a champion on the field but he is also a champion in life. Lee loves speaking to youth, teaching corporate businesses on team, mentoring athletes both youth and professionals, ministering, and putting on his speaking tour of Dare To Be Different. Lee is married to Terri Barnett-Woodall. Formally known as Terri Matthews. Lee and Terri have a blended family of 7 kids. Lee loves Spending time with God, His wife, his family, his friends, and his community.