SPEAKERS DIRECTORY

Danica The Diabetic shares her holistic approach to living life as a diabetic and as a Duke trained health and well being coach. Danica brings more than ten years of experience in the healthcare industry.. Her areas of expertise and professional skills include guiding organizations through strategic initiatives, best practice analysis, training, diabetes management, preventative care, multi-million cost savings initiatives, patient advocacy and improving patient behavior through health communications.

V. Jesse Smith, a professional and motivational leadership speaker, strategist and coach, who specializes in helping individuals, entrepreneurs and employees, become influential leaders and dynamic public speakers.

Ashley Kirkwood is an international speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning lawyer. She believes that you should use The Currency of Confidence® to create a life custom-designed for you. In fact, that’s the title of her signature talk, performed at colleges and corporations nationwide. She has helped doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, consultants, therapists, DEI experts, and many other experts package and position their expertise to land large corporate and collegiate speaking contracts.

Visionary, life coach, author and motivational speaker, Dr. Regina Boateng helps individuals develop a strategic action plan to achieve their goals. With over 15 years of working in the federal government, she empowers and inspires others by sharing her story of overcoming various adversities as an African American woman in leadership.

Chrissy Thornton is the President and CEO of Associated Black Charities and has a background in fundraising, donor & corporate relations, digital engagement, grant writing, and executing meetings, events, training seminars, team building sessions, education conferences, fundraisers, & peer-to-peer activities! She is a published author who believes in entrepreneurship and financial literacy and is a sought-after speaker on DEI, Health Equity & Access, Entrepreneurship, Energized Leadership, Wealth Building, Women's Empowerment, Stakeholder Engagement, and Motivation.

Dr. Kami (pronounced kah-MEE) Anderson is an interculturalist, scholar and language advocate. Her primary focus is family empowerment through language with an emphasis on application and confidence. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Spelman College, a Master’s degree in International Affairs/Interdisciplinary Studies in International Communication and Anthropology from American University and a PhD in Communication & Culture from Howard University

Dr. Katashia Partee Kendrick, Clinical Pharmacist and Integrative Health Practitioner, her journey reflects determination and resilience. With solid educational credentials from Xavier University of Louisiana and the University of Tennessee, she pursued Integrative Health certification, ignited by her struggles with fibroids, endometriosis, infertility, and more. Founding Celebrate Health & Wellness Consulting LLC in 2021, she focuses on preconception health, guiding women towards parenthood through holistic approaches.

From inspiring youth to empowering leaders, Dr. J’s mission is to help others find their place in STEM. After spending years at the bench, she decided to pivot her career to pursue her passion: Motivating and helping others to gain clarity and confidence as they navigate their STEM careers. Dr. J has an uncanny ability to connect with any audience through storytelling, compelling narratives. and practical guidance.

Darius Fennell is an author, speaker, coach, and mental health & therapy advocate. He has published his book, Leaving Jupiter: Navigating Your Anxiety Recovery, and has been featured in Rally Up and Helpful Living mental health magazines. Darius strives to dismantle stigmas and encourages people who struggle with mental health to never lose hope, find courage to seek help, and advocate for their own mental health recovery.

Dr. Walker is a retired NYC school administrator, former pastor, and former NCAA Division 1 college basketball referee. His life experiences have set him on a journey to work with individuals who want to live a champion’s life. He inspires his audiences to overcome an underdog mindset to see that your entire life experience is your advantage in life. He speaks locally and nationally at schools, churches, community events, and conferences. Dr. Walker earned his doctorate from Northeastern University and a Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary.

Dr. Caldwell is a speaker, author, and trainer to emerging leaders and corporations. Few have walked a more improbable path from the homelessness to the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies. Companies hire Dr. Caldwell to assess the risks and build action plans for a lacking DEIB practice. Black leaders, hire Dr. Caldwell to help reach their professional aspirations. As an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University, Dr. Caldwell teaches doctoral classes on Leadership and Social Justice.