Nina Ahmad, Ph.D., is an At-Large member of Philadelphia City Council, where she made history as the first South Asian American, first Muslim woman, and first immigrant in recent history to serve citywide. A scientist by training, Councilmember Ahmad brings a data-informed approach to policymaking while championing public health, equity, and economic opportunity for all Philadelphians.

As Chair of City Council’s Public Health and Human Services Committee, Councilmember Ahmad has advanced legislation to protect youth from illegal vape sales; expand access to electric vehicle charging in underserved neighborhoods; strengthen oversight of the City’s child welfare system; and prevent workplace discrimination against employees experiencing menstruation, menopause, and perimenopause.
Her recent legislative wins include: (1) a voter registration bill that requires landlords to provide voter registration information to renters at lease signing or renewal, expanding access to the ballot for tens of thousands of Philadelphians; the bill passed Council unanimously and was signed into law by Mayor Cherelle Parker on October 29, 2025, making it one of the only voter registration measures of its kind in Philadelphia’s recent history; and (2) a bill expanding membership on the City’s Economic Opportunity Review Committee (EORC) to include the Asian American Chamber of Commerce and the LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce, ensuring those communities have a direct voice in how public dollars are spent.
Since joining City Council, she has secured more than $1.5 million in City funding to support healthy food access through The Food Trust’s Food Bucks program; expand direct, community-based healthcare services through Greater Philadelphia Health Action; and provide implicit bias training for perinatal and neonatal healthcare teams through Once Upon A Preemie. She also secured $500,000 for a 2026 anti–human trafficking awareness campaign focused on prevention, education, and survivor-centered outreach.

A former Deputy Mayor for Public Engagement and a President Obama appointee to the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs, Dr. Ahmad holds a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania. She has two daughters and lives in Mount Airy with her husband and their dog, Oscar.

Catherine Hicks was born and raised in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood and educated through the city’s public school system. Her passion for communications began in high school, where she made daily announcements and later studied communications at LaSalle University. Catherine launched her career in marketing and radio production before becoming an entrepreneur, co-founding HDA (Hicks Dry-Cleaning Association) and Impress Dry Cleaners, operating four successful locations across Philadelphia.

Her career expanded into healthcare communications with leading providers HMA and Keystone Mercy, and later as Director of Project Management and Communications for the Philadelphia Sheriff’s Office, where she oversaw media relations, community outreach, and public education campaigns on foreclosure prevention and homeownership. In 2012, she joined the Philadelphia Sunday SUN as Public Relations Consultant, cultivating relationships with civic, business, and political leaders and co-producing the radio show Freedom Quest. She became Publisher and Co-Owner in 2015, continuing the paper’s legacy of empowering Black voices and advancing community journalism.

In 2021, Catherine was elected President of the Philadelphia Branch NAACP, becoming only the second woman to lead the nation’s oldest civil rights organization at the local level. Under her leadership, the branch has focused on expanding membership, strengthening community partnerships, and addressing issues of racial equity, education, voting rights, and economic empowerment. Catherine is committed to upholding the NAACP’s mission of ensuring political, educational, social, and economic equality for all people. She also serves with numerous civic and professional organizations and finds her greatest joy in her family—her two daughters and five grandchildren—who continue to inspire her lifelong dedication to service and justice.

Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr. is a board-certified forensic pathologist and is proud to serve as the 126th President for the National Medical Association, the oldest and largest group representing Black physicians in the country. He recently served as the President of Howard University Hospital one of the most historic hospitals in the nation. Prior to his time as President, Dr. Mitchell was a tenured Professor of Pathology and Chief Medical Officer for the Faculty Practice at Howard University where he worked on issues related to quality, safety, and the physician enterprise.

Dr. Mitchell served as Chief Medical Examiner for Washington, DC performing and managing thousands of autopsies and death scenes. At one point, he was the youngest chief medical examiner in the country. At the end of his tenure as chief in DC, he was appointed as Interim Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice where he developed programs and policy for violence prevention.

He is the co-author of the book entitled Death in Custody: How America Ignores the Truth and What We Can Do About It, published by John Hopkins Press. He recently served on the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine Advancing the Field of Forensic Pathology: Lesson Learned from Death in Custody Investigations. He is the co-host of the recent NAACP Image Awards nominated podcast entitled Official Ignorance – The Death in Custody Podcast.

Mitchell attended undergraduate studies at the Howard University, medical school at Rutgers – New Jersey Medical School, pathology residency at the George Washington University Hospital, and forensic pathology fellowship at Office of the Chief Medical Examiner – New York City.

Tony serves as the Senior Fellow within the Center for Health Equity at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he leads national initiatives aimed at eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity. In this role, Tony provides strategic leadership on key projects and leverages his expertise in chronic disease prevention, exercise, and physical activity to support healthier outcomes in historically underserved communities.

Prior to joining the NAACP, Tony was a Senior Research Associate at the Georgia Health Policy Center, where he served as the Technical Assistance Lead for projects supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. There, he provided guidance to rural communities across the U.S. to enhance capacity and improve health outcomes through innovative, community-centered approaches.

Tony is passionate about collaboration and connection, often acting as a bridge between partners and resources to maximize impact. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia State University Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the Strategic Advisor - Mission Delivery and member on the national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the Arthritis Foundation. He is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), committed to advancing accessible and inclusive health education.

Health Commissioner for the Department of Public Health. Dr. Raval-Nelson has worked for the department since 1996 when she began her career as a public health sanitarian. Prior to her appointment as Health Commissioner in 2024, she served as Deputy Health Commissioner. This followed her tenure as a supervisor, manager, administrator, and director of Environmental Health Services.

Dr. Raval-Nelson also serves as adjunct faculty at Drexel University's School of Public Health and Temple University. She teaches environmental and occupational health, as well as vulnerable populations and the environment. She has presented many papers at NEHA, PPHA, and APHA, and has had several publications in the National Journal of Environmental Health. In 2008, she published her first book, Breast Cancer Politics: An Evaluation of the Current Funding Policies. She has graduated from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Environmental Public Health Leadership Institute.

Dr. Raval-Nelson has her B.S. in Biology from Temple University, her M.P.H. from MCP Hahnemann University (graduating with the distinguished Hiega Society Award), and her Ph.D. in environmental health and policy from Drexel University. She is a member of the Delta Omega National Public Health Honor Society. She was recognized in 2006 by the Society of Women Environmental Professionals as an outstanding woman environmental professional for the Delaware Valley.

Dr. Raval-Nelson is deeply committed to working with vulnerable populations and being a voice for marginalized communities to ensure equity and environmental justice. She has been a civil servant for 28 years and believes in helping people.

White House Correspondent April Ryan has a unique vantage point as the only Black female reporter covering urban issues from the White House - a position she has held for over 28 years, since the Clinton era. She is now the longest-serving Black member of the press corps. Her position as a White House Correspondent has afforded her unusual insight into the racial sensitivities, issues, and attendant political struggles of our nation's past presidents.
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April is the Washington D.C. Bureau Chief for Black Press USA. She has been featured in Essence, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, and Elle Magazines to name a few. April Ryan has served on the board of the prestigious White House Correspondents Association. She is one of only four African Americans in the Association's over 100-year history to serve on its board. She is also an esteemed member of the National Press Club and the Gridiron Club. In 2015, Ms. Ryan was nominated for an NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Literary Work-Debut Author) for her first book. 2016 National Council of Negro Women, Mary McCloud Bethune Trailblazer. In 2017 April was the Journalist of the Year for the National Association of Black Journalists.

In 2019 April Ryan became an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and was recognized as the 2019 Freedom of the Press Award Winner by the Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. April was nominated in 2021 for the NAACP Image Award for Social Justice Impact. April is a Baltimore native and Morgan State University graduate, and she gives back to this community by serving as a mentor to aspiring journalists and assisting with developing "up and coming" broadcasters. April considers her greatest life's work raising her two daughters, Ryan and Grace- who are phenomenal young women.

April Ryan is the author of the award-winning book, The Presidency in Black and White, and At Mama's Knee: Mothers and Race in Black and White (December 2016), where she looks at race relations through the lessons and wisdom that mothers have given their children. April is also the author of Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House. Her latest book, Black Women Will Save the World, celebrates Black women's resilience and unheralded strength, reflects on "The Year That Changed Everything" — 2020 — and discusses African-American women's unprecedented role in upholding democracy.

Andrew K. Sanderson II, MD, MPH, FASGE is a board-certified Gastroenterologist with 18 years of clinical experience. Dr. Sanderson was named Associate Dean for Health Equity at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University in April 2025.

Prior to this role, he served as Chief Medical Officer for the Water Environment Federation (WEF) where he led efforts to develop and deploy health operational and safety protocols on behalf of more than 35,000 skilled North American water treatment professionals.

Dr. Sanderson also served as the senior medical officer with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health; and as Division Chief of Gastroenterology, associate program director and associate professor at Howard University Hospital and College of Medicine. He continues to serve as an adjunct professor for Howard University’s Master of Public Health (MPH) program.

He is a founding board member for ElevateMeD, a non-profit organization focused on training diverse medical students to be physician leaders; and served as elected vice president for the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health Alumni Association.

Ms. Sullivan is an award-winning civic, legal and business leader with decades of experience working in and with the life sciences companies. As Head of External Engagement and Health Equity Strategy for Sanofi Ms. Sullivan's portfolio includes US health equity strategy, executive engagement and government relations. Committed to public service, from 2013- 2015, Ms. Sullivan served in a cabinet level position with the Boston Public Schools as its inaugural Chief Equity Officer. Ms. Sullivan is the President of NAACP New England Area conference. In addition, she serves as chair of Governor Maura Healey's Advisory Council on Black Empowerment and as a member of the Boston College Law School Rappaport Center for Law and Public Policy Advisory Board. She received several business and civic recognitions, including the BBJ 40 Under 40, Power 50, 100 Most Influential Leaders in Boston and BC Law Alumna of the Year.

Dr. Deshawnda Williams is a passionate scholar-practitioner in the field of Clinical Social Work and Special Education. She is a practicing Social Worker who serves as a Social Entrepreneur addressing the social and environmental issues internationally. She holds a Masters Of Social Work degree from Tulane University, in New Orleans, LA, a Masters Degree in Education, specializing in Special Education, from Arcadia University, in Glenside, PA, a Doctoral degree in Ministry from Palmer Theological Seminary Eastern University, in St. Davids, PA. Presently, Dr. Williams looks to pursue her PHD in Social Policy and Practice at University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.

She has worked in the mental health field for over 23 years where she has delivered Family Focused Therapy (FFT), Attachment-Based Therapy with Children, Adolescents and Families (ABT), Greif Trauma Support, Mental Health Strategies for corporate and independent companies. As a certified Functional Behavior Assessor, Dr. Dee eagerly applies her experience and compassion with the consumers she services as they begin to address issues that will help them to improve their quality of life and attain a sense of fulfillment. In 2015, Dr. Williams ran for public office for State Senator-District 3 and in 2023 for the office of City Council At-Large in Philadelphia, PA.

Dr. Williams is the CEO/President of On The Right Track With Dr. Dee which serves as the umbrella for three nonprofit organizations that are community based called Cerebrum: One Mind At A Time (Mental Health Awareness Initiative), H2H (Hood 2 Hood) and Peculiar Daughters Ministries, Purple Queen Publishing House, Purple Queen Film Productions, Mindful Solutions Human Services, LLC, SJBJ Enterprise, LLC, and On The Right Track Consulting, LLC.

Dr. Williams was recently appointed the 1st Vice President of the NAACP Philadelphia Branch, serves as the Executive Chair of the Health Committee-NAACP Philadelphia Branch, Chair of Mayor’s Faith-Based Initiatives & Interfaith Affairs Roundtable Health Subcommittee, member of PA-NOW, Free the People Coalition, Healing Communities, Black Clergy of Philadelphia & Vicinity, Inc, and National Coalition of 100 Black Woman.

She is a dynamic, humorous, no-nonsense speaker and the insightful author of An Examination Of An Urban Church Addressing The Stigma Of Mental Illness and co-author of Project We Are Free. A frequent radio talk show guest, Dr. Williams has been featured at Queens Lair Christian Talk Show, Single On A Saturday Night Relationship Talk Show, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth, Money Matters, Nicole Rae Ministries and On The Right Track With Dr. D and Dr. J.

Dr. Williams served as former Senior Pastor of New Inspirational Baptist Church from 2011-2017, after the passing of her late Pastor and Father, Dr. Barry J. Williams, Sr. Currently she serves as Pastor of Evangelism & Missions at New Inspirational Baptist Church under the leadership of her brother, Pastor Barry J. Williams, Jr.

Patrice Willoughby is Chief of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the NAACP, advancing the NAACP’s racial equity mission after two decades in government and the private sector.

Patrice served as Chief of Staff and Counsel to the late Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones (OH-11), the first Black woman to serve on the tax writing House Ways and Means Committee. As Counsel, Patrice guided legislation to enhance retirement security and expand SBA lending programs. Following the 2008 death of Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, Patrice served as Executive Director of the Congressional Black Caucus under Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13), supporting passage of the Recovery Act, Dodd-Frank Financial Reform, and the Affordable Care Act.

Following Capitol Hill, President Obama appointed Patrice to be Deputy Associate Administrator of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the General Services Administration. She later entered the private sector, leading the government relations practice at Signal Group in financial services and technology.

Patrice earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Case Western Reserve University, a Master of Arts from the University of Cincinnati, and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She is a board member of the Women's Institute for a Secure Retirement (WISER), N Street Village (housing and recovery services for women), and Fort Dupont Ice Arena in Southeast Washington, D.C.

Patrice was awarded “Washingtonian Magazine” 500 Most Influential in Policy, 2025, “The Hill” Top Lobbyists in multiple years, and in 2022, Lifetime Achievement by the Washington Government Relations Group of Black government affairs professionals.

Patrice is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church of Washington, D.C.