Derrick Johnson serves as the 19th president and CEO of the NAACP, a role he has held since October 2017. With a long history of leadership within the NAACP, including vice chairman of the National Board of Directors and president of the Mississippi State Conference, he has been instrumental in guiding the Association through a period of reinvigoration and transformation.

Under Johnson's leadership, the NAACP has taken on numerous impactful initiatives to advance racial justice, expose systemic inequities, and amplify the organization's advocacy for Black communities across the nation. Most recently, he spearheaded the launch of NAACP Capital, a fund of funds aligned with the NAACP's mission of achieving equity, political rights, and social inclusion for Black people and all persons of color. In 2020, Johnson led the "We Are Done Dying" Campaign, which exposed systemic inequities in American healthcare and beyond, further amplifying the NAACP's advocacy during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also oversaw the Jamestown to Jamestown Partnership in 2019, commemorating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of enslaved Africans in America.

As the Biden Administration came into office in 2021, Johnson led the charge in calling for a Cabinet-level position dedicated to advancing the nation's issue of racial justice. His efforts culminated in President Biden signing an Executive Order to eliminate systemic racial barriers, ensuring federal policies are rooted in equity.

Johnson is a frequent voice on networks such as CNN, MSNBC, CBS, and ABC, where he advocates for the Black community and all those impacted by systemic oppression and injustice.

Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH is President and CEO of Wellpoint Maryland, the largest Medicaid managed care organization in Maryland and wholly owned subsidiary of Elevance Health. In this role, Dr. Gray works to ensure Wellpoint’s members have access to high-quality care, have an exceptional consumer experience, and achieve equitable, whole health outcomes.

Dr. Gray previously served as the inaugural chief health equity officer of Elevance Health, during which time he successfully led the execution of the enterprise’s first comprehensive strategies to advance health equity through a whole-health approach (addressing physical, behavioral, social and pharmacy needs) across Elevance Health’s tens of millions of members. Notably, his efforts led to Elevance Health attaining the full, three-year National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Health Equity Accreditation for 22 of their Medicaid health plans in 2022 and Health Equity Plus Accreditation in 2023 including Wellpoint Maryland, an industry-first.

Prior to joining Elevance Health, Dr. Gray was an associate professor of medicine at The Ohio State University, where he served as a practicing gastroenterologist and medical director of healthy communities for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, as well as deputy director of the Center for Cancer Health Equity at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center. His work leveraged meaningful partnerships across public and private sectors in Ohio and nationally to reduce health inequities and address health-related social needs among diverse populations.

Additionally, Dr. Gray is co-founder of the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists and a member of the Founding Advisory Board for Meharry School of Global Health. He has published widely, including high-impact peer-reviewed journals such as New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Reviews, Lancet, and Cancer. Dr. Gray has also been featured in media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Forbes. He’s received numerous awards including the National Minority Quality Forum 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health Award, the Ohio Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. Health Equity and Awareness Award, and the Healio Disruptive Innovators Health Equity Award. Nonetheless, he cites his roles as husband to Brittney and father to Harper, Ella, Noah, and Zoë as his crowning achievements.

Dr. Gray is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and graduate of Morehouse College and Howard University College of Medicine. He completed his residency at Duke University Medical Center and gastroenterology fellowship at Washington University, subsequently earning a master’s degree in public health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health as a Commonwealth Fund Fellow.

Dr. Chetan Karyekar is a seasoned medical leader with over two decades of experience spanning Medical Affairs, Clinical Development, and translational science across immunology, rheumatology, and metabolic diseases. Known for his strategic vision and scientific depth, he has led global teams in advancing breakthrough therapies from early development through launch, with a consistent focus on improving patient outcomes and health equity.

Chetan holds an MD from the University of Mumbai, completed his residency in Medicine at Chicago Medical School, and earned a PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Maryland. He has authored approximately fifty peer-reviewed publications and presented at global scientific forums, sharing insights on real-world evidence, biomarker-driven development, and inclusive trial design.

At Sanofi, Chetan leads the Next Gen Immunology Medical team, shaping strategy across early- and latephase assets and partnering across R&D, regulatory, and commercial functions. He also drives collaboration models that connect patients and payers to the development of novel therapies. He is committed to making Sanofi a scientific powerhouse for patients with immune-mediated diseases, strengthening capabilities in Dermatology and Pulmonology while expanding into Rheumatology and
Gastroenterology.

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.

Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, MBA, CPCHE, ACC, is a leader focused on health and system-oriented approaches. As the Head of Public Health at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Dr. Buckley spearheads the strategy for advancing and achieving better health outcomes for the people and communities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Virginia regions. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, mentoring graduate students in community partnerships and change management. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Buckley is a dedicated public health practitioner who blends frontline experience with educational insights, leading transformational initiatives in organizational development, process improvement, health delivery system redesign, performance improvement, and change management.

Dr. Buckley's academic credentials include a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focusing on management, strategy, and organizational change. Additionally, he earned an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, a BS in Microbiology, and an MPH with a concentration in Infectious Diseases and Administration from Michigan State University. As a certified ICF coach, Dr. Buckley is deeply involved in public health leadership, serving as a former Executive Board Member at the American Public Health Association and on the National Board of Creating Healthier Communities. Locally, he contributes as a Board Member of the American Heart Association’s Greater Washington Region and Food & Friends, showcasing his commitment to community health and well-being.

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.

Curtis Peoples, Jr is a Physician Associate with over 10 years of experience in orthopedic spine surgery, specializing in spine care and sports medicine. He is a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University and Hofstra University. Curtis practices with one of the largest and leading orthopedic groups in the region, where he provides comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of spinal conditions, from sports-related injuries to complex chronic spine disorders.

Curtis is deeply committed to a holistic approach to health, recognizing that mental health is an essential component of overall wellness—particularly for individuals living with chronic pain. His approach to care emphasizes compassion, education, and evidence-based treatment strategies that address both the physical and psychological challenges of long-term pain. Through patient advocacy, community engagement, and health education, Curtis is passionate about empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and recovery.

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.