In his role as Vice President, Policy and Legislative Affairs, Cedric is responsible for leading the process to develop, grow, and maintain an influential position for the NAACP, impacting federal and state public policy initiatives. Cedric started his journey in public policy via the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's Emerging Leaders program in 2009. Since then, he has worked with Congressman Bennie G. Thompson, including the House Homeland Security Committee offices. Cedric has varied policy experience in the private sector, having consulted with numerous startups and long-established businesses on issues including entertainment, micro mobility, housing, transportation infrastructure, and energy.

As head of Modular Feedback, Chris Hemphill’s charge is to help healthcare leaders and innovators “Reclaim the Algorithm.” Where Big Tech’s AI prioritizes clicks and doom scrolling over wellness, Healthcare AI has more serious obligations to patients, providers, and payers.

Hemphill draws on experience leading & creating Healthcare AI efforts since 2018 at companies like Actium Health, VP of Applied AI and Woebot Health, Sr. Director of Commercial Intelligence.

Chris’s leadership in mitigating AI’s biases & expanding outreach to underserved Black and Asian communities led to a fellowship with NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy Research in 2022. Chris continues to drive health equity AI initiatives there.

Outside the work in data science, Chris co-hosts a podcast, Hope, Power, and Healthcare with Melissa Reilly, who is a veteran in healthcare strategy & innovation. The mission with nearly a decade in AI and sharing the podcast: Remind healthcare leaders that they have agency and accountability in building the future of healthcare.

Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader and social change agent. In her practice, she focuses on health justice, community-based advocacy, and population-wide health promotion and disease prevention. A celebrated visionary and apostle of public health, Dr. Chris serves as the Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. The Center is charged with driving equitable health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems while valuing the whole person. Prior to joining the nation's oldest and most venerable civil rights organization, she launched The Esther Group, a public health consulting and health equity strategy firm. As founder of The Esther Group, she lives the mandate to dare a future where organizations, communities and systems can innovate for a better world and humanity.

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. Janeana White serves as the Interim Chief of Medical Services for the Houston Health Department. Dr. White promotes public health practices, value-added hazard analysis and risk assessments to ensure that the health and social well-being of the community is fulfilled. She is an active clinician, teacher, mentor and patient advocate who finds fulfillment in caring for communities and values informed care with shared decision-making.

Dr. White received her pre-med and medical training at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan before completing her internship and residency in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Houston. At UTHSC, she served as a Pediatric Chief Resident and completed a primary care fellowship that focused on public health practices in pediatrics.

Dr. White serves on several boards, committees and professional organizations. She is a Milbank Memorial Fund's Emerging Leader, promoting a health equity lens to improve population health to legislative and executive branch government officials, and a Homeland Security Executive Leadership Program graduate from the Naval Postgraduate School.

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.