Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha is the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Founder and Director of the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice (CBMHRJ), and of the Maternal Outcomes of Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab. She also serves as Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the university’s Public Health and Professional Degree Programs.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha’s research has been presented and published in numerous print and online media (80 manuscripts, 6 book chapters, self-authored book, and a textbook on culturally responsive evaluation) as well as featured on various platforms including The Lancet, BBC, USA Today, MSNBC and the New York Times.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha received her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services before completing her Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Maryland. She also completed the Kellogg Health Scholars postdoctoral fellowship with an emphasis on community based participatory research and health disparities.

Charles Johnson has suffered an unimaginable tragedy that strikes too many families – and has made it his life’s mission to save others from the same fate. In April 2016 Charles’ healthy and full-of--life wife, Kira, gave birth to their second beautiful child. But Kira immediately began struggling in ways that the hospital staff could not explain, even as Charles watched and implored the staff that something was horribly wrong. Kira died within hours. Charles was understandably overcome by grief – grief that turned into outrage. He channeled his pain and his passion into founding a nonprofit, 4Kira4Moms, that is dedicated to changing systems to better prevent birth-related deaths. 4Kira4Moms advocates for improved maternal health policies and regulations; educates the public about the impact of maternal mortality in communities; provides peer support to victims’ family and friends; and promotes discussion of maternal mortality as a human rights issue. Charles has shared his story and advocated for change through countless live events and media appearances all over the country, including at the March for Moms rally in Washington, D.C., last year. Last September he testified before the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health about the need to pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017 – which, as you know, was indeed passed by Congress and signed into law. When he is not advocating to improve maternal health practices, Charles is busy raising his two sons, Charles V and Langston.

Derek M. Griffith, PhD is the Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Population Health and Health Equity University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. At Pennsylvania, he also is a Fellow and Senior Advisor on Health Equity and Anti-Racism for The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics, while outside of Penn he serves as the Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health. Trained in psychology and public health, Dr. Griffith’s research focuses on achieving racial, ethnic, and gender equity in health. He specializes in interventions to promote Black men's health and well-being, and anti-racism interventions to mitigate and undo the effects of structural racism on health. He has been the principal investigator of research grants from the American Cancer Society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and several institutes within the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Griffith is a contributor to and co-editor of four books, including - Racism: Science and Tools for the Public Health Professional, 2nd Edition that was published in October 2024. Dr. Griffith has received four noteworthy honors: (a) Tom Bruce Award from the Community-Based Public Health Caucus of the American Public Health Association for his research on “eliminating health disparities that vary by race, ethnicity and gender”; (b) a Fellow of the American Academy of Health Behavior for his significant contributions to the field of health behavior research; (c) one of 1,000 Inspiring Black Scientists in America by the Cell Mentor’s Community of Scholars; and (d) a citation from the president of the American Psychological Association “For his extraordinary leadership in addressing the impacts of racism on the health and well-being of the nation and specifically for African American and Latino men.”

Kenn Harris is a 2024 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow and recipient of the 2024 APHA Martha May Eliot Award. He is principal of the newly launched consultant firm, The Emu Consultants, LLC. His personal philosophy is found in his business tagline, “looking back to leap forward”, which is rooted in his belief about the importance that history plays in our future. What drives him every day is his hope for better outcomes for all. His immediate past job was as Vice President for Engagement and Community Partnerships at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ) in Boston, MA where he was also the Director and Principal Investigator of the Heathy Start TA & Support Center, funded by the HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau. His professional career in MCH and public health spans almost 35 years. While at NICHQ for the past five years, Kenn created vision for Healthy Start TA & Support Center and established an innovative and responsive center to serve over 100 grantees across the country. He enhanced and strengthened the work of Healthy Start communities across the country committed to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities in birth outcomes. In addition to addressing infant and maternal mortality, Kenn partnered with the MCH community to ensure fatherhood and men’s health was included in MCH services. He continues to build on his experience with the federal Healthy Start program which began in 1991. He is co-creator of the Core Adaptive Model for Fatherhood (CAM©), an evidenced-informed model for fatherhood/male involvement programs. He also partners with the National Partnership for Community Leadership (NPCL) on the Fatherhood Learning Academy and Responsible Fatherhood Mentoring Academy. Kenn co-authored and published an article “The Health of Young African American Men” in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA, 2015).

Andre Nelson is a dedicated advocate for maternal and child health, with a particular focus on the vital role of fathers in addressing health inequities. As a Senior Project Manager of Data and Evaluation at the National Institute for Children's Health Quality (NICHQ), Andre has led initiatives aimed at integrating fatherhood involvement into maternal health programming to improve outcomes for families. His efforts have centered on bridging gaps in services, addressing systemic barriers, and promoting the inclusion of fathers during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Andre's commitment to supporting father-inclusive practices extends to his work with the ARIAH Foundation, where he has served on the board for nearly three years. The foundation is dedicated to helping Black men heal from trauma and empowering them to be active participants in family and community health. His board service has further solidified his role in advancing fatherhood initiatives and advocating for policy changes that support family-centered health care. As a coauthor of the ""Fatherhood in Maternal Child Health Programming"" report, Andre has contributed valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities of engaging fathers within the maternal health continuum. His thought leadership in this area has been instrumental in driving systemic change, fostering supportive networks, and developing community-based solutions that recognize fathers as essential partners in ending the Black maternal health crisis.

Along with charisma and leadership, Sundé brings to the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice over a decade of experience in providing strategic guidance and advice to senior leadership, maximizing budgetary resources, expanding partnerships, and improving operations. It has been said of Sundé that she has a buoyancy and positive, forward-thinking outlook; Sundé takes the initiative to identify problems and devise solutions, she organized the day-to-day operations to Swiss clock precision and her communication skills of are a high order.” Sundé’s strong background in business, the pharmaceutical industry, and academia fuels her passion for public health and life science research, improving operational efficiency and shaping organizational strategy and culture. Her career has afforded her to work with companies and institutions such as Pfizer, Boston University, Boston Medical Center, and Harvard University. Sundé received her BA in Biochemistry (Eastern University) and holds a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Business (University of the Sciences Philadelphia), and she has also studied law. She is a Certified Life Coach, Notary Public, and a Certified NFL Contract Negotiator.

Emily Lycurgo Teixeira is from Cape Cod, MA attending Tufts University as a first-generation American and college student studying Spanish Cultural Studies and Biology. Her interest in reproductive and maternal health started young in her own family with the rich culture surrounding birth in Brazil and other Latin American countries. Emily speaks English, Portuguese, and Spanish and believes that representation and multiculturalism is an essential step to eradicating negative social determinants of health. She hopes to give back to her community one day as an obstetrician. Emily is currently Co-President of Maternal Advocacy and Research for Community Health (MARCH), the maternal health student organization at Tufts University.

Kimberly Pothemont is a fourth-year undergraduate at Tufts University, majoring in Community Health and Cognitive & Brain Sciences. Originally from Brooklyn, NY, and a PREP 9 scholar, she is deeply committed to addressing disparities in Black maternal and reproductive health. Kimberly serves as a Junior Administrative and Research Assistant at the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice and is a member of the Community Engagement, Advocacy, and Policy Committee at the MOTHER Lab. She plans to pursue a career in maternal and child health, integrating research, advocacy, and policy to advance reproductive justice.

Brian (He/Him) is a 1st year MPH Candidate with a concentration in Healthcare Management. He graduated from Tufts University with a BA in Community Health and a minor in Africana Studies. He works at Cambridge Health Alliance as a Milieu Therapist for children 3-13 years old and as a Research Assistant in the Maternal Outcomes for Translational Health Equity and Research Lab. He is interested in improving underserved communities' health outcomes through preventative and primary care. Beyond academics, he is an active musician proficient in rhythm section instruments.

Omari Maynard is a father, artist, activist, and a culture and narrative strategist. His life experiences have been featured in the award-winning documentary, Aftershock, streaming on Hulu. His work on maternal health issues, artivism, and fatherhood has been featured on various platforms such as Good Morning America, ABC Nightline, The Breakfast Club on Power 105, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, raising awareness on the tragic epidemic of maternal health. He has been a recipient of the Dupont Columbia Award, Peabody Award, and Emmy Nominated. He currently resides in Brooklyn, NY. Omari received his bachelor degree in Marketing from Hampton University, an MBA and a Masters in Sport Business Management from the University of Central Florida, and a Masters degree in Special Education from Long Island University. Before becoming a full time creative he worked in the field of sports and education for twenty plus years. In 2016 Omari and his life partner, Shamony Gibson, started their own business. Artfulliving is a lifestyle and event planning business with an emphasis on artistic expression. Unfortunately, Shamony transitioned on October 6th, 2019, due to medical malpractice after giving birth to their second child. After the tragic and preventable death of his beloved partner, Shamony Gibson, Omari and his mother-in-law, Shawnee Gibson founded the ARIAH Foundation. The foundation seeks to support individuals, families and communities who experience the devastating Aftershock associated with maternal/infant morbidity and mortality. ARIAH provides mental, physical, emotional and/or spiritual assistance to support the affected families as they navigate the impact of these traumatic experiences.

Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha is the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Founder and Director of the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice (CBMHRJ), and of the Maternal Outcomes of Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab. She also serves as Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the university’s Public Health and Professional Degree Programs.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha’s research has been presented and published in numerous print and online media (80 manuscripts, 6 book chapters, self-authored book, and a textbook on culturally responsive evaluation) as well as featured on various platforms including The Lancet, BBC, USA Today, MSNBC and the New York Times.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha received her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services before completing her Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Maryland. She also completed the Kellogg Health Scholars postdoctoral fellowship with an emphasis on community based participatory research and health disparities.

Dr. Brandon Frame is a visionary leader, educator, and advocate dedicated to uplifting Black men and boys. Currently, he serves as a professor of Social Emotional Learning at Sacred Heart University and Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of TheBlackManCan, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to amplifying the narratives of Black men and boys, showcasing their brilliance and capabilities.

His impact extends beyond education and nonprofit work. He is the co-founder of #hiphoped and the author of Define Yourself, Redefine the World: A Guided Journal for Boys and Men of Color and the beloved children's book My First Tie.
His contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, BET’s Next in Class honor in education, and the Change Maker of the Year recognition. His work has been featured in Black Enterprise, the Boston Globe, and Essence, as well as on major networks like CBS, NBC, ABC, BET, HLN, and NY1. A proud Bronx native, Dr. Frame holds a doctorate from Boston University and a bachelor's degree from Morehouse College. In all he does, he relentlessly pursues excellence with impeccable effort.

Dr. Chimaobi Obilo Amutah is a dedicated father, lifelong educator, and equity researcher with over 20 years of experience in a variety of education policy, practice, and research settings. In policy, he has worked for the New Jersey Department of Education for over ten years in numerous roles related to data analysis in support of district and school improvement. In practice, Dr. Amutah has delivered hundreds of lessons in math, world history, U.S. history, and other courses to students in grades 6-10 as a classroom teacher as well as graduate students as an adjunct professor. In research, he has designed, conducted, and published original research focused on issues related to educational equity, especially with regards to parental advocacy and class.

Dr. Amutah hold a bachelor’s degree in African and African American Studies with honors from Harvard University where he won numerous awards for public service and leadership. Following his time at Harvard he taught middle school and high school social studies in Mississippi as part of the highly selective Mississippi Teacher Corps program which couples full-time teaching in a high-needs school with a fully funded master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi. He also taught mathematics for charter schools within the KIPP network in both Arkansas and Pennsylvania. He received his Doctor of Education degree in education, culture, and society from Rutgers University in 2017 where he was a two-time Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. At present, Dr. Amutah continues to work in education policy in New Jersey supporting school and district improvement efforts statewide.

Along with charisma and leadership, Sundé brings to the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice over a decade of experience in providing strategic guidance and advice to senior leadership, maximizing budgetary resources, expanding partnerships, and improving operations. It has been said of Sundé that she has a buoyancy and positive, forward-thinking outlook; Sundé takes the initiative to identify problems and devise solutions, she organized the day-to-day operations to Swiss clock precision and her communication skills of are a high order.” Sundé’s strong background in business, the pharmaceutical industry, and academia fuels her passion for public health and life science research, improving operational efficiency and shaping organizational strategy and culture. Her career has afforded her to work with companies and institutions such as Pfizer, Boston University, Boston Medical Center, and Harvard University. Sundé received her BA in Biochemistry (Eastern University) and holds a Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in Pharmaceutical Business (University of the Sciences Philadelphia), and she has also studied law. She is a Certified Life Coach, Notary Public, and a Certified NFL Contract Negotiator.

Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha is the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine, Founder and Director of the Center of Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice (CBMHRJ), and of the Maternal Outcomes of Translational Health Equity Research (MOTHER) Lab. She also serves as Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the university’s Public Health and Professional Degree Programs.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha’s research has been presented and published in numerous print and online media (80 manuscripts, 6 book chapters, self-authored book, and a textbook on culturally responsive evaluation) as well as featured on various platforms including The Lancet, BBC, USA Today, MSNBC and the New York Times.

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha received her Master of Public Health from The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services before completing her Ph.D. in Public Health from the University of Maryland. She also completed the Kellogg Health Scholars postdoctoral fellowship with an emphasis on community based participatory research and health disparities.

Brian Worrell is the Boston City Councilor for District 4, which includes Mattapan, Dorchester, and parts of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. A native Bostonian, Brian was raised by parents who migrated to the United States from Jamaica and Barbados in search of the American dream. As Vice President of the Council and Chair of the Ways & Means Committee, Councilor Worrell has successfully advocated for additional investments in housing, small business, quality of life, college and career readiness, and community safety. He has been a strong advocate of black maternal health, securing city grants programs for local providers each of the past two budget cycles.

Omari J. Young, MD currently serves as Residency Program Director for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He previously held the same position for the Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University Program in Flint, MI. He completed his undergraduate education at Kalamazoo College in 2009 with a B.A. in Chemistry while also being a student-athlete in the football program. He completed his medical education at the Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC where he was accepted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society in 2013. Dr. Young completed residency training at Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Residency in 2017. Clinically, he is active in General OBGYN and Complex Family Planning. This includes management of high-risk pregnancies and common gynecologic disorders such as abnormal uterine bleeding, uterine fibroids, and endometriosis. In addition to his clinical interests, he developed a passion for healthcare disparities, DEI, advocacy, and medical education across the undergraduate and graduate levels. He serves on multiple committees and initiatives locally, regionally, and nationally to improve the clinical learning environment of medical students, resident physicians, and faculty.

Demetrius Grosse, is an accomplished American actor and producer known for his dynamic roles in film and television. He gained recognition for portraying Rock in Straight Outta Compton and Deputy Emmett Yawners in HBO’s Banshee. Grosse has also appeared in 13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi, Rampage, and series such as Justified, Westworld, and Fear the Walking Dead.

Grosse’s artistic journey began at age 10 through the Summer Musical Theater Workshop, where he honed his skills in acting, singing, and dancing. He graduated from Gonzaga College High School and earned an Andrew Carnegie Undergraduate Grant to study at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama. Additionally, he trained at Howard University’s College of Fine Arts and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford.

A devoted family man, Grosse and his wife, Ashley-Nicole Grosse, are proud parents of four beautiful children, all born through successful natural births. He is currently the co-founder of Tahda Baby a website designed to help families find birth and fertility practitioners in their area.

Known for his versatility, Grosse has portrayed a wide range of characters and is set to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Eric Williams/Grim Reaper in Disney+’s Wonder Man. With a career spanning diverse genres and platforms, Grosse continues to captivate audiences worldwide with his talent and depth.