Dr. Ayanna Abrams is a licensed clinical psychologist in Atlanta and the founder of Ascension Behavioral Health, LLC. Her specialties include working with black women with symptoms of anxiety and depression, or who struggle with personal and professional relationships. She has extensive experience with black couples addressing emotional disconnection and dissatisfaction. She is the co-founder of Not So Strong, an initiative to improve the mental health and relationship functioning of black women through vulnerable storytelling.

A.R. Bernard enjoyed a successful career in finance before opening a storefront church in Brooklyn. From a handful of members, the church blossomed into the Christian Cultural Center with 40,000 members. Pastor Bernard’s popularity provoked The New York Times to honor him as the “Power Pastor." He’s been featured on Fox, CNN, Today, MSNBC, CBS, and BET, has a weekly program on Daystar, and was recently a guest on Oprah Winfrey’s SuperSoul Sunday.

Esi is a transformational beauty executive with decades of experience creating impact through purpose driven leadership and initiatives. She is leading Unilever’s US Beauty & Personal Care portfolio including iconic brands like Dove, Vaseline, and Shea Moisture where she’s championed Dove’s founding of the CROWN (Creating a Respectful & Open World for Natural Hair) Coalition & CROWN ACT and Shea Moisture’s work with the New Voices Fund for Women of Color Entrepreneurs.

Dr. Brewer is a board-certified cardiologist and Assistant Professor of Medicine within the Mayo Clinic Department of Cardiovascular Medicine. She is the first African-American woman cardiologist on the Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN staff. She earned her MD at George Washington University, MPH from Johns Hopkins University and BS, Chemical Engineering from Howard University. She has a passion for addressing cardiovascular health disparities through innovative, community-based interventions using technology for racial/ethnic minority populations, particularly African-Americans.

Dr. Coles is chairman and CEO of Cerevel Therapeutics, a Bain-portfolio biotechnology company specializing in new therapies for central nervous system diseases. He is also a founding investor and chairman of Yumanity Therapeutics, a biotechnology company focused on transforming neurodegenerative disease drug discovery. Dr. Coles is a member of the boards of the Metropolitan Museum, the Council on Foreign Relations and the Smithsonian African-American Museum. He was educated at Johns Hopkins University, Duke University and Harvard University.

Shanti Das is an accomplished entertainment industry veteran, mental health advocate, speaker, author, and philanthropist. Shanti has suffered from depression/anxiety over the years and has also experienced love ones affected with mental health disorders. As a result, Silence the Shame, Inc. was born in 2015. The movement started in 2016. She self-published her book, “Silencing MY Shame” in 2018. In addition to running her nonprofit, Shanti speaks at companies and universities sharing her story.

Entrepreneur, investor and social commerce innovator Richelieu Dennis has a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation that traces back to his family’s roots in Africa and is sustained by a mission to serve underserved communities by advancing the philosophy of economic inclusion as a human right. He is the founder/chair, Essence Ventures (parent company of ESSENCE); founder, Sundial Brands (SheaMoisture/Nubian Heritage); founder, New Voices Fund & New Voices Foundation; and founder/chair, Social Mission Board. Richelieu has been named to the “SuperSoul 100” list celebrating 100 trailblazers moving the world forward and as one of the Most Creative People in Business. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia also conferred upon Richelieu one of the nation’s highest honors – distinction of Knight Commander, admitting him into the Most Venerable Order of the Knighthood.

Jasmine Grant is an associate lifestyle editor with ESSENCE where she focuses specifically on the topics of love, dating, sex, and wellness. Her passion is storytelling and bringing Black women content that reflects their truth. As part of ESSENCE Magazine’s “Thrive” section, she oversees several popular franchises including “Bridal Bliss” and “Ask An OB-GYN” and loves to interview some of your favorite celebrities for advice about loving and living well.

As a Senior Editor for Essence, Marquita Harris works across print, digital and live events platforms to facilitate Money & Career content that keeps Black women in the know about all things career advancement, entrepreneurship, financial empowerment and more. She is also host and creator of the ESSENCE Unbossed podcast. Her work has appeared at Refinery29, Cultured, Ebony and i-D magazine among others.

Golden Globe winning and Academy Award and Emmy nominated Taraji P. Henson is best known for starring as “Cookie” in Fox’s acclaimed drama EMPIRE, and for films such as HUSTLE & FLOW, THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON and HIDDEN FIGURES.

In 2018 Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation, working to shed the stigma around mental health in African American communities. Henson also launched her haircare line, TPH by Taraji, sold exclusively at Target.

DaShaun Johnson, known as “The Guru of Abs” in the fitness industry. A native of Decatur, GA, Johnson’s passion is changing people’s lives through fitness and nutrition. The Nike Training Club (“NTC”) instructor focuses on his new all-natural dietary supplement line and tours the country offering innovative Body Sculpting programs that have helped transform the physiques of people all over the world.

MoAna Luu serves as Chief Content and Creative Officer of ESSENCE in New York. In this role, Luu directs the creation and dissemination of content across all ESSENCE platforms, including the magazine, website, social media, apps, experiential, video, and film/television. Luu also develops the creative vision for ESSENCE and directs its execution across all platforms in order to increase audience and revenue growth. Luu is also a noted Martinican public figure and media expert.

As First Lady of New York City, Chirlane McCray has redefined the role of First Lady, managing a robust portfolio to advance an ambitious agenda in support of all New Yorkers. Nationally recognized as a powerful champion for mental health reform and dubbed one of TIME Magazine’s 50 Most Influential People in Health Care, First Lady McCray created ThriveNYC, New York City’s mental health initiative that serves hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers every year.

A news junkie with a passion for culture, Allison McGevna has been working in media for more than a decade. Currently the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of ESSENCE, she has worked across multiple platforms as a content creator for both traditional and social media. A graduate of Northwestern, she’s a connoisseur of strong coffee, historical fiction and beautiful shoes. She documents her adventures as a mom, wife and journalist on her Instagram @alliemcgev.

Charli Penn is a nationally recognized, award-winning journalist who writes in the name and praise of love, good living and wellness. For over a decade, the ESSENCE Relationships and Wellness Director has devoted her career to empowering women to cherish and cultivate healthy & happy relationships and to live their best, fullest lives. Charli radiates a proven passion for amplifying and telling women’s stories to further the global conversation around all things Black girl magic.

Acclaimed trauma therapist and life coach, Dr. Anita Phillips is a leader known for her ground-breaking work at the intersection of mental health, faith, and culture. Her grassroots “Turn the Light On Movement” is a successful advocacy campaign designed to support mental health in Black faith communities. Dr. Anita is a field expert as seen on various TV shows and a sought-after speaker featured in events produced by Bishop T.D. Jakes, Taraji P. Henson, and AT&T.

Dr. Michele C. Reed is a Board Certified Family Medicine Physician, public speaker, and best-selling author. She serves as the owner/medical director of MS Family Medicine Health Care, P.C., a holistic practice. Dr. Michele's debut book “Mentally Fit, Physically Strong: The FitDoc’s Guide to Real Life, Real Fitness, Real Health” was released in May 2017 and became a bestseller on Amazon in June 2017.

Called "the perfect combination of style and substance" by ESSENCE magazine, Nancy Redd is a New York Times bestselling author and Webby Award-winning on-air host who has dedicated her career to body positivity and inclusive media representation. Her children’s book, BEDTIME BONNET, celebrates Black nighttime hair rituals like wave caps, scarves, and of course, the bonnet. Nancy is an NAACP Image Award nominee, a GLAAD Award nominee, and former Miss Virginia.

Dr. Chelsea Jackson-Roberts is a Lululemon global yoga ambassador who travels the world sharing yoga and meditation. She is also the founder of ‘'Yoga, Literature & Art Camp for Teen Girls” at Spelman College. She has shared her story of cultivating community through yoga while gracing the cover of “Yoga Journal Magazine” and “Experience Life.” She is also passionate about using yoga and meditation as a tool for moving beyond social barriers.

Mara Schiavocampo is a four-time Emmy Award winning journalist, podcast host, digital content creator, and best-selling author. Mara currently works as a Senior Investigative Correspondent for The Dr. Oz Show. Mara is also the host of The Trend Reporter podcast (iHeartMedia) and YouTube Channel (Jungo TV). Mara has worked as a Correspondent for Good Morning America and The Today Show, and appeared on The View, The Chew, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and more.

Born in Regensburg, Germany, self-taught Jay Shalé has started to make her mark in the DJ world. Looking to get radio play for her own music exposed her to DJing in 2016, she fell in love with the craft and hasn’t looked back! Viewing music as a form of therapy, her passion, energy, and LOVE for music has captured the hearts of thousands around the world!

Kierra Sheard is a GRAMMY and Stellar Award winning artist, actress, and entrepreneur. She recently released her sixth album, KIERRA, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Top Gospel Albums chart and co-starred in the top rated and critically acclaimed biopic, The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel, on Lifetime. In addition to music and acting, Kierra is the founder of Eleven60, a clothing line focused on curvy women that is available at Macys.com.

Michelle Singletary is a nationally syndicated personal finance columnist for The Washington Post. Her column, "The Color of Money" is an award-winning column carried in newspapers across the country. A financial expert for “The Revolution,” a former daytime program on ABC and former host of her own national TV One show “Singletary Says,” Singletary is the author of three books and a frequent contributor to various NPR radio programs, national cable, and television network show.

Dr. Cora Spaulding is a physician board certified in both Integrative Medicine and Family Medicine, with advanced training in health coaching and acupuncture . With over 30 years of clinical experience, Dr. Spaulding appreciates that health is about more than the body—addressing the mind and spirit are equally important. As an IM consultant, she marries conventional and complementary medicine to help patients with chronic medical conditions improve or even reverse disease and optimize their health.

Get ready America! Spirit is changing the way we think about love, life, relationships, and everything in between. For more than 15 years, this licensed psychotherapist, media personality, wife, and devoted mother of seven has delivered the answers to some of life’s most challenging questions. Her down to earth approach promotes empathy and understanding while eliminating the stigma commonly associated with life’s most challenging issues.

Dr. Stanford practices and teaches at Massachusetts General Hospital/ Harvard Medical School as one of the first fellowship-trained obesity medicine physicians in the world. The current Vice Chair of Minority Affairs for the American Medical Association received her BS and MPH from Emory University, her MD from the Medical College of Georgia School of Medicine, and her MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Stanford completed her Obesity Medicine & Nutrition Fellowship at MGH/HMS.

Tye Tribbett creates a dynamic new caliber of music. His music cannot be classified as one genre, but his unique, abstract way encompasses all. Often heralded as the "Elvis of Gospel” and one of the most relevant voices of this generation, multiple GRAMMY® Award and Soul Train Music Award-winning Motown Gospel recording artist Tye Tribbett returned with his third consecutive Billboard #1 gospel album, The Bloody Win in 2017.

Tony Waller is Senior Director, Constituent Relations for Walmart in Bentonville, AR. In his position he sets strategy for driving reputation, augmenting outreach opportunities and maximizing social investments in diverse and multicultural communities. His portfolio includes the African American, Hispanic, Asian American & Pacific Islander and Native American communities as well as Women, People with Disabilities and Millennials. Tony joined Walmart December 2006.

Michael A. Walrond Jr. is the Senior Pastor of First Corinthian Baptist Church (“FCBC”) in Harlem, New York. Walrond—affectionately known as Pastor Mike—is quickly rising as one of the most prolific and sought-after teachers and preachers in the country. Considered a visionary, cultural architect, and game-changer by his peers, Pastor Mike has not only catalytically changed the traditional perspective of the black church, but he is also shifting the paradigm of Christian understanding and culture.

Lori is a trusted advisor to leading nonprofits with over 20 years of corporate experience and a proven track record of success launching new products, creating and driving marketing and business development strategies for major global brands. Known for creative leadership driving productivity and fostering success, Lori has a B.A. Economics from Washington University in St. Louis and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.