Unfinished 2019 - Speakers

Dr. Ashleigh Murriel is an epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). She has served the agency in the Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention and currently serves in the Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. She established herself as a nationally-recognized expert in child obesity and health equity through her research and evaluation efforts focused on policy, systems and environmental approaches to prevent obesity. Ashleigh is a highly published author in scientific journals and has received numerous recognitions including multiple Achievement Medals for exemplary contributions to the study of obesity prevention. As a commissioned officer in the U.S. Public Health Service, Ashleigh has achieved the rank of Lieutenant Commander using her expertise in epidemiology to serve the nation during deployments for public health crises including Ebola and H1N1. Ashleigh was selected to workon key initiatives supporting the Surgeon General’s agenda for a healthier U.S. including the National Prevention Strategy and the Science and Communications Accountability Workgroups. She is an alumna of Spelman College and earned her master’s and doctoral degrees from The Pennsylvania State University. Ashleigh is an active member of the broader Atlanta community. She is a graduate of the United Way Volunteer Involvement Program and LEAD Atlanta. She has served as a member of the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s African-American Partnership Advisory Board and the Ivy Prep Foundation Board of Directors. She currently serves on the United Way of Greater Atlanta’s Gwinnett County Advisory Board and the Grady Hospital Ambassador Force.
Ashleigh is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated (Atlanta Suburban Chapter) and the Links, Incorporated (Camellia Rose Chapter). She attends Cascade United Methodist Church, where her husband, the Reverend Doctor Kevin Murriel, serves as senior pastor. Together, they are the doting parents of a three-year old daughter, Scarlett Grace.

The Honorable Judge Kimberly Esmond Adams is serving her third term on the Superior Court of Fulton County. She began her public service career as a prosecutor after practicing as an employment attorney with a national labor and employment boutique.
A past president of the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys (GABWA), Judge Adams is a well-respected bar leader and community servant and has served in a number of leadership capacities, both professionally and in her community. A 30-year member and international leader of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she also has been an active member and officer of Cascade United Methodist Church in Southwest Atlanta for nearly four decades. Additionally, Judge Adams is a member and officer of the Camellia Rose Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She also serves on numerous diverse boards.0.
Recognized both for her commitment to her profession and the community, Judge Adams has been the recipient of numerous honors and awards, most notably, Howard University Charter Day Award in the Field of Law (2013); Who's Who in Law and Business by the Atlanta Business Chronicle (2006); Superwoman by Atlanta Tribune Magazine (2011); Woman of the Year "Ordinary Woman With Extraordinary Talents" (2008), and one of Georgia’s Most Influential Judges (2013). Judge Adams also is a recipient of the Pinnacle Leadership Award from the East Point/College Park Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (2012) and the Torch Award from the Atlanta Alumnae Chapter (2017). She was named to the Atlanta Business League’s 2012, 2013 and 2018 Lists of Atlanta’s Top 100 Women of Influence and received the Spirit of GABWA Award – the Georgia Association of Black Women Attorneys’ highest award – in 2012. She was an honored recipient of the prestigious Justice Robert Benham Award for Community Service in 2013 and the coveted Community Service Award from the Atlanta Bar Association in 2015. Most recently, Judge Adams was named an Unsung Heroine and received the Pioneer Award from the Metropolitan Atlanta Chapter of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (2017) and was named a Woman of Excellence in the field of Community Engagement by the MECCA Chapter (2018). Judge Adams also has been recognized by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, legal and community groups and the faith community for her commitment, dedication and service.
A sought-after leader in the City of Atlanta and the State of Georgia, Judge Adams is a Leadership Atlanta trustee and Leadership Georgia alumna. In 2012, she was invited to theWhite House to participate in a parental incarceration workshop. Judge Adams earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Howard University in Washington, D.C. and her Juris Doctor Degree from the Notre Dame Law School. She resides in Atlanta with her husband, Michael, and they are the proud parents of an adult son.

Vicki R. Palmer is President of The Palmer Group LLC, a general management consulting company which she started shortly after her retirement from Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. in 2009. Ms. Palmer’s career in the Coca-Cola system spanned more than 25 years. At the time of her retirement, she was Executive Vice President for Finance and Administration. She was responsible for overseeing the Treasury Department, which managed the company’s $10B multi-currency debt portfolio and its $4B pension plan and 401(k) plan investments, internal audit and enterprise risk management. Ms. Palmer also served as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team. She currently serves as Advisor/Director to EDP Enterprises, a food service management company.
Ms. Palmer received her B.A. degree in economics and business administration from Rhodes College and her MBA in finance from the University of Memphis. She was a member of the Board of Trustees at Rhodes College for more than 25 years, is currently a member of the Emeriti Council and was named 2015 Distinguished Alumnus. In 2006, she received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Cambridge College.
Ms. Palmer has been a member of the Board of Directors of First Horizon National Corporation since 1993, chaired the Audit Committee for 17 years, currently chairs the Compensation Committee and is a member of the Executive & Risk Committee. Ms. Palmer is also a member of the Board of Directors of Haverty’s Furniture Company where she serves on the Audit and Corporate Governance Committees.
After serving as a member of the Spelman College Board of Trustees for almost 20 years, Ms. Palmer was named one of 10 Lifetime Trustees. She also serves on the boards of Woodward Academy and the Joseph & Evelyn Lowery Institute and, most recently, was elected to the national board of the Black Economic Alliance. Ms. Palmer also served as co-chair of the Transition Committee for Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. Most importantly, she is a dedicated member of Cascade United Methodist Church where she is co-chair of the Executive Board and a member of the New Advent Choir.
Ms. Palmer is the wife of John Palmer, President of EDP Enterprises and is the proud mother of Alex Roman who is Director of Property Initiatives and Guest Experience with MGM Resorts International in National Harbor, Maryland.

As chief operating officer and group president for Starbucks, Rosalind “Roz” Brewer leads the company’s operating businesses across the Americas (Canada, U.S. and Latin America), and Starbucks license stores as well as the global functions of marketing, technology, supply chain, product innovation, and store development organizations. Roz was appointed to the Starbucks board of directors in March 2017 and continues to serve on the board.
Prior to joining Starbucks, Roz served as president and chief executive officer of Sam’s Club, the eighth largest U.S. retailer with sales of $57 billion for fiscal year 2016. Roz joined Sam’s Club, the members-only warehouse channel of Walmart Inc. in 2012 and made history by becoming the first woman and first African American to lead a Walmart division. In 2018, Fortune ranked her #33 on its list of the 50 Most Powerful Women in Business. During her time at the helm, she led the growth of Sam’s Club by focusing on three core areas: growing membership; transforming merchandise; and amplifying the use of digital technology to enable a seamless shopping experience at scale which led to sequentially improved comp sales.
She joined Walmart in 2006 as regional vice president and later became president of Walmart East, where her P&L responsibility exceeded $100 billion. Prior to Walmart, she was with Kimberly-Clark Corp. for 22 years, starting as a scientist and ultimately serving as president of the Global Nonwovens Sector in 2004.
Roz earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Spelman College and attended Wharton’s Advanced Management Program and Stanford University’s Directors’ College.
She is a current director of Amazon and a former director of Lockheed Martin and Molson Coors Brewing Company. She also chairs the board of trustees at Spelman College.

Pat Russell-McCloud is a “visual speaking experience.” With more than 20 years on the lecture circuit, she is categorized as being one of the nation’s best. Her speaking style is engaging, highly substantive, well-researched, pertinent to her audiences, and entertaining, whether for the public or private sector. She is distinguished and distinct. Her style is classified as "big, broad and animated", which leaves her audiences anxious for more.
Each year she speaks to more than 100,000 people in private and public organizations in the United States and internationally. She encourages her listeners to surmount every obstacle that stands between them and the possible. Her client list includes, but is not limited to, AARP, National Association of Women’s Business Owners, AT&T, Women’s Food Service Forum, eWomen’s Network, Wal-Mart/Sam’s Club, General Motors, American Honda, Cox Enterprises, McDonald’s, Northrop Grumman, General Electric, McGraw Hill Publishing, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Xerox, Procter & Gamble, and the United States Postal Service. Each company has benefited from having Russell-McCloud share her informed, inspirational wisdom and wit.
As a member of the Council on Legal Education Opportunity (CLEO), she studied at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. Russell-McCloud earned her Juris Doctorate degree at Howard University, School of Law. Prior to embarking upon her speaking career, Russell-McCloud was an attorney with the Federal Communications Commission, Chief, Complaints Branch, Broadcast Bureau, Washington, DC for ten years. Then she decided to follow her true passion which was to be a business entrepreneur and global professional orator. Born in Indianapolis, IN, and graduating from Kentucky State University she knew that her true career connection was to prepare meaningful presentations for diverse audiences and to meet them at their point of need.

A true woman of God, the Reverend Conitras M. Houston strives for excellence in ministry through the Word of God, the Work of God, and the Will of God. She sincerely loves God and God’s people; therefore, she professes boldly the words of 1 Corinthians 2:9 “. . . no eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him”!
Pastor “C,” as she is affectionately called, is the daughter of Bonita Houston and Harold Houston, Jr. .and is the proud beloved sister of Harold Houston III and Brian Collier. Pastor “C” is grateful for the opportunities that she has been given to serve the Lord’s people. After humbly serving as the Youth Pastor and Assistant Pastor of St. John A.M.E. Church in Fairburn, GA for five years, Pastor “C” served as the Pastor of St. Luke A.M.E. Church in Athens, GA until April 2011. In May of 2012, she was appointed as the Senior Pastor of the Greater Ward Chapel A.M.E. Church in Columbus, GA.
Under her leadership, Greater Ward Chapel grew tremendously in membership, as well as ministry. The sanctuary and other areas of the facility were renovated debt-free, a community development center serving school-aged children was initiated, the surrounding community was served, and much more. In October 2016, after faithfully serving over four years in Columbus, GA, Pastor “C” was appointed as the first woman and 38th pastor of Trinity A.M.E. Church in Atlanta, GA where she now serves a Quality-Rated Early Learning Center and a vibrant, growing congregation. Already, the congregation is increasing in membership and ministry with Pastor “C” as an enthusiastic and spiritually- grounded leader.

The Rev. Dr. Teresa L. Fry Brown is the Bandy Professor of Preaching, a chaired professorship created in 1986 with a gift from B. Jackson Bandy that is considered by many to be the country’s premier chair in homiletics. Fry Brown has taught at Candler since 1994, and, in 2010, she became the first African-American woman to attain the rank of full professor. She also served as the Director of Candler’s.
Fry Brown’s research interests include homiletics, womanism, womanist ethics, socio-cultural transformation, and African diaspora history focusing on African American spiritual values.
In addition to five monographs and four books, she has written articles and chapters for over a dozen more, including Delivering the Sermon: Voice, Body and Animation in Proclamation (Fortress Press, 2008); Can A Sister Get a Little Help: Advice and Encouragement for Black Women in Ministry (Pilgrim Press, 2008); and Weary Throats and New Song: Black Women Proclaiming God’s Word (Abingdon Press, 2003).

In addition to her role as Assistant Dean of Worship and Music and Assistant Professor in the Practice of Worship, The Rev. Dr. Khalia J. Williams is Co-Director of the Baptist Studies Program. Prior to joining the faculty at Candler, Williams earned her M.A. in Theological Studies from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, and her Ph.D. in Liturgical Studies with a focus on theology and worship from Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, California. She is an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and American Baptist Churches USA.
A native of Los Angeles, Williams has lectured widely and serves as vice chair of the board of trustees for the Higher Education and Leadership Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and recently served on the Disciples Seminary Foundation board as well. She has served as the chapel coordinator at Columbia Theological Seminary and on the Worship Planning and Chapel Leadership Team at the American Baptist Seminary of the West in Berkeley, California. She currently serves as an Associate Minister at Providence Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta. Williams is a member of the North American Liturgy and the American Academy of Religion.

Kathleen Bertrand says that she is "rewired," not "retired." The creative chanteuse continues to produce, write, and entertain for audiences through her passion and gift for music. Currently, she also serves as founder and executive producer of BronzeLens Film Festival, a non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion, education and empowerment of filmmakers of color from around the world.

Linda Goler Blount joined the Black Women’s Health Imperative as the President and Chief Executive Officer in February 2014. As President and CEO, Linda oversees the strategic direction for the Imperative and is responsible for moving the organization forward in its mission to achieve health equity, reproductive and social justice for Black women across the lifespan. Linda is a sought-after speaker and is a member of several organizations, including the American Association of Cancer Research, American Public Health Association and National Association of Health Services Executives. She serves on the Emory University Center for Ethics Advisory Board and Morehouse School of Medicine, Public Health Program Advisory Committee among other board service work. A Michigan native, Linda holds a Master of Public Health, Epidemiology from the University of Michigan and Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering & Operations Research from Eastern Michigan University.

Minister Natasha Brown’s personal mission is to create, communicate, and promote divinely inspired messages. She accepted her call into ministry in June 2006 and serves at the historic Central United Methodist Church in Atlanta, and on the Board of Trustees of the North Georgia United Methodist Conference with oversight of over 800 local churches in North Georgia. At Central, Minister Natasha hasserved as the Youth Minister, and currently serves weekly in Sunday worship services. She is also called upon to preach God’s Word as a member of the ministerial team, has taught Sunday school, Vacation Bible School, and served on several ministry committees.
She is the founder of Designed for Destiny, Inc. (D4D), a ministry birthed to inspire, encourage, and equip women to fulfill their God-given destinies (Jeremiah 1:5). She leads the weekly Designed for Destiny Prayer Call every Wednesday morning at 5:30 AM and, through divinely inspired devotionals, Minister Natasha preaches a message of hope and encouragement to women.

Briana Cauthen has been a member of Cascade UMC for 23 years along with her family. She is a recent graduate of the Illustrious Tennessee State University with a degree in Journalism. Upon graduating in December, she began a career for the ABC affiliate in Tallahassee, Florida as a News Director and Producer.

Sheila Flemming-Hunter is Founder and President of the Black Rose Foundation for Children. She is also serving as Associate Editor of Phylon: The Clark Atlanta University Review of Race and Culture and Adjunct Professor in the Department of African American, Africana Women Studies and History at Clark Atlanta University. Sheila has served in the professoriate at several universities including Bethune-Cookman University, University of Texas and University of Maryland. She has spent most of her career in the academy as historian, dean and vice president. Sheila is author of Bethune-Cookman College 1904-1994: The Answered Prayer to a Dream and she has contributed articles on African and African-American women, Nelson Mandela, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Black Women’s Health in published works and reviewed textbooks for the UNA/USA. She recently co-authored and published a children’s book with her daughters (Attorney Alero Afejuku and Dr. Ayo Gathing) entitled, “J is for Justice.”

Tiffini Gatlin is the CEO and Founder of Latched and Hooked, a disruptive beauty company that is changing the way women think, buy and wear synthetic hair extensions and beauty products in a $500 trillion industry.

Sandra Harris-Hooker, Ph.D., is Vice President and Executive Vice Dean for Research and Academic Administration and Professor in the Department of Pathology at Morehouse School of Medicine. With professional training in cell biology and post-graduate training in cardiovascular pathology; she and her colleague's study of blood vessel cells' response to injury in a microgravity environment was one of the projects flown on NASA’s historic Discovery (STS-95) space shuttle flight. While her primary research interest is in the study of coronary heart disease, she is also interested in ways by which to integrate basic, clinical and population-based research in order to reduce and eventually eliminate disparities in health.

Minister Camille Henderson-Edwards, a native of Newark, Delaware, is a 2015 graduate of Spelman College. As a political science major and religious studies minor, her undergraduate research consisted of examining the role of religion in the mitigation of child sex trafficking within the Metro-Atlanta area. Camille obtained her Masters of Divinity as one of five Robert W. Woodruff Fellows at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. While creating sacred space in which all are equipped to carry out the work of Christ, it is Camille’s desire to lead the faith community in providing appropriate responses to the injustices of violence against women and children.

Avril James holds degrees in exercise science, public health and is an ordained interfaith/inter-spiritual minister. She is trained in Traditional Yoga Meditation and several other Yoga practices. She has been an influential teacher in the Metro Atlanta area for over 23 years leading Adaptive Yoga and employee stress management classes, meditation sittings, and individual mindfulness interventions with Foundation Psychiatry, Unity North Atlanta, Piedmont Healthcare and various spiritual centers throughout Metro Atlanta. Recently, she was hired as Piedmont Healthcare Women's Heart Program Coordinator for the Southside. She is a busy mother, avid meditator, hiker, and interfaith advocate.

Noelle Jones is a gifted writer, brand innovator and PR practitioner who has worked in many industry sectors over the past 5 years. A lifelong lover of arts, culture, and entertainment Noelle is currently the Public Relations Manager at You Are Here Agency, an Atlanta-based integrated marketing agency where she works with clients Coca-Cola, Cricket Wireless, Aaron's, Southern Company and more. In 2018, she was named one of Atlanta’s “Top Young Professionals” in the Atlanta Tribune and a “Mover and Shaker” in South Fulton Lifestyle Magazine. Noelle is a graduate of Howard University and is currently in the School of Continuing Studies at Georgetown University earning her Masters degree. Noelle is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated and The Public Relations Society of America.

Lauren Lovett is a native Atlantan and member of Cascade United Methodist Church where she serves on the Finance Committee, Praise Team, and as Finance Chair of the Unfinished 2019 Women’s Conference. Lauren has 10 years of experience working in the Corporate and Investment Banking sector of the financial services industry. Lauren holds a Masters in Business Administration from Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Auburn University, where she is an Emeritus Advisory Board Member. Lauren is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

An industry favorite, nationally syndicated Radio Host Darlene McCoy is host of The Nightly Spirit with the nation’s number one urban media specialists Urban One Media, on the roster with national brands of the likes of Rickey Smiley, Erica Campbell, and D.L Hughley to name a few. Upon arriving to the radio scene she quickly rose as a well respected voice on the inspirational platform contributing to her base stations 4 Stellar Award wins.

Dr. Terri McFadden-Garden is a General Pediatrician and a Professor in the Department of Pediatrics of the Emory University School of Medicine. She serves as Medical Director for Primary Care at the Hughes Spalding campus of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta where she sees patients and teaches residents and students. She leads primary care efforts within the Emory Department of Pediatrics PARTNERS for Equity in Child and Adolescent Health program. She is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Council on Early Childhood and as President of the Georgia Chapter. McFadden-Garden is the Medical Director of Reach Out and Read Georgia and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids. She serves on the boards of several child-serving organizations including Project Healthy Grandparents, Georgia Brain Trust and the Georgia Board of Physician Workforce. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree from Spelman College and a Medical Degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. She is married to her God-sent mate, Everett Garden, and they are the proud parents of two daughters. One daughter is newly adulting in California and the other is a junior in college in Connecticut.

Kimberly Evans Paige recently joined Viacom’s New York-based BET Networks as the Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer in a bold industry shift for the seasoned and well-respected marketing executive. Reporting directly to the company president, Paige oversees creative, media planning and consumer insights and analytics. She assumed this role after having accumulated brand marketing experience at Proctor & Gamble, Coca-Cola, Coty and, most recently, skincare and haircare manufacturer, Sundial Brands. As chief operating and brand-building officer at Sundial, known for making SheaMoisture and other products, Paige managed the overall strategic direction of the company.
In her new position at BET, one of the flagship networks under the Viacom tent, Paige plays a pivotal role in driving the growth of BET’s businesses and the iconic BET brand by managing and implementing brand strategy for BET and BET Her linear networks as well as streaming service BET+, BET Digital, BET Social, BET Experience and the networks’ live events.
With an unapologetic commitment to the delivery of quality service to the African-American community, Paige will continue her quest to do meaningful work, and she will elevate BET to the next level. The Atlanta native is a proud Howard University alumna and received her Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Clark Atlanta University. She has two beautiful children, including a daughter enrolled at Howard University and a son who is a high school junior.

Anana Harris Parris is a Chief Operating Officer Advisor for How to Manage. As a COO Advisor Ms. Parris is responsible for guiding business owners through business development and business systems refinement to help them grow their business successfully.
From December 2011 to May 2019, Ms. Parris was the Director of Business Operations and Community Affairs for the Davis Bozeman Law Firm. While serving at the Davis Bozeman Law Firm, Ms. Parris was also the founder of non-profit initiatives like the AfriSalsa Cultural Organization, the SisterCARE Alliance and the Self Care Day Campaign. As the Director of Operations and Community Affairs, Ms. Parris was responsible for developing and growing all business operations, brand marketing, human resource department, the legal internship program and public relations. Ms. Parris also managed the Community Affairs Division of the firm which includes the following collaborative community projects: “Respect Black Life: I am Trayvon Martin March” of over 5000 marchers from Atlanta University Center to the CNN Center, Self Care and the New Beginnings Re-entry Mentoring Program in partnership with the Urban League, Morehouse School of Medicine and the U.S. Attorney’s Office of Northern District of Georgia.

Jackie Parker is the President and Founder of JWP Consulting LLC., and Step Forward Ministries, a consulting, speaking and coaching firm. After decades of thriving as a senior corporate executive, Jackie felt she could have a more significant impact reaching millions by helping companies develop sound corporate social responsibility strategies and programs to achieve stronger results.
As part of her overall mission to share her knowledge and expertise, in April 2018, Jackie launched Step Forward Ministries, a workplace ministry designed to help leaders live a life of purpose and prophetic destiny.
A consultant, speaker and coach, Parker helps individuals give birth to their soul's vision and corporations to establish social purpose. She listens intently and with laser sharp, almost surgical precision, delivers spiritual guidance that leads you to know and act upon your highest self. Jackie’s goal is to help business leaders unlock their full potential by seeing into their souls. She is a wife, a mother, a woman on a mission.

Doris Quirós is a bivocational, ordained minister of the Assemblies of God. She is the Associate Pastor of Lilburn Assembly of God, a bilingual church, and a Presbyter of the East Region of the Southern Latin District of the Assembly of God. She also serves as a Vice President in the Supervision, Regulation and Credit Division of the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Davis is responsible for the Credit and Risk Department and Quality Assurance. She also oversees the People, Process and Technology group which includes talent management, staff and fiscal management, records management, information technology, facilities, business continuity, MIS, and communications. She has held a variety of roles over her 26-year career at the Federal Reserve.

Sabrina Randolph is an Atlanta, Georgia native and is the proud daughter of Richard and Shirley Randolph and sibling of Richard Randolph III and twin sister, Sonya Randolph. She is a graduate of The University of Alabama and has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a degree in Business Marketing. Sabrina is a lifelong member of Cascade United Methodist Church where she serves as Leader of the Praise Dance Ministry and sings in The New Advent Choir. Sabrina is a passionate dancer and has been engaged in the art of dance since her mother introduced it to her at the young age of two. She plans to own her own dance studio one day. Sabrina also is a lover of technology and has been a tech enthusiast since her father introduced her to her first piece of technology when she was just a little girl. She currently works as a Computer and Digital Imaging Sales Consultant for Best Buy and is building a career in marketing consumer electronics. Sabrina's goal in life is to live by her favorite Bible verses which are II Timothy 1:7 "God did not give us a spirit of timidity but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline" and II Timothy 1:6 "Fan into flame the gift of God which is in you."

Sonya Randolph is a native of Atlanta, Georgia. She has been a dedicated member of Cascade her entire life along with her father, mother, and twin sister. She is a member of the Praise Dance ministry, New Advent Choir, Homeless Ministry, and serves as Vice-chair of the Worship Division and Co-chair of the young adult division. Sonya earned her undergraduate degree from The University of Alabama in biology and received her Master of Biology in Medical Sciences from Georgia State University. Sonya has been working in healthcare for the past 11 years starting as a CNA at age 16. She has worked at DeKalb Medical Hospital, and she has been working as an Emergency Medical Technician for Grady Memorial Hospital in hopes to soon be accepted into medical school to become a Pediatrician. In her spare time, she is also a dance coach for Chapel Hill Middle School and works to mentor other youth throughout the Metro Atlanta area.

Rev. Natosha Reid Rice is a mother, a wife, an ordained minister, noted keynote speaker and attorney. She currently serves as the Associate General Counsel for Real Estate and Finance at Habitat for Humanity International where she initiates and manages financing programs and strategies to generate sources of capital that enable Habitat affiliates to provide decent, affordable housing to families throughout the country. In addition to her work at Habitat, Rev. Rice also serves as an Associate Pastor for Women’s Ministries at the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church and founder of Fresh Rain for Life Ministries, a non-denominational ministry that provides a “sanctuary for women in the midst of life” through worship services, retreats, bible studies, workshops, and mission outreach.Rev. Rice is passionate about providing a voice to the voiceless and opportunities to communities that have been historically disadvantaged.

Cathy Rollins is currently the Director of the Information Technology Project Management Office at Atlanta Public Schools. Cathy also has a passion for music as a singer/songwriter. She serves as the Praise and Worship leader at Cascade UMC and also is a guest psalmist for church services and conferences. Cathy has been a member of Cascade and the New Advent Choi more than 25 years.

Nandi Rollins, a native of Atlanta, is a graduate of Tuskegee University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration where she was a member of the Track and Field team as a heptathlete. She is currently employed by the Atlanta Braves as a Ticket Sales Associate and one day plans to be a commissioner of a major sports conference. She is currently enrolled at Troy University pursuing a Masters degree in Sports Administration. Nandi is the founder of “Know Your Worth," an organization committed to uplifting young girls to help them overcome self-esteem issues and achieve the greatness God has for them. A life-long member of Cascade United Methodist Church, Nandi currently service as the Vice-Chair of the Young People's Division. She is the proud daughter of Cathy and Darris Rollins and will soon be the wife of the luckiest man in the world, Mr. Darion Hall.

Dr. Valerie Sanders is an ordained itinerate elder in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a graduate of Florida A&M University and Howard University School of Divinity. She served the congregation of Turner Chapel AME Church for 10 years as the Congregational Care Pastor. During that time, she pursued her Doctor of Ministry degree in Pastoral Care and Counseling from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia and became a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Dr. Sanders worked to establish the Care and Counseling Center of Turner Chapel, which continues to provide counseling services tomembers of the congregation as well as members of the greater Marietta community. Dr. Sanders currently serves as a Clinical Chaplain with the Atlanta VA Healthcare System. In her role, she provides spiritual care to veterans who are living with PTSD and struggle with Moral Injury.

Dr. Pamela Thompson is the owner of Building Bridges to Better Lives (since 2004) where she serves as a Psychologist, Professional Life Coach, and Speaker. She has provided mental health services for individuals, couples, women groups, and inmates since 1996. She delights in seeking ways to expand her services to meet a diversity of needs. Dr. Thompson is most proud to participate in the network of providers associated with the nationally syndicated radio show "New Life Live" which has guided her ability to integrate her clinical skills and knowledge with a biblical worldview for those who desire such. Her greatest passions include serving as a vessel for healing the wounded and brokenhearted as well as an illuminator of others and hidden gifts and talents.

Jini Thornton, is founder and CEO of Envision Business Management Group. For 22 years Envision has provided accounting and other financial-related services to the entertainment industry. In her 22-year career, Jini has managed the finances of industry veterans like Ludacris to new talent like Khalid.
Jini is currently the co-host of the Money Monday segment on the nationally syndicated Willie Moore, Jr. show and is a financial correspondent for the nationally-syndicated Rickey Smiley and 11 Alive Morning Rush shows. She also co-founded Never Broke Nation, a movement that teaches and inspires people to make, save and grow their money. Jini has a B.S. in accounting from North Carolina A&T State University and a M.S in Taxation from the University of Illinois.

Nakell Williams is an award-winning journalist who joined WGXA in January 2018 as a lead anchor. Nakell covers health and politics for the station. She joined the team after working for WRIC-TV 8 in Richmond, VA as a multi-media journalist covering the Tri-Cities region including Petersburg, Colonial Heights and Hopewell. While at WRIC, Nakell provided hard-hitting coverage of one of the biggest financial crises in the history of Petersburg, Virginia. Her stories exposed unprecedented government mismanagement, theft and budgeting discrepancies in excess of $18M within the City of Petersburg. As a member of the WRIC team, Nakell also covered John Hinckley, Jr.’s release from prison in 2016. Hinckley was released from prison after serving more than 30 years for shooting President Ronald Reagan, a Secret Service agent, D.C. police officer and James Brady, President Reagan’s press secretary. During her tenure with WRIC, Nakell interviewed newsmakers including former vice-presidential candidate Tim Kaine and Gold Star Father Khizr Khan.

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