Dear Attendees, Supporters, and Friends,
Welcome to the 2025 Policy for the People Health Equity Summit.
At the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, we believe that health equity is not just a matter of access—it’s a matter of justice. Far too often, Black communities face disproportionate barriers when it comes to managing and treating chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. These inequities are compounded by systemic challenges in our healthcare system— challenges we must meet head-on with bold policy solutions, sustained partnerships, and unwavering commitment.
This year’s Summit focuses on one of the most urgent issues of our time: ensuring access and affordability in chronic disease treatment for Black Americans. Throughout the day, you will hear from a diverse slate of thought leaders, community advocates, researchers, policymakers, and Members of the Congressional Black Caucus. Together, we will explore policy prescriptions, private sector innovations, and community-driven strategies to close the gap in care and advance a future where health equity is a reality—not just a goal.
We are proud to convene this vital conversation through the leadership of our Center for Policy Analysis and Research (CPAR), which continues to produce transformative research and advocacy that drives systemic change. I invite you to engage deeply, listen intently, and leave inspired to help move the needle forward.
Thank you for being part of this important work. Together, we can shape a future where all communities—regardless of zip code or background—have the opportunity to thrive in health and in life.
With gratitude,
Nicole Austin-Hillery President and CEO Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Event Overview
The 2025 Policy for the People Health Equity Summit provides an opportunity to uplift engagement and discussion around the key priorities of the Center for Policy Analysis and Research. This year, the focus for the Summit is access and affordability in chronic disease treatment and management for Black communities, such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. During this in-person summit, attendees will hear from policy experts, industry leaders, community activists, Members of the Congressional Black Caucus, and others.
Welcome Remarks:
Nicole Austin-Hillery
President & CEO
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Rep. Terri A. Sewell
U.S. House of Representatives
OPENING SESSION
Dr. Jonathan Cox
Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis and Research
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Opening Roundtable: The State of Black Health: Equity, Policy, and Executive Action
10:25 AM–10:50 AM
OVERVIEW
During this opening roundtable, CBCF
President and CEO Nicole Austin-Hillery will sit down with Dedrick Asante-Muhammad, President of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, as well as Members of the CBC, to discuss the current state of health policy and issues of health equity for Black Americans. The conversation will center on policy recommendations put forth in the recent policy agenda, Forward Together: The Black Policy Playbook for an Equitable America, coproduced by the CBCF and the Joint Center, as well as health-related executive orders and their impacts as outlined in the CBCF’s Executive Order Tracker.
Moderator:
Nicole Austin-Hillery
President & CEO
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Panelists:
Dedrick Asante-Muhammad
President
The Joint Center for Political Economic Studies
Rep. Robin Kelly
U.S. House of Representatives
EXPERT PANEL DISCUSSION
Prescribing Policy: Advancing Equitable Access to Chronic Disease Treatment
11:00 AM–11:50 AM
OVERVIEW
For many Americans living with chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease, access to treatment is often determined by a combination of insurance coverage, drug pricing policies, and broader systemic barriers. This discussion will examine how disparities in insurance reimbursement policies, high prescription drug costs, and various social factors create barriers to chronic disease care and management. It will also explore private sector approaches to addressing such challenges, as well as policy solutions aimed at various policy “prescriptions,” including capping drug prices, expanding insurance coverage, and leveraging publicprivate partnerships to improve access to medication and treatment. With a holistic view of the healthcare ecosystem, this session will provide a roadmap for advancing solutions that prioritize affordability and accessibility in chronic disease treatment.
Moderator:
Mariah Barber, MPH
Founder Invisible Strengths
Panelists:
Dr. Ayanna Bennett Director
DC Department of Health
Ellesse-Roselee Akré, PhD
Assistant Professor Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Dr. Jean Accius
President and CEO
Creating Healthier Communities
Vivian Herrera
Vice President, Scientific Evidence and Policy Research
Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine
LUNCH AND HEALTH FAIR
11:50 PM–1:10 PM EST
KEYNOTE
LEGACY: Mobilizing for Health Equity
01:20 PM–01:40 PM
OVERVIEW
This TED Talk-style keynote session will feature a key voice in health equity and will address access and affordability in chronic disease treatment for Black communities.
Dr. Uché Blackstock
Founder and Chief Advisor
Advancing Health Equity
Concurrent Breakout Sessions
2:00 PM–2:45 PM EST
BREAKOUT 1 ATTIC ROOM, 2ND FLOOR
Healthy Hearts: Advancing Awareness, Access, and Empowering Patients to Advocate for Themselves
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. The AHA notes that Black Americans suffer some of the worst cardiovascular health outcomes. There are biological components that increase the prevalence of health risk factors leading to CVD. For example, it is estimated that up to 1 in 25 Black Americans carry a genetic mutation that increases the risk of developing transthyretin amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy (ATTR-CM) – a form of hereditary heart failure which significantly impacts the Black community. Recently published analyses
Moderator:
JeShaune Jackson
Director, Strategic Alliances and Patient Advocacy
BridgeBio Pharma
SPONSOR:
demonstrated that carriers die approximately 2 to 2.5 years earlier than noncarriers, resulting in approximately one million years loss annually. Critical efforts are needed to drive earlier patient diagnosis and access to treatment by facilitating awareness of the disease’s signs and symptoms, genetic testing, and overcoming perceptions with a lack of trust in the health care industry. During this panel, participants will discuss how stakeholders across the health care space can improve cardiovascular health, drive earlier diagnosis, be empowered to advocate for themselves to improve outcomes for the community.
Panelists:
Erin Poyant
Senior Manager of Education and Awareness
Amyloidosis Research Consortium
Dr. Barbara Hutchinsom
President
Chesapeake Cardiac Care
Akeia Blue
President, Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality & Equity
National Minority Quality Forum
BREAKOUT 2 DREAM FACTORY ROOM, 2ND FLOOR
Examining the 340B Program:
Barriers to Health Care Access and Affordability for Black Communities
The 340B program was designed to help safety-net providers stretch limited resources and improve access to care in underserved communities. Yet, growing concerns point to gaps between the program’s intent and its impact— especially for Black communities, where access to affordable, quality care remains uneven. This panel will examine how current 340B structures
SPONSOR:
BREAKOUT 3 MAIN AUDITORIUM, 1ST FLOOR
Unequal Weight: Metabolic Disorders and Chronic Disease Disparities in Black America
Metabolic disorders are prevalent and have significant health consequences. According to the CDC, nearly 40% of US adults are living with obesity, and the prevalence is even higher in Black communities - 49.6% of non-Hispanic Black adults suffer from obesity compared to 39.8% of non-Hispanic White adults. This disparity contributes to the increased burden of chronic conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes,
can unintentionally limit access to essential medicines, deepen health inequities, and overlook the communities it was meant to serve. Hear from leading voices in policy, advocacy, and community health for a discussion on how to realign 340B with its original mission and ensure lifesaving treatments reach those who need them most.
SPONSOR:
and cardiovascular disease, which are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the Black population. During this session, panelists will explore the prevalence of metabolic disorders in Black communities and discuss strategies for addressing inequalities. Through engagement with attendees, speakers will identify ways to reduce obesity and other chronic diseases so that Black people can live full, healthy lives.
BREAKOUT 4 BLACKOUT ROOM, 1ST FLOOR
Bridging the Care Gap: Exploring solutions for a more representative healthcare workforce
This session will focus on current challenges related to the health care work force including exploring pipeline barriers across healthcare roles and addressing gaps in care. Panelists will also discuss how different stakeholders across the health care system can work together to build a representative workforce of the future and develop creative solutions to ensure the health system works better for everyone.
SPONSOR:
Moderator:
Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson
Chief Medical Office and Executive Vice President
UnitedHealth Group
Panelists:
Amirah Salaam, VP
Government Relations
Adtalem Global Education
Dr. Gary Puckrein
President and CEO
National Minority Quality Forum
Closing Remarks
2:50 PM–3:00 PM EST
Dr. Jonathan Cox
Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis and Research
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Speakers
Nicole Austin-Hillery
President & CEO
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
IN ORDER OF APPEARANCE
Dr. Jonathan Cox
Vice President, Center for Policy Analysis and Research
Congressional Black Caucus Foundation
Rep. Robin Kelly
U.S. House of Representatives
Dr. Ayanna Bennett
Director
DC Department of Health
Rep. Terri A. Sewell
U.S. House of Representatives
Dedrick AsanteMuhammad
President
The Joint Center for Political Economic Studies
Mariah Barber, MPH
Founder Invisible Strengths
EllesseRoselee Akré, PhD
Assistant Professor
Johns Hopkins
Bloomberg School of Public Health
Dr. Jean Accius
President and CEO
Creating Healthier Communities
Dr. Uché Blackstock
Founder and Chief Advisor
Advancing Health Equity
Erin Poyant
Senior Manager of Education and Awareness
Amyloidosis Research Consortium
Akeia Blue
President, Center for Sustainable Health Care Quality & Equity
National Minority Quality Forum
Amirah Salaam
VP, Government Relations
Adtalem Global Education
Vivian Herrera
Vice President, Scientific Evidence and Policy Research
Johnson & Johnson
Innovative Medicine
JeShaune Jackson
Director, Strategic Alliances and Patient Advocacy
BridgeBio Pharma
Dr. Barbara Hutchinson
President Chesapeake Cardiac Care
Dr. MargaretMary Wilson
Chief Medical Office & Executive Vice President
UnitedHealth Group
Dr. Gary Puckrein
President and CEO
National Minority Quality Forum
HEALTH FAIR
9:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Thank You To Our Health Fair Participants
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
Title Sponsor
Platinum Sponsor
Sponsors
Sponsor
Gold
Silver
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION
Board of Directors
CHAIR
Rep. Terri A. Sewell
U.S. House of Representatives
SECRETARY
Alethia Jackson
Rep. Joyce Beatty
U.S. House of Representatives
Courtney Billington
Natalie Brunson-Wheeler
State Farm Insurance Companies
Dale Burnett BIG Equity Investors LLC
Rep. Troy Carter
U.S. House of Representatives
Uri Clinton
Boyd Gaming Corporation
LaDavia Drane Amazon
Noni Ellison Tractor Supply Company
VICE CHAIR
Chaka T. Burgess Nation Strategies
TREASURER Markus Green
Pamela Everhart Fidelity Investments
Isaac Fordjour Walgreens
Felicia Hale The Coca-Cola Company
Quita Highsmith, MBA Genentech
Colette Honorable Exelon
Rep. Steven Horsford
U.S. House of Representatives
Rep. Glenn Ivey
U.S. House of Representatives
Broderick Johnson Comcast Corporation
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION
Board of Directors
Rep. Robin Kelly
U.S. House of Representatives
Marcus Sebastian Mason
The Madison Group
Rep. Lucy McBath
U.S. House of Representatives
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Former Congressman Kendrick Meek
Rep. Stacey E. Plaskett
U.S. House of Representatives
Nichole Francis Reynolds, Esq.
DIRECTOR EMERITUS
Former Congressman Cedric Richmond
CBC CHAIRPERSON
Rep. Yvette D. Clarke
U.S. House of Representatives
CBC SPOUSES CHAIRPERSON
Rev. William Coleman
Martin Rodgers Accenture
CAC CHAIRPERSON
John Mason
Altria
Lisa Osborne Ross
Dontai Smalls UPS
Jesse Tyson
Rondu Vincent
Bristol Myers Squibb
Rep. Frederica S. Wilson
U.S. House of Representatives
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION
Corporate Advisory Council
CHAIRPERSON
John Mason
Altria
Sanders L. Adu Wells Fargo
Patrick Edmond CSX Corporation
LaKeitha Anderson Eli Lilly
Kevin J. Armstrong Mitchell Hamline School of Law
Keenan Austin Reed Alpine Group
Rontel Batie Batie Consulting
Cachavious English Ford Motor Company
Fenimore Fisher Aramark Corporation
Heather Foster
Karis T. Gutter Corteva Agriscience
Benjamin Branch
Phil A. Hancock Norfolk Southern
Zoe Cadore Calpine
Ashley Hayes
Charter Communications
Kwame Canty Edison Electric Institute
Edward W. Hill ViacomCBS (Paramount)
Cory C. Horton Entergy
CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS FOUNDATION
Corporate Advisory Council
Mervyn L. Jones II MLJ Strategies
Francesca Jordan Dell Technologies
Jackie Kelly, Jr.
FedEx Corporation
Adrienne Marks
Visa
Ibn Akbar Salaam, MBA Waste Management, Inc.
Waldo McMillan
Cisco Lamell McMorris
Marie Ray Scott M. R. Whitsett, Inc.
Charlyn Stanberry National Association of Broadcasters
ShaShrina Thomas Reynolds
Virgil A. Miller
Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP
Ashli Nelson McDonald’s
Katelyn J. Nnake
Dana Thompson Fulcrum Public Affairs
Darrel Thompson theGROUP
Chris Randle
Meta
Brandon Webb Amazon
Alveda J. Williams, Ph.D Dow, Inc.
Tiffani V. Williams, JD, MPH The Daschle Group
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 119th Congress
In order of seniority
Delegate
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC)
Representative Maxine Waters (CA)
Representative Sanford D. Bishop (GA)
Representative James E. Clyburn (SC)
Representative Bobby Scott (VA)
Representative Bennie G. Thompson (MS)
Representative Danny K. Davis (IL)
Representative Gregory D. Meeks (NY)
Representative David Scott (GA)
Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (MO)
Representative Al Green (TX)
Representative Gwen Moore (WI)
Representative Yvette D. Clarke (NY)
Representative Hank Johnson (GA)
Representative André Carson (IN)
Representative Frederica S. Wilson (FL)
Representative Terri A. Sewell (AL)
Representative Joyce Beatty (OH)
Representative Hakeem Jeffries (NY)
Representative Marc Veasey (TX)
Representative Robin Kelly (IL)
Senator Cory Booker (NJ)
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 119th Congress
In order of seniority
Representative Alma Adams (NC)
Representative Stacey E. Plaskett (VI)
Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ)
Representative Dwight Evans (PA)
Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE)
Representative Steven Horsford (NV)
Representative Jahana Hayes (CT)
Representative Lucy McBath (GA)
ASSISTANT DEMOCRATIC LEADER
Representative Joe Neguse (CO)
Representative Ilhan Omar (MN)
Representative Ayanna Pressley (MA)
Representative Lauren Underwood (IL)
Representative Kweisi Mfume (MD)
Representative Nikema Williams (GA)
Representative Ritchie Torres (NY)
Representative Marilyn Strickland (WA)
Senator Raphael Warnock (GA)
Representative Troy Carter (LA)
Representative Shontel Brown (OH)
Representative Sheila Cherfilus McCormick (FL)
Representative Jasmine Crockett (TX)
Representative Don Davis (NC)
Members of the Congressional Black Caucus of the 119th Congress
In order of seniority
Representative Valerie Foushee (NC)
Representative Maxwell Frost (FL)
Representative Lamonica McIver (NJ)
Representative Glenn Ivey (MD)
Senator Angela Alsobrooks (MD)
Representative Jonathan Jackson (IL)
Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA)
Representative Summer Lee (PA)
Representative Wesley Bell (MO)
Representative Janelle Bynum (OR)
Representative Herb Conaway, MD (NJ)
Representative Emilia Sykes (OH)
Representative Cleo Fields (LA)
Representative Jeniffer McClellan (VA)
Representative Gabe Amo (RI)
Representative Shomari Figures (AL)
Representative Lateefah Simon (CA)
Representative Sylvester Turner (TX) Deceased
Helping people live healthier lives and helping make the health system work better for everyone
UnitedHealth Group is honored to support the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s Annual Health Equity Summit
