Dr. Damika "Dami" Walker The Dami Collective, L.L.C.

Dr. Damika "Dami" Walker, PharmD, RPh, is a pharmacist, immunization advocate, speaker, and style entrepreneur whose mission is to help women show up fully in who God created them to be. She currently serves as the Registered Manager of the Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy located inside Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C. as well as the Residency Program Director for the Walgreens/Howard University College of Pharmacy PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program where she mentors and develops the next generation of pharmacists.

Dr. Walker holds a BA in Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Howard University College of Pharmacy. Over the past 17 years of her pharmacy career, God has allowed her to advance community health through roles in independent pharmacy, specialty pharmacy, and immunization services. This commitment to serving others also extends to her work as Chair of ImmunizeDC, Washington D.C.'s immunization coalition, and as a sought-after contracted speaker and vaccine advocate with organizations such as GSK, Moderna, and the American Pharmacists Association—where she educates healthcare professionals and communities on vaccine confidence and health equity.

Out of a deeply personal journey of rediscovering identity beyond titles and responsibilities, Dr. Walker founded The Dami Collective, L.L.C. Through this style consulting brand, she walks alongside busy women to help them reclaim confidence, refine their presence, and feel effortlessly put-together—whether they are leading teams, serving in ministry, nurturing families, or building God-given dreams. Anchored in Ephesians 2:10 and the truth that we are God's intentional workmanship, she reminds women that they are already designed with purpose, beauty, and power in Christ and that style can simply reflect the masterpiece God created.

Across every assignment, Dr. Walker seeks to honor God through service, excellence, authenticity, and compassion. Her work sits beautifully at the intersection of faith, public health, and personal empowerment—where wellbeing meets wardrobe, calling meets confidence, and purpose meets presence in God's perfect design. She is grateful to walk out her calling as a wife, mother, mentor, leader, and kingdom woman and gives all glory to God for the opportunity to serve.

Keva Brooks Napper MEEK Legacy, LLC & Brooks Media LLC

An icon of strength and resiliency, Keva Brooks Napper is a powerhouse entrepreneur based in North Carolina. Keva is a three-time Best Selling Author, Speaker, and Humanitarian. She is the Founder of MEEK Legacy, LLC, and Brooks Media LLC, a family inspired company that supports her mission of inspiring and uplifting through film, literature, and speaking. Her most recent projects include "The Bridge Magazine," "Shift To Heal," and "The Diva Club of Mental Health."

For a total of 23 years, Keva has been thriving through Lupus and desires to see others battling any type of invisible illness do the same. To this end, she founded Beautiful Butterflies Inc., a nonprofit foundation used to bring awareness and education on Lupus and other illnesses. She often says, "I can't eradicate illness but I can help eradicate the pain of it," and shapes her endeavors with this in mind.

Keva's academic repertoire includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in Elementary Education with a minor in English from North Carolina Central University and a Master's in Organizational Leadership. Throughout the years, she has received a myriad of awards for her service and brilliance as a community leader. Some of those honors include: Teacher of the Year, Guilford County's Reader's Choice Best Writer, Women in Organizing—Sheroe Award, ACHI Non-Profit Executive Director's Award, and the Lifetime Achievement HOPE Award.

Keva is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.

Learn more at www.mybeautifulbutterflies.com | www.simplykeva.org

Elder Kera Jo GEM 210 Ministry

Kera Jo, also known as Dawana Jo and Fquira, is the founder and ministry servant of GEM 210 Ministry, established through God's direction to restore what has been broken by trauma, loss, and life disruptions, and to realign individuals with their God-given purpose. The ministry is rooted in the mandate of beauty for ashes—transforming pain, confusion, and fragmentation into healing, wholeness, and clarity of identity in Christ.

Through teaching, preaching, and creative ministry, Kera Jo leads with a restorative focus—addressing both spiritual and emotional wounds caused by trauma and "drama," and guiding individuals toward renewal, stability, and purposeful living. GEM 210 Ministry emphasizes that each person is God's intentional creation, designed with meaning, value, and function, even when life experiences have distorted that truth.

Ordained as an Elder and Pastor, Kera Jo serves as a shepherd and builder, creating spaces where healing is cultivated, faith is strengthened, and individuals are equipped to walk forward restored and aligned with God's design. Her personal testimony, while powerful, serves to reinforce the mission rather than define it.

At its core, GEM 210 Ministry exists to restore identity, awaken purpose, and cultivate lives that reflect God's redemptive order—transforming broken places into living expressions of His glory.

Kimberly Michelle Gospel Artist & Classically Trained Violinist

Born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, singer, songwriter, and classically trained violinist, Kimberly Michelle is a multi-faceted contemporary gospel artist. Learning to play the violin at the tender age of 5 and singing the national anthem in front of a stadium full of thousands at the age of 7, Michelle quickly discovered her love, passion and natural gift of music.

In 2005, Michelle went on to study at the School of Music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, earning a degree in Music Performance with a concentration in violin.

Soon after graduating from UNCG School of Music, Michelle attended Rhema Bible Training Center located in Tulsa, Oklahoma under the direction of Pastor Kenneth Hagin. Michelle studied courses that further sharpened her passion and the anointing that God has placed on her life for ministry and went on to become an ordained minister in 2021. Michelle's training has allotted her many dynamic opportunities such as performing for the Stellar Awards, which is the largest gospel award show in the world, Women's Empowerment, the Governor's mansion, and various other events around the country.

Currently doing music full time in North Carolina, Michelle states that "my love for music and the call that I believe is on my life for ministry were bound to birth a dynamic worshipper in me that I pray will touch the nation."

Kimberly just released her first full album titled "Your Love" available on all digital outlets. Follow her on Instagram @kimberlymichellemusic

Lexus Burton Sculpted Artistry & Sculpted Fitness

Lexus Burton, affectionately known as Lex, is the owner of Sculpted Artistry, a beauty business, and Sculpted Fitness. She is greatly involved in her church as they are pivotal to her community in Charlotte, NC.

"My greatest burden is to restore individuals to their original intended purpose. By teaching, enlightening, exhorting, and encouraging, I help people discover their passions, pain points, strengths, and weaknesses to reveal their original intended purpose that life experiences have built temptation for them to flee from. This is in order to lay the foundation for the best fulfilling lifestyle.

I believe that if we be all that we can be, then we will do all that we can do, and as a by product, have all that we can have.

I am excited to be given every opportunity to encourage us in this way that we should go in Christ Jesus."

Rev. Dr. Jesse Lea Alston Cameron Grove Missionary Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Jesse Lea Alston is an energetic, dedicated, and humble minister of the Gospel with more than 50 years of ministry experience in leading souls to Christ. Known as "A Man of Wisdom," he has glorified God through preaching and singing in a manner that continually testifies to the Grace and Mercy of God and the Redemptive work of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

After graduating from Graham High School in Graham, NC, Rev. Alston matriculated from Technical College of Alamance, Shaw University in Raleigh, NC, and earned his Master of Divinity from Christian Bible Institute in Durham, NC. He was later awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from Ezekiel Institute of Ministry Bible College.

Licensed to preach on November 14, 1971 at Mount Moriah Missionary Baptist Church in Mebane, NC, Rev. Alston was called to pastor Mount Gilead Missionary Baptist Church of Orange County within five months. He later served Jones Cross Road Missionary Baptist Church in Reidsville, NC, where in less than four years God allowed him to ordain over eight deacons and ministers, baptize over 75 new members, and oversee the construction of a new sanctuary holding over 500 people.

In August 1986, he was called to pastor Cameron Grove Missionary Baptist Church of Durham, NC, where he served for nearly four decades. Under his leadership, fifteen men and women received their licenses and/or ordination to preach the Gospel. He instituted Mid-Week Bible Study, the Alston Family Annual Gospel Program benefiting Senior Citizens, Children's Church, and a televised ministry on Durham Cable Vision Channel 8 serving the sick and shut-in.

Rev. Dr. Alston retired from pastoring in August 2025, yet continues to minister to the global church. Over 46 years of active ministry, he baptized hundreds, interceded for thousands, and blessed an immeasurable number of souls. He is supported by his lovely wife of over 50 years, Mrs. Janice Brooks Alston, and an anointed family of five daughters and one son.

"Never let your pain be louder than your praise!"

Ministry Affiliations: Minister of the Gospel through song at Jones Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hillsborough, NC; Vice President over Spiritual Growth and Development for TAL Ministries LLC, Charlotte, NC; Spiritual Advisor of Hope In Today Ministries, INC., Efland, NC; Vice Moderator of the East Cedar Grove Baptist Association, Creedmoor, NC.

Dr. Jesse Tyrone Alston Kimes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

Dr. Jesse Tyrone Alston—Husband, Father, Pastor, and Friend—is the son of Pastor Jesse and Janice Alston of Cameron Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Durham, NC, and the great-grandson of Pastor Joe Brooks, founder and pastor of Jones Grove Missionary Baptist Church, Hillsborough, NC. He was licensed and ordained under the guidance of his former pastor, Dr. TC Nicholson.

Pastor Alston has served as Senior Pastor of Kimes Chapel Missionary Baptist Church in Mebane, NC for 26 years. Under God's leadership, he has baptized over 100 new converts, led more than 150 people to give their lives to Christ, licensed three ministers, installed the first women trustees in the church's history, and implemented numerous ministries for all ages, including Camp Risen Son. He is also the founder of Laudhim Ministries 7 INC and The Five Singing Preachers LLC.

Pastor Alston matriculated from Eastern Alamance High School and furthered his education at Saint Augustine's University and Newburgh Theological Seminary College, where he received his Doctorate of Divinity. He retired from Durham Public Schools in March 2022 and now serves as Dean of Admissions at Ezekiel Institute of Ministry Bible College.

He is married to the former Ms. Janice Lynette Daye of Durham, NC, and together they have been blessed with five beautiful children: Tyron, Jazmyn, Jesse, Jeremiah, and Jesseka.

Pastor Alston's mission is to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ so that all people might be saved—knowing that in it contains salvation, deliverance, joy, peace, and life itself. His motto: "God First!"

Recent Honors: Ben E. Corbett Father of the Year Award; Omega Psi Phi Man of the Year Award (2017); Light 103.9 Pastor of the Month; President's Lifetime Achievement Award from President Joe Biden (November 2022); Mebane Proclamation declaring September 13 as Dr. Jesse Tyrone Alston Day.

Dr. Fahnie Stewart Shaw Communities In Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg

Dr. Fahnie Stewart Shaw proudly serves as the first Chief Operating Officer of Communities In Schools Charlotte-Mecklenburg, where she leads enterprise operations, strategic partnerships, and organizational growth. She previously served as Chief Operating Officer of the Urban League of Central Carolinas, securing over $1M in funding and expanding women's workforce development, college and career readiness, and community engagement initiatives.

Her career includes senior leadership roles with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools as Director of Title I Engagement, Outreach and Specialized Services, where she advanced equity policies, leadership development, and engagement for public, private, and non-public schools. Dr. Shaw has also led government services teams for the Departments of Interior, Education, and Defense, and corporate learning and development teams with Bank of America and CitiFinancial.

Dr. Shaw holds a B.S. in Business Administration Management from the University of South Carolina, an M.A. in Organizational Management from Chapman University, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership and Administration from Argosy University. She is Six Sigma Black Belt Certified with executive certifications from Johns Hopkins, Duke University, and Cornell University.

Her leadership has been recognized through awards including Charlotte Ledger's 40 Over 40, Mecklenburg Times 50 Most Influential Women (2024), NC Woman to Know (2025), and honors from the CIAA and the NC Governor's Council. She serves on the boards of the Muggsy Bogues Family Foundation and Child Care Resources, Inc., and mentors scholars through the Ruth G. Shaw Scholars Program at Central Piedmont Community College.

Dr. Shaw is a member of Leadership Charlotte Class 41, the African American Leadership Academy, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is active at St. Marks United Methodist Church and is married to retired Marine Atiba Damany Shaw Sr. She is the proud mother of two honor students, Zaire and AJ, and lives by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: "Intelligence plus character—that is the goal."

Asha S. Rodriguez Atrium Health Cabarrus

Asha Rodriguez is the facility executive and leader of Atrium Health Cabarrus in Concord, N.C., a 457-bed, not-for-profit tertiary regional hospital and part of Advocate Health. At Atrium Health Cabarrus, more than 4,300 hospital employees provide services through an extensive inpatient and outpatient network, including Jeff Gordon Children's Center, Hayes Family Center, and Batte Cancer Center, two freestanding emergency departments, and a joint-ventured ambulatory surgery center.

Asha brings diverse and progressive professional experience in education and both non-profit and for-profit managed hospitals and health systems. She leads with a disciplined approach to operations, budget control, strategic growth, and expansion of services. Prior to her current role, she served as Vice President of Operations at Atrium Health Cabarrus, and previously held leadership positions at CHRISTUS Health, including President of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Westover Hills Hospital and Administrator of CHRISTUS Santa Rosa Medical Center Hospital. Before healthcare, she completed a teaching commitment with Teach for America in Washington, D.C., which she credits as one of the most transformative experiences of her career.

She has received numerous awards including Advocate Health's Diversity Champion Award, Community Champion Award, and Executive Sponsor of the Year, as well as Cabarrus County's Keeper of the Dream Lifetime Achievement Award and national recognition as a Tomorrow's Leader from the Catholic Health Association.

Asha graduated from Florida A&M University with a B.S. in Health Care Management and from George Mason University with an MBA. She serves on the Foundation For The Carolinas Governing Board, Florida A&M University's Healthcare Management Advisory Board, and Cabarrus Health Alliance's Board of Commissioners. One of her most fulfilling roles is serving as executive sponsor of A2WeXcel, Atrium Health's largest affinity group, dedicated to supporting more than 2,400 African American women.

Kendall Phills The Phills Foundation

Kendall Phills is a philanthropist at heart who simply lives to give. In 2000, she faced unimaginable loss when her high school sweetheart and the father of her children, Bobby Phills II, an NBA shooting guard, tragically passed away in a car accident. In the midst of her grief, Kendall turned her pain into purpose, founding the Phills Foundation to honor Bobby's legacy and serve families in need.

She firmly believes that our greatest contributions are often born from our deepest pain, and it has been her faith in God that has sustained her through life's most difficult moments. Her greatest inspiration comes from her adult children, Trey and Kerstie Phills, who continuously push and stretch her to become the best version of herself.

For over 27 years, Kendall has dedicated her life to uplifting the Charlotte community—extending her hands to those in need through acts of service, philanthropy, and advocacy. She has impacted countless lives as a motivational speaker, volunteer with multiple nonprofit organizations, and a licensed real estate broker, always striving to provide hope and stability for those facing hardship.

Through the Phills Foundation and its Live to Give initiative, Kendall continues to make a difference—one home, one heart, and one act of kindness at a time.