African Americans represent almost 12% of Missouri’s population and almost 13% of American’s population. Unfortunately, African Americans men, women, and children suffer disproportionately from the racial disparity imbedded within the American Healthcare system. This disparity in diagnosis, treatment, and access to affordable healthcare has been recognized as a direct contributor to a multitude of illness and chronic conditions that not only negatively impact individuals and families, but also the American workplace.
What can you and your organization do to provide equality in healthcare? Consider donating or sponsoring support for the 2024 African American Healthcare Summit.
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Dr. Kanika Cunnigham is the Director of the St. Louis County Health Department. As such she manages the facility and workforce that’s responsible for the healthcare needs of almost one million St. Louis County residents.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Dr. Cunningham worked at Family Care Health Center as the Associate Medical Director of FCHC’s Carondelet site since March 2019, during which time she also served as clinical faculty to St. Louis University’s Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Dr. Cunnigham is married, with two daughters and resides in nearby St. Charles Missouri.
Dr. Aramide Ayorinde
A healthcare leader with over 20 years of industry experience – more than 18 of those being with Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs). She is currently serves as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Family Care Health Centers (FCHC), a community health center, providing Medical, Dental and Behavioral Health Services to individuals in the St. Louis community. She holds a Bachelors degree in Public Health, a Masters degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Healthcare Management and received a Doctorate degree from Rutgers University in Urban Systems, with a specialization in Urban Health.
Alicia Jenkins
The Deputy Director for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services & #39;
Division of Community and Public Health. Alicia has over 28 years of experience in state
government. She is originally from Southeast Missouri and holds a Master of Science Degree in
Administration from Southeast Missouri State University. Alicia provides leadership support to the Bureaus
of Community Food and Nutrition, WIC, Community Health and Wellness, Genetics and Health
Childhood, HIV, STD, and Hepatitis, and the Offices of Minority Health and Health Equity,
Dental Health, Rural Health and Primary Care and Women’s Health. Currently, Alicia serves on
the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO™) Health Equity Steering
Committee. Alicia serves on the Alicia enjoys working with partners, communities, and
stakeholders to improve outcomes for families and communities.
Major Slusher
Rising from humble beginnings in Saint Louis, MO, where she began working at her first job at McDonald’s, Major diligently absorbed systems and principles that would later serve as the foundation of her own empire. Now living bi-coastally between Saint Louis and Los Angeles, Major lives by Maya Angelou’s inspiring words, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Her powerful message has reached over 100,000 students, as she speaks on stages and in arenas all over the United States, sparking a movement of young dreamers eager to turn aspirations into reality. Her impact resonates deeply, with features on Show Me Saint Louis, NBC, CBS, and partnerships with iHeart Media, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Saint Louis American Newspaper.
She is the visionary force behind signature events such as Major Slusher’s Tea Parties and the Charcuterie Career Summit for teens, empowering young people with the confidence and tools they need to excel.
Dr. Denizela Dorsey
A highly regarded, gifted clinical neuropsychological
therapist and author. Her specialty is in identifying the effects and signs of psychological
trauma and providing treatment for related disorders using neuropsychology. She is
highly proficient in treating related disorders using neuropsychology and particularly
adept in dealing with emotional trauma that affects social development, ranging from
chronic to complex. Dorsey has authored six books with Salem Publishing- Xulon Press.
Dr. Dorsey conducts seminars and teaches on psychological trauma worldwide. Her
newest book is “Your Brain Wears the White Coat: It’s in Your Head to Heal Thy Self:
The Science of the Soul.”
Asia Muhammad
A Naturopathic Doctor who values the power of lifestyle modifications to achieve optimal health. She uses evidence-based, science-based medicine to provide individualized attention to those in her practice. As a naturopathic doctor, she utilizes nutrition, exercise, supplementation through nutraceuticals, botanical medicine, and mind-body therapies. Asia received her Doctorate in Naturopathic Medicine from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 2014 and completed a three year independent residency at Arizona Digestive Health. She received her BS in Chemistry and Biology from Middle Tennessee State University in 2010.