Karine Jean-Pierre, Former Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to the President Author, Activist, and Media Personality

Karine Jean-Pierre is the former Press Secretary and Senior Advisor to President Joseph R.Biden, Jr. She is the first Black person and first openly queer person to serve as the White House Press Secretaryand is the longest serving female in this role. Karine is a long-time advisor to President Biden, having served in senior communications and political roles in the Biden Administration, the Biden campaign, and in the Obama Administration. Prior to her role on the campaign, she served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for MoveOn.org and was an NBC and MSNBC Political Analyst.

Jean-Pierre served as Regional Political Director for the White House Office of Political Affairs during the Obama-Biden administration and as Deputy Battleground States Director for President Obama’s 2012 re-election campaign.

She served as Southeast Regional Political Director for President Obama’s 2008 campaign,Deputy Campaign Manager for Martin O’Malley for President, Campaign Manager for the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Initiative, and Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Legislative and Budget Affairs for two members in the New York City Council.

Previously, Karine worked at the Center for Community and Corporate Ethics, pushing major companies to change their business practices. She is the author of her memoir titled Moving Forward: A Story of Hope, Hard Work, and the Promise of America. Born in Martinique and raised in New York, Jean-Pierre is a graduate of Columbia University.

Shaplaie Brooks, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on LGBTQ Youth, is a passionate advocate for marginalized communities, drawing from her extensive experience in social services and child welfare.

With over a decade in the child welfare system and a background as a system-involved youth, she has dedicated her career to creating an equitable environment for vulnerable populations, particularly cisgender boys, transgender, and nonbinary youth affected by Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Shaplaie has actively participated in coalitions, contributed to law enforcement guidelines, and trained various state agencies to enhance their response to these issues. As the owner of Beyond DEI, LLC, she has collaborated with numerous nonprofits to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Her leadership roles, including Chairwoman of the NAACP's New England Region LGBTQ Committee and a member of the Governor’s Council on Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence, highlight her commitment to advocacy. Recognized with multiple awards for her work with black and brown youth and for her ongoing dedication, Shaplaie continues to strive for positive change in her community

Jordina Shanks, Fenway Health CEO

Jordina Shanks is Fenway Health’s CEO. She joined Fenway as Chief Operating Officer in 2021 and then served as Interim CEO before being appointed as CEO. Shanks brings over 20 years of experience designing and overseeing operational systems across primary care, specialty, and non-clinical areas that have enabled effective and efficient delivery of quality clinical care. Prior to joining Fenway, Shanks was Chief Operating Officer at Mattapan Community Health Center, where she held broad strategic responsibility across all departments and served as the compliance officer.

Shanks is a nurse and a healthcare systems expert who has designed and implemented numerous initiatives that increase patient and provider satisfaction, sustain profitability, and improve safety and quality. She employs a data-driven approach to assessing issues and concerns, encourages innovative solutions and holds racial and health equity at the center of all business decisions.

A. Cornelius Baker |

Cornelius Baker was a passionate advocate for HIV/AIDS prevention and public health, whose career spanned decades of groundbreaking work. Starting early in his career, he combined editorial flair as an arts editor for the Washington City Paper with a deep commitment to LGBTQ movements, raising funds for local organizations. His talent for public administration blossomed during his time as an executive assistant to D.C. City Council member Carol Schwartz, paving the way for influential roles in government.

By 1989, Baker was making significant contributions at the national level, joining the White House Presidential Personnel Office under President George H. W. Bush and later serving at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His role as Confidential Assistant to the Assistant Secretary for Health from 1989 to 1992 allowed him to influence national AIDS programs at a critical time.

In 1992, Baker transitioned to a leadership role at the National Association of People with AIDS, eventually becoming its executive director. There, he helped launch National HIV Testing Day on June 27, a pivotal initiative aimed at normalizing testing and integrating it into routine healthcare. His commitment to enhancing access to care continued with his tenure as executive director of the Whitman-Walker Clinic from 1999 to 2004, even as he navigated personal health challenges.

Baker's expertise was sought in various capacities as he served as an adviser to the National Black Gay Men’s Advocacy Coalition and contributed to global HIV/AIDS efforts through the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and other prestigious organizations. His influence extended to the National Institutes of Health's Office of AIDS Research and the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS, while he also sat on the boards of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and the Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation. Throughout his career, Cornelius Baker remained a steadfast and compassionate leader, dedicated to transforming HIV/AIDS policy and care on both national and global stages.

Dr. Cassandra Pierre |

Dr. Cassandra Pierre is an Assistant Professor at the Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, the Medical Director of Public Health Programs and the Associate Hospital Epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center and the Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Council. Supported by state and local public health agencies, the Public Health Programs provide resources for HIV, HCV and STI prevention, linkage to care and management throughout the hospital. Her research is focused on infection prevention in vulnerable population (including the implementation of low-cost infection control interventions to reduce bacteremia among neonates in low-income settings) Her clinical interests include HIV management in special subpopulations (immigrants of color, pregnant women, transactional sex workers and people with substance use). She is Haitian-American, the mother of twin boys and a Dorchester resident.

Living Water | Living Water is a dynamic and spirit-filled gospel group celebrated for their powerful sound, captivating performances, and heartfelt ministry. Founded in 2006 by Gary Lyon, this anointed ensemble has made a strong impact throughout Boston and the surrounding area, bringing a fresh yet authentic sound that resonates across communities and generations.

From the very beginning, Living Water has been driven by a clear and unwavering mission—to glorify God and lead others into His presence through music. With a unique blend of rich harmonies, powerful vocals, and soul-stirring lyrics, they deliver more than just a performance—they offer an experience of worship, encouragement, and transformation.

At the core of everything they do is a deep love for God and a commitment to sharing His truth. Living Water considers it both a privilege and a responsibility to serve as vessels of hope, using their musical gifts to uplift the body of Christ and reach those in need of healing, inspiration, and a reminder of God's faithfulness. Their ministry continues to touch lives throughout local churches, conferences, and community events, leaving a lasting impact everywhere they go. With an undeniable stage presence, authentic worship, and a message rooted in faith, Living Water stands as a powerful voice in the Boston gospel scene—and one you don’t want to miss.

Candace Persuasian | Candace Nguyen (she/her) is a Vietnamese Trans woman who is a Boston local. She was born and raised in Dorchester, being the first one of her family to be born in the US. She is a graduate of UMass Boston with an individualized major in Asian American Studies.

Candace is most known for her performing in the drag scene in Boston as Candace Persuasian where she co created a show with an all trans cast at Jacques Cabaret, the oldest LGBTQ+ establishment in the US.

Candace has also been deeply involved with working in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community. She started off at MAP for Health, which is an organization that is dedicated to improving AAPI sexual health education on topics such as HIV and STDs. Candace has also worked with the Boston Alliance of GLTBQ Youth(BAGLY), Fenway Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital helping Trans and Gender Non Binary folks to get Gender Affirming Surgery to serving as a Community Relations Specialist for the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQ+ Advancement (MOLA) working on Queer issues and advocating for brave spaces in the city that she loves so much. Candace's current role in the city is one of the executive assistants for the Environment Cabinet.

Candace even cameoed in Beyoncé’s Renaissance film after Beyoncé read her sign that says Trans is Beautiful in a sold out stadium which led her to be featured on PinkNews, Billboard, GayTimes and more. Candace has worked with BAGLY, Fenway Health, and Mass General Hospital. She was the recipient of the 2022 Trans Excellence Award presented to her by the Mass Trans Political Coalition.

Denise Washington | Denise is so excited to be using the power of poetry to positively bring people together one poem at a time! She is the Founder, CEO and Curator of her #Pop-Up Poetry Series, A Denise Plays Hard. #Pop-Up Poetry Series, A Denise Plays Hard Event, is a movement that has been popping up for 8 years around the City of Boston and beyond, creating a safe and non-judgmental spaces for all people to breathe, listen, recite and enjoy poetry! Denise opened for KRS-One at the Black Market, Buy Back Your Block in Nubian Square. Her Poem, “A Quilt of Greatness” was made into a short-film and was selected to have a screening in The 2022 Roxbury International Film Festival. She was born and raised in Roxbury, MA; is a METCO graduate of Lincoln -Sudbury Regional High School, an Elma Lewis School of Fine Arts Alum, a voice student of the late John Andrew Ross, a Mentee of the late Ed Bullins and is a New England Poetry Club Advisory Board Member. She holds a MS in Early Childhood Education from Wheelock College and a BS from Emerson College in Television Production/Creative Writing.