Hear From Our Experts
A Love Letter to Black America, from America’s Black Doctors and Nurses
This initiative is designed to begin a national conversation, speaking directly to our community about the challenges presented by COVID, and to enhance participation in vaccine clinical trials and vaccine acceptance.
Meet Our Trusted Messengers
Dr. Rodney Hood
President and Chairman, Multicultural Health Foundation
A physician of internal medicine in private practice.
Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.
Public Health Officer & Director, Public Health Services
She has been with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency since 2001, initially as the Deputy Health Officer and now serves as the Public Health Officer since February 2007. She has a strong interest in health disparities and health equity.
Dr. Robert Gillespie
Cardiology Specialist
Dr. Robert Gillespie, born and raised in Gary Indiana, received his undergraduate degree from UCLA and his medical degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine...
Jamal K. Gwathney, MD, MPH, FAAFP
CAPT, U.S. Public Health Service
"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, what are you doing for others?" MLK, Jr.
Mayor Racquel Vasquez
Mayor Racquel Vasquez
Mayor Racquel Vasquez proudly serves the City of Lemon Grove as a historic mayor.
Bishop Terrell Fletcher
Pastor
Terrell Fletcher is a pastor, entrepreneur, community advocate, and author.
Dr. Suzanne Afflalo
Family Physician and Medical Director, Alliance Health Center
Dr. Suzanne Afflalo, MD is a Family Physician and Medical Director in San Diego, CA and has over 31 years of experience in the medical field.
Dr. Kelly O. Elmore
Volunteer Medical Director, VivaLife Health Hub
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Elmore graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Xavier University of Louisiana...
Council Member Monica Montgomery-Steppe
San Diego City Councilmember, District 4
With a combination of knowledge and passion, Monica is dedicated to improving and uplifting the city of San Diego as a whole and the people in the Fourth Council District.
Abdul Waliullah Muhammad
Student Minister
Abdul Waliullah Muhammad, local representative of The Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, business professional, and community leader, was born in Jamaica, West Indies, in 1962.
Council Member Ed Spriggs
Imperial Beach City Council Member
Ed Spriggs was elected to the City Council in November of 2010. His major goal is improving the quality of life for all residents of Imperial Beach. Ed’s community involvement has included membership on streetscape improvement work groups, the Ecotourism Committee and the Tidelands Advisory Committee, which he has served as chairperson for the last two years prior to his election.
Dr. Vangie Ackridge
Educational Psychologist
Dr. Ackridge is an Educational Psychologist who graduated from Alliant International University in 2013.
Dr. John Ringgold
Pastor
Dr. John Ringgold is senior pastor of Bethel Baptist Church of San Diego, California since 1979.
Dr. Akilah Weber
Director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego
Dr. Akilah Weber is a board-certified obstetrician/gynecologist at the University of California San Diego and is also the Director of the Pediatric & Adolescent Gynecology Division at Rady Children's Hospital-San Diego.
Carleton Overstreet
CEO
Carleton Overstreet Jr. is a native of San Diego, CA. Carleton aka CEO is known by many as a drummer, brand manager, business consultant and promoter...
Samantha Gambles Farr
President of San Diego Black Nurses Association
Samantha Gambles Farr is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner with a career in nursing for over 20 years. Her specialties include surgical, cardiothoracic, neuro-critical intensive care and those critically injured in traumas.
Samantha Williams
Nurse Practitioner Samantha Williams SDBNA COVID Task Force Chief
Samantha Williams is a recent Family Nurse Practitioner graduate, with a 10+ year career of nursing experience as a registered nurse.
Satia Omega Austin
President of the North San Diego County NAACP
Not only is Satia a Life Member of the NAACP; she has the esteemed honor of being the current President of the North San Diego County NAACP, the State Advisor for the Youth & College Division across California and Hawaii, and the Vice Chair of the National NAACP Youth Works Committee.
ABOUT US
Together Against COVID is an initiative led by the Multicultural Health Foundation (MHF) in partnership with the County of San Diego. MHF's mission is to bring health justice and wellness to the multicultural communities of San Diego County by focusing resources on the most vulnerable populations with community-based wellness strategies, social-clinical interventions, and research that will lead to the elimination of racial and ethnic health disparities. For more information, please contact us at (619) 915-6734.