Dr. Arthur Lee is a retired physician and community health advocate with a passion for reducing the burden of social determinants of health through the union of faith and science. He currently serves as Director of Community Engagement at Knowles Home Assisted Living and is a volunteer teacher at the Lloyd C. Elam Mental Health Center. He also supports Meharry Medical College’s COVID-19 statewide education and vaccination programming and Rooted Together Village to expand and help integrate support services for the senior population in North Nashville.

Dr. Lee completed a bachelor's degree at Fisk University and later earned a medical degree from Meharry Medical College. He completed his residency in family medicine in the Department of Community and Occupational Health Division of Family Medicine.

Deputy Mayor Brenda Haywood currently serves Nashville as its Deputy Mayor of Community Engagement and was formerly a Metro Councilwoman. She is also a retired teacher and administrator spanning nearly 40 years in Metro Nashville Public Schools. Deputy Mayor Haywood is credited with the groundbreaking achievement of furthering public school desegregation in the 1960s and continues to be a leading advocate for equity and justice throughout the Greater Nashville community.

Reverend Alisha Haddock is the Senior Vice President of Community and Economic Development at The Housing Fund, a non-profit organization established to finance affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization projects throughout Middle Tennessee. She is also a minister at Christian Journey Fellowship Church. Reverend Haddock’s ministry is based in social awareness and women's empowerment, advocating for the church to include voices of marginalized groups, especially Black women, in leadership.

Reverend Haddock earned a bachelor's degree in divinity and ministry from Belmont University. Later, she earned a master's in divinity from Central Baptist Theological Seminary.

Pastor Vera Davis has over 35 years of experience in organizational management and administration, including planning and organizing along with project design, development, and implementation. She has served as an Assistant Pastor for Family Affair Ministries Fellowship for more than 15 years, championing community change efforts and ministering the love of Jesus Christ.

Pastor Ella Clay serves as Pastor at Historic First Community Church and Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit, Healing Minds and Souls, a faith-based community dedicated to healing trauma through educational classes, resources, and fostering wholeness. Pastor Clay has been a guide for individuals and communities facing trauma, both immediate and generational, helping them find ways to cope and navigate life’s challenges. Currently, Pastor Clay also serves on Nashville Thrives Policy Action Team, Healing Trust Foundation Executive Peer Circle Cohort, and the Feedback Nashville Steering Committee.

Pastor Clay holds a bachelor's degree from American Baptist College, graduated summa cum laude and served as president for her class. She later earned a master's degree in theological studies from Vanderbilt University Divinity School and served as treasurer for Vanderbilt Black Seminarians.

Tonya Brown is an Administrative Officer at Vanderbilt University - the Wond'ry and an experienced grants manager with a history in higher education and social services. Tonya earned a bachelor's of business administration and certification in non-profit management from Tennessee State University. Later, she earned a master's of business administration and management from Bethel University.

Tonya is also a participant in our flagship study, the Vanderbilt Memory and Aging Project. Her personal connection to Alzheimer’s disease fuels her passion for outreach and advocacy surrounding research participation in the Black and African American community.