Billy Mitchell (Democratic Party) is a member of the Georgia House of Representatives, representing District 88. He assumed office on January 13, 2003. His current term ends on January 9, 2023. Mitchell (Democratic Party) is running for re-election to the Georgia House of Representatives to represent District 88.

He is on the ballot in the Democratic primary on May 24, 2022. Billy Mitchell served on the Stone Mountain City Council from 1995 to 2002. Billy Mitchell is also the President of the National Black Caucus to State Legislators since 2019.

Representative Billy Mitchell is also the President of The National Black Caucus of State Legislators (NBCSL). It is the nation’s premier organization representing and serving the interests of African American State legislators.

With more than 700 members representing more than 60 million Americans, NBCSL serves as a national network, advocate and catalyst for public policy innovation, information exchange, and joint action on critical issues affecting African Americans and other marginalized communities. Through research, education, and advocacy, NBCSL strengthens its members and helps ensure their strong, effective and influential voice on Capitol Hill.

Mr. AJ Merriweather had to learn firsthand how difficult it can be to navigate through the health care system and how important it is to be your own advocate after being diagnosed in 2011. As a survivor and after overcoming his prognosis, AJ made it a lifelong mission to be an advocate and a voice in the pursuit of finding the cause, prevention, and to truly make a difference in the mission to end prostate cancer and educate men about the disease. AJ is the co-founder and president of the Black Male Prostate Coalition of Florida. In addition, he is the Ambassador for the Prostate Health Education Network in Jacksonville. He has been actively involved since his diagnosis as a patient advocate, speaking on multiple occasions, and is a stakeholder of UF Proton Center’s clinical trials. He is very excited to continue to grow as an advocate and to be able to have his voice heard through science, research, and policy with the amazing opportunity that the Prostrate Cancer Survivors Conference is providing. He has been married to Callie Merriweather for 24 years and has four children.

Dr. Harshaw has been committed to the Christian ministry of teaching and preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ for more than four decades. He has established a work ethic that speaks to the importance of his ultimate career objective and personal goal, which is to become a servant of God in the transformative ministry of spiritual formation, with special focus upon the power of prayer and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Dr. Harshaw has been a student of the Bible and systematic theology for more than four decades earning the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) and Master of Arts (M.A.) degrees in Theology, Master of Divinity (M.Div.) and Doctor of

Prolific visionary, pioneer and leader, Pastor and Representative James David Gailliard has seamlessly combined the principles of pastoral ministry and public policy to form a collaborative model of human, socio-economic and community development. His vision has given birth to nine independent, yet collaborative Centers addressing Capacity Building; Childhood, College & Career Readiness; Culinary Arts & Hospitality; Faith & Family; Health & Wellness; Leadership Development & Capacity Building; Media & Broadcast and Performing Arts & Worship. Since 2005, he has pastored Word Tabernacle Church in Rocky Mount, NC. It is through his leadership and forethought that he is passionately pursuing and securing a better future for Eastern North Carolinians, and for North Carolinians as a whole. Representative Gailliard is currently
serving his second term in the North Carolina General Assembly. As a State Representative, he serves on five Standing Committees, of which Health is one.

The product of an extraordinary union during even more extraordinary times, the racially charged environment of the 1960’s, James David is the son of Wesley Stephen Gailliard III and Ruth Mae Gailliard, an interracial couple who courageously defied the odds by marrying when it was not socially acceptable to do so. His academic background is an unusual combination of theology, counseling, and business administration. As a Morehouse man he was named to both Honor Roll and Dean’s Lists. He furthered his studies at St. Joseph’s University. He is the loving father of five, a grandfather, husband to Angela, and the spiritual father, son, and brother to many. In his spare time James enjoys riding his motorcycle and engaging in a game of billiards.

Community Involvements

• • • • Commissioner, My Future NC
      • Board of Trustees, Louisburg College
      • Board of Preachers, Morehouse College
      • Board of Directors, Kiwanis Club
      • Fellow, North Carolina Institute of Political Leadership

Dr. Marvella Ford holds a dual appointment at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) and South Carolina State University (SCSU), a Historically Black College/University (HBCU). At MUSC, Dr. Ford is a Professor of Public Health Sciences and serves as the Associate Director of Cancer Disparities at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center.  Dr. Ford was appointed to Professor in the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences at SCSU in 2017.

Dr. Ford’s research focuses on personal and socioeconomic factors impacting cancer screening and detection among underserved and minority populations such as race, gender, and education. She

Dr. Ashanda Esdaille received her MD degree from Morehouse School of Medicine in 2015. She did her general surgery internship and urology residency at SUNY Downstate Medical Center, after which she completed her fellowship in urologic oncology at the University of Wisconsin at Madison in 2022. During her fellowship she received the Bristol-Myers-Squibb Diversity in Clinical Trials Award and the American Urological Association’s Research Scholar Award.

Her cardinal research focus is disparities in prostate cancer detection and treatment. Her primary clinical practice location is the Atlanta VA Healthcare System.