Linda Villarosa is a journalist, author, and contributing writer for The New York Times Magazine, where she covers race, inequality, and public health. A former executive editor of Essence Magazine, she is the author of Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Lives and on the Health of Our Nation, which examines the impact of racism on health outcomes in the United States. Her groundbreaking reporting on Black maternal and infant mortality helped bring national attention to racial disparities in healthcare and public health.

Dr. Maria Rosario Jackson is an educator, urban planner, and nationally recognized leader in community development, social impact, and cultural policy. She served as Chair of the National Endowment for the Arts from 2021–2025 and has spent more than 30 years advancing healthy, equitable communities through work in government, philanthropy, higher education, and the nonprofit sector. She is currently University Professor of Creativity and Social Impact at Arizona State University, where she leads the Studio for Creativity and Social Impact at the California Center.

Dr. Joy Cooper is a Philly girl turned Harvard and Howard-educated physician; committed to eradicating health disparities. When she is not on call catching babies or raising her own baby girl, she is fulfilling her mission to impact women of the African Diaspora through her telemedicine startup Culture Care.

Kelly O’Connor (she/her) is the Executive Director of Maternal Mental Health NOW, where she oversees programmatic, fundraising, and marketing operations to ensure families across Los Angeles County have access to the maternal mental health support they need to thrive. She previously served as Development Director for seven years and has worked across nonprofit human services and environmental organizations in the US and UK. Kelly holds a BS from Northwestern University and an MS in Elementary Education from Brooklyn College.

Felicia Francis-Edwards is a birth doula, author, and maternal health advocate with more than 30 years of experience in Maternal Child Health, specializing in supporting African American families and advancing birth equity. She worked with the AAIMM Doula Program and Frontline Doulas for seven years, contributing to evidence-based programs designed to reduce maternal and infant mortality and morbidity within the African American community. Felicia is also the author of Empathic Birth-Her, a work that reflects her passion for compassionate, culturally responsive care and empowering families through birth and beyond.

Karen Mack founded LA Commons over 25 years ago based on a vision of communities where everyone
has access and freedom to express themselves and the ability to tap into the power that creativity
provides. The South LA–based nonprofit works in neighborhoods across the city, implementing artistic
programs that foster interaction, dialogue and collaboration. They play a unique role as a facilitator of
local engagement in arts and culture as well as in other important issues like health, transportation and
education, to name a few, giving residents and particularly young people, a voice and an onramp to
making positive change.

Nache’t Brown is a Learning and Development Specialist at El Sol Neighborhood Educational Center who develops and facilitates Community Health Worker (CHW) training focused on health equity, healing-centered engagement, and community empowerment. She specializes in curriculum development and dynamic facilitation for diverse audiences nationwide. A member of National Association of Community Health Workers, Nache’t uses culture, lived experience, and education to inspire advocacy, resilience, and healing. 

Leslie McFarlane is a traditional Midwife, Maternal Health Program Director, California coalition leader, and Medi-Cal Enhanced Care Management provider with over a decade of experience advancing birth justice. She provides direct, full-spectrum care and support to Black, Black immigrant, and Indigenous families while bridging healthcare, housing, and community systems. Leslie is also the co-founder of Around Birth Collective, working to expand equitable, community-centered care for parents and babies.

Michelle Mondia is a public health leader, mother, and death midwife with over 15 years of experience guiding families through profound life transitions. She works at the intersection of community care and systems change, notably supporting incarcerated women through rehabilitation, restorative justice, and land stewardship. Michelle holds a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley and a Master of Public Health with a concentration on Maternal and Child Health. Her transformative approach to community well-being is grounded in both academic rigor and extensive training in Zen Buddhism and indigenous practices.

Alan Arkatov is a nationally recognized leader in education, technology, and innovation who has held executive roles at organizations including the Teaching Channel, 2U, and OnlineLearning.net. He previously founded USC’s Center EDGE and has served in numerous public leadership positions, including appointments to the California State Board of Education and the Congressional Web-Based Education Commission. Throughout his career, he has advised leading communications, education, and public-sector organizations on strategy, innovation, and transformation.

Dr. Kimberly Narain is a primary care internist, obesity medicine specialist, and researcher in the Division of General Internal Medicine & Health Services Research at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine. She also serves as Director of Health Services and Health Optimization Research at the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women’s Health Center. Her research focuses on addressing structural factors that drive health inequities, particularly among women, racial and ethnic minority groups, and individuals with low socioeconomic status.

Michael Ligon is Creative & Business Affairs Officer at Presenting AfroClassical Composers – a for-profit organization devoted to expanding the classical music canon. Mr. Ligon studied piano with Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Dr. George Walker, helping ground his artistry in the highest of classical traditions.  He has served as accompanist for nationally televised White House Presidential Scholars Program. As a double bassist he has performed in multiple symphony orchestras backing such legends as Ray Charles, Beverly Sills,  Ron Carter and Victor Borge, and has performed at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.  He has played under the baton of distinguished conductors including Arther Fiedler. 
Through the mission at Presenting AfroClassical Composers, what we hear on concert stages is being reshaped – to a more inclusive repertoire, reflecting fuller depth and brilliance of our shared musical inheritance in classical music.