Join us for a conversation about lupus including disparities in diagnosis and care, access to care, clinical research, available treatment options and more.

Moderator

Akeia Blue, MPH, MS
Health Communications Director
National Minority Quality Forum

Akeia Blue is a public health communicator with over six years of experience in delivering multicultural marketing, health literacy and culturally competent communications for non-profit and government organizations. Prior to joining NMQF, Akeia’s work at health-focused public relations and marketing agencies gave her the opportunity to support several non-profit organizations, government organization sand pharmaceutical companies across a variety of health topics including sexual/reproductive health, mental health, diabetes, COVID-19 vaccination, general adult vaccination and several types of cancers.
Akeia has contributed to several award-winning campaigns, earned high profile speaking engagements for clients and advised on health equity topics, including word choice, campaign design and research and outreach plans.

Panelists

Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni, MD, MSc
Director of Lupus Clinical Research
National Insitutes of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
National Institute of Health

Dr. Sarfaraz Hasni is the Director of Lupus Clinical Research at the National Institute of Arthritis, Musculoskeletal, and Skin Diseases (NIAMS) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, USA. He did his post-graduate training in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology from State University of New York at Stony Brook and a Master of Health Sciences in Clinical Research from Duke University. He is the recipient of William G. Coleman Minority Health and Health Disparities Research Innovation Award. He has established DC lupus consortium, a platform to bring all stakeholders to brainstorm ideas about improving lives of lupus patients.

He is chosen by American College of Rheumatology to increase awareness of lupus and is conducting a peer-peer mentoring program to improve participation of minority communities in lupus clinical research. He serves as chair of the scientific review committee for the US Department of Defense, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, and scientific reviewer for the NIH-IRB. Dr. Hasni has been invited to present his research at multiple regional, national, and international conferences, medical grand rounds, patient summits, and keynote lectures.

Cora Carter
First Lady
ARK Church

Cora Carter is a native of Baltimore City. She grew up in the East Baltimore community. She has traveled extensively both nationally and internationally. Although she has resided in other parts of our nation for a number of years, she returned to the East Baltimore community to apply the 25 years plus experience in management and community involvement to the same community in which she was born. Cora understands the needs of the community, possesses the skills, and has the resources to address the issues and help resolve the problems. She is a retired Banker and a current Administrator. She brings professional expertise in training, mentoring, educating and counseling to better serve the community.

Bishop Dr. J.L. Carter
Senior Pastor
ARK Church

J.L. Carter has been the Senior Pastor of Ark Church, Baltimore, Maryland since 1987 to the present. In 2014 he was consecrated as a Bishop in the Lord’s church, with the responsibility to serve and give leadership to more than 25 churches nationwide. He is the presiding Prelate of Kingdom Impact Covenant Fellowship.

He received his undergraduate degree in Biology & Chemistry from Morgan State University, his Masters in Divinity from Samuel DeWitt Proctor, School of Theology from Virginia Union University, his Doctorate of Ministry from United Theological Seminary as a Saumel DeWitt Fellow and lastly, has participated in an Ecumenical Study Program at the University of Boston.

Originally published on June 5, 2023