Biography:

Kwame Terra is a health tech entrepreneur, public health advocate, and the founder and CEO of bEHR Health—a digital health platform and wellness ecosystem created to close the life expectancy gap in Black communities. Born in New Orleans, Louisiana, and raised in Houston, Texas, Kwame was a standout student-athlete who went on to study pre-med and public health at Xavier University of Louisiana. During his time in graduate school, he launched bEHR Health to tackle the root causes of poor health outcomes—low health literacy, unhealthy lifestyles, and limited access to preventive care.Through bEHR Health, Kwame and his team provide users with real-time health scores, personalized wellness insights, and community challenges designed to inspire behavior change. The platform also equips clinics, HBCUs, and wellness organizations with aggregate data to drive more effective, culturally grounded health strategies. Under Kwame’s leadership, bEHR has grown from a grassroots concept into a nationally recognized solution, reaching thousands of users across the country and securing nearly $500K in capital and in-kind investment.His long-term vision is to build a nationwide network of wellness centers—all connected through the bEHR Health app—so that wherever users go, their health history follows them, ensuring continuous, personalized care. Whether through digital tools, physical spaces, or grassroots engagement, Kwame is committed to reimagining what health looks like in Black communities and creating a future where Black health is informed, protected, and prioritized.

Career Advice:

Detach yourself from the outcome and focus on the activity that gives you the best chance at your desired outcome. The fortune is in the follow-up—consistency, persistence, and staying engaged long after others stop is what sets you apart. Results follow those who keep showing up. Find your meaning and fulfillment in the activity—not the results.

Biography:

Bryce-Edward Weatherly, is a perfectly imperfect person, who has nonetheless “been there, done that” as a right-hand resource to chief executives and other higher-ups in corporate and academic environments alike (during times of relative crisis too).Among recent achievements at the University of Washington, Bryce-Edward led a leadership-advisory board on the value-adding potential of redefining institutional "culture" as including psychological safety; behavioral accountability; and other areas of our shared humanity. Earned experience, including lessons learned (the hard way) moving up the organizational hierarchy, has prepared Bryce-Edward to serve as a "chief of staff" to powers that be, as well as an adjunct teacher of professionals to be, with hope of a positive impact on both audiences.

Career Advice:

Know that everything you say and/or do as part of each and every interaction with others determines the present value of your "brand" as a professional (and a person), including your promotion and other prospects, within an organization.

Biography:

State Representative Shaun Scott of the 43rd Legislative District represents central Seattle neighborhoods including Capitol Hill, Downtown Seattle, South Lake Union, Eastlake, Wallingford, Fremont, University District, and more in the Washington State House of Representatives. A filmmaker, author, and labor organizer with a focus on progressive taxation, labor rights, housing and economic justice, as well as anti-poverty strategies — he helped pass Washington’s Working Families Tax Credit, capital gains tax, and a basic income pilot. In office since January 2025, Representative Scott serves as Vice Chair for the Labor & Workplace Standards Committee and on the Finance and Education committees. Rep. Scott has been active in Seattle’s Democratic Socialists of America since 2017 and is the first socialist elected to the Washington State Legislature in over a century.

Career Advice:

Biography:

DAVID ROUSSÈVE, is a choreographer/writer/director/performer, magna cum laude graduate of Princeton University and a Guggenheim Fellow. He is known for his dynamic, socially conscious dance/theater that uniquely blends contemporary dance, theater, and multimedia elements to create immersive and thought-provoking performances. His work draws inspiration from the stories of marginalized communities, as it explores complex themes related to identity, social justice, and human connection. Roussève founded the dance/theater company David Roussève/REALITY in 1988 in New York, and REALITY has since toured throughout the US, Europe, Great Britain and South America, including three commissions and four performance residencies at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Next Wave Festival and two commissions and three performance residencies at Jacob’s Pillow. Roussève’s most recent short film screened at 56 festivals in eleven countries and received ten awards, including four for “Best Film”. Other awards include a “Bessie”, Creative Capital Fellowship, three Horton Awards, Herb Alpert Award in the Arts and seven consecutive NEA Fellowships. Roussève is Distinguished Professor of Choreography in the department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance at UCLA where he has also served as Associate Dean, Acting Dean, and Interim Dean of the School of the Arts and Architecture.

Career Advice:

Follow your bliss, because that is what allows you to dream big and believe those dreams can transform into reality. 

Biography:

Prestin Artis is a dynamic and accomplished graduate of the University of Washington, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree with concentrations in Visual Communication Design, Architecture, and Philosophy. After just over a year at UW, he made the bold decision to walk onto the university’s track and field team—a choice that would redefine his future.

Despite starting as a walk-on, Prestin quickly rose through the ranks with unmatched determination and raw talent. He delivered one of the best long jump performances by a Husky in the past 15 years and played a key role in helping the team secure its first ever Pac-12 Championship title in 2023. His rise continued when he qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials the following year, earning a scholarship and solidifying his place as one of the most inspiring athletes in Husky history.

Career Advice:

Plan your work and work your plan. Your network doesn't have to be perfect in order to use it.

Biography:

Drebae, born DeAndre Clark, is a queer rapper whose raw lyricism and bold presence have cemented him as a rising voice within the LGBTQ+ music scene. He first gained major recognition with his debut performance at San Francisco Pride alongside R&B artist Kehlani, where he performed his single Elegant—a track that has since surpassed one million streams. In 2018, Drebae collaborated with Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion on the track No Pressure, showcasing his ability to hold his own alongside mainstream hip-hop heavyweights while staying true to his unique style and message. Drebae's work is deeply personal and intentional. His debut album, Work of Art, serves as a sonic diary that unpacks his battles with depression and the isolation he has experienced as a Black queer man. The album’s cover, which features damaged arms reminiscent of broken Greek statues, is a visual metaphor for surviving hardship and reclaiming beauty through vulnerability. Standout tracks like Lonely confront the staggering suicide rates among Black LGBTQ+ youth, bringing awareness to mental health struggles too often overlooked. Drawing inspiration from Renaissance art and classical sculpture, Drebae weaves themes of resilience, identity, and artistic transformation into his music. His artistry offers more than entertainment—it offers solidarity, visibility, and healing. With his growing platform and fearless authenticity, Drebae continues to reshape the narrative of what it means to be a queer rapper today.

Career Advice:

Make sure that you remain true to yourself. When you’re authentic there is no image to maintain. People will say you can’t do it, but that’s because they’ve never seen someone like YOU do it. Be dedicated, be consistent, and be present. Use your community, resources, and job to fund your dream. Overtime your hard work will pay off. You have to want it. Confidence connects with people when you are being you, and being confident while doing so, you will find your people.

Biography:

Dr. Sarah Adeyinka-Skold is an assistant professor of Sociology at Loyola Marymount University. She earned her sociology doctoral degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Her research focuses on how the processes of relationship formation in the United States reveals racism, sexism, and heteroarchy. Her work has been published in academic forums such as the DuBois Review and Sociology of Race and Ethnicity. Dr. Sarah’s work has also sparked the interest of non-academic venues and popular media figures interested in Black women’s experiences. She has entered the conversation with this audience in notable ways. Her research about dating in the digital age debuted in the Philadelphia Inquirer the city’s largest newspaper. She has also been a featured guest and the Laverne Cox Show and Therapy for Black Girls podcasts.

Career Advice:

You are enough!

Biography:

Julia grew up in Seattle as the Black and bi-racial daughter of two public school educators who taught her the importance of public service, empathy, hard work and collective action. She attended Summit K-12 and Holy Names Academy, and holds a BA from Smith College and an MPA from Princeton University’s School for Public and International Affairs.After college, Julia served in the Obama administration, where she worked with the State Department and the Office of Management and Budget. She has worked at the federal level on issues ranging from advancing the Israel-Palestine peace process to building a 21st century government workforce. When she returned to Seattle, she served as a senior policy advisor to the mayor, helping to create a community college internship pipeline for Seattle Promise scholars and connecting them to job opportunities with some of the city’s leading employers. She also led a redesign of the city’s youth employment system and worked to reform the Workforce Development Council.Today, Julia consults with businesses, school districts, and nonprofits on racial equity, workforce, and economic development issues. She is committed to expanding the skilled workforce Washington needs, with a focus on uplifting underrepresented communities and providing pathways for youth. Julia is also a strong supporter of the arts and the creative economy. As a former member of the Sea Scouts, Julia works hard to uplift the needs of Washington’s maritime industries.

Career Advice:

In whatever you do, fight to hold on to your definition of yourself, who you are at your core. Don’t let other people’s definition of you override who you decide you are and who you want to be. And prioritize care of your physical, mental, and spiritual health — that’s what will give you balance and clarity and peace with your decision making and show you the way you want to go.

Biography:

Michelle Purnell-Hepburn serves as the Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, joining Foster in December 2022. In 2021, the Consulting and Business Development Center and Dean Emeritus William D. Bradford recruited her to create and teach the course, “Impact Business Lending: The Power of Access”, due to her extensive years in the banking and credit union industry. Ms. Purnell-Hepburn is an alum of the Foster School earning her B. A. in Finance and Business Economics and her M.B.A. in Finance and Accounting. She went on to graduate from Western CUNA Management School at Pomona College achieving High Honors and earned her Certified Chief Executive [CCE] designation.In her role, Ms. Purnell-Hepburn’s responsibilities encompass leading efforts to incorporate an inclusion, diversity, equity, and belonging perspective into every decision we make at the Foster School. Applying evidence-based practices, building relationships, and innovation to develop and execute programs and strategies to amplify the School’s purpose statement by working with the Undergraduate and Graduate Diversity Services Teams, Foster Staff, the Executive Director and Faculty Advisor of the Consulting and Business Development Center, the Faculty Diversity Team, Advancement, and Foster’s Resource Support Groups. The Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity also engages in strategic planning, program and policy development, outreach, recruitment, and training.

Career Advice:

“Focus on what you want, not what you think you can have. The universe is abundant.”

Biography:

Born in Phoenix to an entrepreneur and healthcare professional, Brandon has always had a passion for fine homes, interior design, and architecture. He says, "I distinctly remember going to the grocery store with my mother as a child and taking all of the free real estate magazines, I would analyze every home and circle the homes that I would dream of one day purchasing." The strong passion for real estate would materialize later in life. As life progressed, Brandon fell in love with the arts and studied as a classical musician and dancer, performing multiple seasons as a principal dancer for the NBA/WNBA. Brandon has worked for over 15 years in the private health insurance industry for Fortune-ranked companies, beginning in customer service and working his way through the ranks to upper management by his early twenties. Tasked daily with coaching, empowering and creating a positive culture for a team of twenty plus members, as well being a subject matter expert for company products, Brandon learned to be quick on his toes and think outside the box to maintain consumer/client satisfaction. In 2010, Brandon relocated to Los Angeles, where his passion for real estate was reignited. He began to study the various city neighborhoods and what makes each unique as far as market value, architectural styles, and proximity to the amenities of Los Angeles. Brandon's commitment to his client's satisfaction is the fuel for his business. "My interactions with my clients aren't transactional. For most people, a purchase is also an emotional investment, and you manage emotions by communicating realistic expectations, which then builds trust." When not servicing his clients, Brandon enjoys tennis, fashion, traveling with friends, and returning home to Arizona to visit family.

Career Advice:

Your Blackness is your superpower.