Better Health, Brotherhood, and Brunch
Ready to discuss men's health?
Join the NAACP Center for Health Equity and the Emerging 100 of Atlanta for a critical and compelling discussion at The Gathering Spot for an exclusive health and wellness brunch designed for men in the Atlanta community and beyond. This isn't just a meal – it's a space for Brothers to have open dialogue about one of the most important issues that can sometimes be overlooked – health.
Join the Discussion
Brunch Reception starts at 11:00 AM ET; Program begins at 12:00 PM ET
This discussion will feature prominent voices in industry, local community leaders, and national voices to address pressing health concerns, discuss preventive care, and provide actionable strategies for improving mental and physical well-being. Come ready to engage, connect, and elevate the conversation around men's health in a candid, supportive, and informative environment.
Meet Our Speakers
Dr.Tony Price
Senior Fellow, Center for Health Equity, NAACP
Tony serves as the Senior Fellow within the Center for Health Equity at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, where he leads national initiatives aimed at eliminating health disparities and advancing health equity. In this role, Tony provides strategic leadership on key projects and leverages his expertise in chronic disease prevention, exercise, and physical activity to support healthier outcomes in historically underserved communities.
Prior to joining the NAACP, Tony was a Senior Research Associate at the Georgia Health Policy Center, where he served as the Technical Assistance Lead for projects supported by the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy. There, he provided guidance to rural communities across the U.S. to enhance capacity and improve health outcomes through innovative, community-centered approaches.
Tony is passionate about collaboration and connection, often acting as a bridge between partners and resources to maximize impact. He currently serves as a member of the Georgia State University Alumni Association Board of Directors and as the Strategic Advisor - Mission Delivery and member on the national Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion committee for the Arthritis Foundation. He is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), committed to advancing accessible and inclusive health education.
Tony is a "Triple Panther," holding a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH), Master's degree in Exercise Physiology, and a Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science all from Georgia State University. As part of a military family growing up, Tony was raised on bases from Okinawa to Warner Robins, but has found roots as an Atlanta resident since moving here for college.
Dr. Matthew Igbinigie (Dr. Iggy)
Orthopedic Surgeon, Neuro Spine
Dr. Matthew Igbinigie is a graduate of the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery residency training at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, Texas — the very hospital where he was born. Subsequently, he completed his Spine Surgery fellowship at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Igbinigie currently practices in Atlanta, Georgia, specializing in advanced spine, musculoskeletal, and pain conditions.
Dr. Igbinigie's primary clinical focus is on providing comprehensive care for patients with spinal disorders through both conservative and minimally invasive approaches. His goal is to restore function, alleviate pain, and help patients return to the activities that give their lives meaning. He is also deeply committed to mentorship and community impact, serving as the founder of Dr. Iggy & Associates, a platform dedicated to guiding future physicians and empowering underserved communities through medical education, faith, and advocacy.
When he is not treating patients, Dr. Igbinigie enjoys creating engaging educational and lifestyle content for his social media community, playing basketball, traveling, working out, spending time with family, and exploring his passions in faith, mentorship, and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Bryan O. Buckley
Head of Public Health, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield
Bryan O. Buckley, DrPH, MPH, MBA, CPCHE, ACC, is a leader focused on health and system-oriented approaches. As the Head of Public Health at CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Dr. Buckley spearheads the strategy for advancing and achieving better health outcomes for the people and communities in Maryland, the District of Columbia, and the Northern Virginia regions. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Georgetown University, mentoring graduate students in community partnerships and change management. With over 15 years of experience, Dr. Buckley is a dedicated public health practitioner who blends frontline experience with educational insights, leading transformational initiatives in organizational development, process improvement, health delivery system redesign, performance improvement, and change management.
Dr. Buckley's academic credentials include a Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, focusing on management, strategy, and organizational change. Additionally, he earned an Executive MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology, a BS in Microbiology, and an MPH with a concentration in Infectious Diseases and Administration from Michigan State University. As a certified ICF coach, Dr. Buckley is deeply involved in public health leadership, serving as a former Executive Board Member at the American Public Health Association and on the National Board of Creating Healthier Communities. Locally, he contributes as a Board Member of the American Heart Association's
Greater Washington Region and Food & Friends, showcasing his commitment to community health and well-being.
Dr. Darrell Gray, II
Co-Founder, ABGH President and CEO, Wellpoint Maryland
Darrell M. Gray II, MD, MPH serves as President and CEO of Wellpoint Maryland, the state's largest Medicaid managed care organization and a wholly owned subsidiary of Elevance Health. In this role, Dr. Gray is responsible for advancing access to high-quality care, delivering an exceptional member experience, and driving equitable, whole-person health outcomes for Wellpoint's members.
Before joining Elevance Health, Dr. Gray was an Associate Professor of Medicine at The Ohio State University, where he practiced as a gastroenterologist and served as Medical Director of Healthy Communities for The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
Dr. Gray is a co-founder of the Association of Black Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists and serves on the Founding Advisory Board of the Meharry School of Global Health. He is widely published in leading medical journals, including The New England Journal of Medicine, Nature Reviews, The Lancet, and Cancer, and has been featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, USA Today, and Forbes. His honors include the National Minority Quality Forum's 40 Under 40 Leader in Minority Health Award, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Health Equity and Awareness Award, and the Healio Disruptive Innovators Health Equity Award.
Curtis Peoples, Jr
Physician Associate, Resurgens Orthopedics
Curtis Peoples, Jr is a Physician Associate with over 10 years of experience in orthopedic spine surgery, specializing in spine care and sports medicine. He is a proud graduate of Alabama A&M University and Hofstra University. Curtis practices with one of the largest and leading orthopedic groups in the region, where he provides comprehensive care for patients with a wide range of spinal conditions, from sports-related injuries to complex chronic spine disorders.
Curtis is deeply committed to a holistic approach to health, recognizing that mental health is an essential component of overall wellness — particularly for individuals living with chronic pain. His approach to care emphasizes compassion, education, and evidence-based treatment strategies that address both the physical and psychological challenges of long-term pain. Through patient advocacy, community engagement, and health education, Curtis is passionate about empowering individuals to take an active role in their health and recovery.
David Means
President, Atlanta NAACP
David Means is a visionary businessman, investor, activist, and humanitarian with decades of leadership and entrepreneurial experience. He launched his first company in his early 20s and brings more than 40 years of expertise in construction, along with a well-established real estate portfolio.
A committed global humanitarian, Mr. Means has helped build a church in Uganda, sponsors 100 youth in the village of Bugembe, and supports community development initiatives in Jamaica. His dedication to service extends to his long-standing involvement with the NAACP, which he joined in 2006. Over the years, he has held several key leadership roles, including Georgia NAACP State Chairman of Criminal Justice.
On May 31, 2025, Mr. Means was elected President of the ATL NAACP Branch. With more than 19 years of service, he is deeply committed to restoring the ATL NAACP as the nation's premier branch through strong leadership, unity, and economic empowerment.
Dr. Chris Pernell
Director, Center for Health Equity
Dr. Chris T. Pernell is a dynamic physician leader and social change agent. In her practice, she focuses on health justice, community-based advocacy, and population-wide health promotion and disease prevention. A celebrated visionary and apostle of public health, Dr. Chris serves as the Director of the NAACP Center for Health Equity. The Center is charged with driving equitable health outcomes and transforming healthcare systems while valuing the whole person.
Prior to joining the nation's oldest and most venerable civil rights organization, she launched The Esther Group, a public health consulting and health equity strategy firm. As founder of The Esther Group, she lives the mandate to dare a future where organizations, communities and systems can innovate for a better world and humanity.
Previously, she served as the first Chief Strategic Integration and Health Equity Officer at University Hospital in Newark, New Jersey, and led the 1199SEIU Labor Management Project Workplace and Community Health Program.
Dr. Pernell is a fellow and Regent-at-Large for the American College of Preventive Medicine.