BDHEA National Summit to Assemble Leaders and Power Bold Action on Health Equity

The Summit will bring together Board Directors and senior leaders to discuss and address major challenges facing healthcare in America.

CHICAGO, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Black Directors Health Equity Agenda (BDHEA) will address the nation's critical health equity disparities during its 2025 National Summit in Nashville, Tenn., on October 13–14, in partnership with Meharry Medical College School of Global Health. The two-day conference will bring together hundreds of Board Directors, CEOs, and executives, as well as policymakers, funders, and healthcare innovators discussing methods aimed at closing health gaps and advancing equity at scale. The Summit will spotlight strategies that address pressing national health challenges, including persistent inequities in access and outcomes, looming staff shortages, and the challenges and potential posed by artificial intelligence in healthcare delivery. Community health leaders, venture capital and private equity investors, foundation executives, and medical educators will lead interactive sessions addressing the challenges and opportunities across the healthcare landscape.

"Healthcare organizations face intense financial, workforce, and policy headwinds," said BDHEA Executive Director Deborah Phillips. "By equipping leaders with proven strategies and practical tools, the 2025 BDHEA National Summit will be a catalyst for stronger governance, resource innovation, and better health for all."

The Summit is themed "Innovating for Impact: Bold Strategies, Breakthrough Solutions, and Powerful Collaborations," and includes sessions exploring shifting economic, policy, and social realities; how AI is reshaping healthcare delivery, including issues of bias and governance; and aligning financial strategies among healthcare leaders, investors, and payors. Attendees will have the opportunity for breakout discussions and networking, and entry includes a one-year membership to the BDHEA. 

Founded in 2020, the BDHEA is the only national platform led by Black board directors and senior healthcare executives dedicated to eliminating disparities through leadership at the governance level. Its recent successes include developing a first-of-its-kind Health Equity Toolkit with playbooks and resources addressing Governance; Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG); Decarbonization; and Community Health. Additionally, the BDHEA has forged alliances and partnerships with organizations including the American Hospital Association, Deloitte, and EY.

"The scope of the BDHEA's interest, from health equity and health policy to innovation in healthcare, speaks to the future of making all humanity whole," said James E.K. Hildreth, Ph.D., M.D., President and CEO of Meharry Medical College. "The BDHEA's commitment to a healthier world for everyone aligns with Meharry's 150-year-old mission, and we are proud to be a leader in that enterprise."

Phillips added: "Participants will leave this Summit not just inspired, but equipped—with new governance strategies, connections, and practical solutions that can be implemented immediately."

Registration is $950 and includes a one-year BDHEA membership. The summit will take place at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Healthcare leaders, board directors, and students can register at BDHEA.org/events.

About BDHEA
The Black Directors Health Equity Agenda (BDHEA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and the first and only national entity led by Black board directors and senior healthcare executives committed to eliminating health disparities through governance leadership. It seeks to expand its more than 600 members and over $7 million in funding. Through national convenings, toolkits, and policy advocacy, the BDHEA equips leaders to translate data into action and boardrooms into engines for equity. Its flagship resources—including the Directors Playbook and Health Equity Toolkits—support governance strategies that drive measurable, lasting change. Learn more at BDHEA.org.

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SOURCE Black Directors Health Equity Agenda