Shantelle Leatherwood is the President/Owner of Leatherwood Coaching and Consulting (LC2) whose mission is to equip Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and women in leadership as well as ministry to impact the lives of their teams, customers, and communities. Shantelle has worked in health care for over thirty-three years with twenty-four of those years serving at Christ Community Health Services, Inc. During her time at Christ Community, Shantelle worked her way through the ranks from Administrative Assistant to Chief Executive Officer. She gained extensive knowledge of all aspects of the organization from front-desk operations, customer service, billing and revenue cycle, compliance and quality, health center operational efficiency, new program development including health center expansion and service-line expansion, strategic planning, board oversight and governance, federal grants management, value-based health care implementation, among other things. Under her leadership, the organization provided over 80,000 COVID tests and 17,000 vaccines across West Tennessee in partnership with the City, County, and State; patients grew by 20% and the annual budget increased by 63%, making the organization the second-largest FQHC in the surrounding area.

Shantelle holds a Bachelor’s in Health Administration and Planning from Tennessee State University (1995) and a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Missouri-Columbia (1997). She completed a Post-Graduate Fellowship from the Family Health Center in Columbia, MO (1997-1998). She is also a Certified John Maxwell Leadership Coach. Shantelle has served on numerous Councils and Boards including the Tennessee Primary Care Association Board of Directors where she served as the Board Chair and the Executive Committee and the Christian Community Health Fellowship Board of Directors where she also served on the Executive Committee. She has received numerous honors including the 2009 George Washington, School of Public Health’s Geiger Gibson Emerging Leader award, was selected for the 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 Memphis Business Journal’s Power 100 List, and was selected as one of the 2021 Memphis Business Journal’s “Women Who Lead in Health Care”, selected as a 2022 City of Memphis Martin Luther King, Jr. Luminary Awardee and selected by the Memphis Grizzlies as a 2024 HBCU Empowerment Awardee.

Shantelle is married to Charles Leatherwood and has two children, Alexis Leatherwood (18) and Christopher Leatherwood (15). She is also a member of Bellevue Baptist Church in Memphis,

Cassandra C. Jackson has over 25 years of experience in counseling, higher education, non-profits, and human resources, empowering families, students, communities, and employees. She has served as a Counselor and Career Counselor at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a Counseling Supervisor at Temple University, and a therapist in the inner-city of Philadelphia. In human resources, she worked as a Human Manager at San Mateo County Community District and Director of Human Resources at Esperanza Health Center, a faith-based federally qualified health center.

Currently, she is a Guidance and College Counselor at a Catholic school in Mountain View, CA, assisting students with personal, academic, and college admissions guidance. Cassandra also worked as a Consultant for Bay Area Community Health Council developing curriculum and programming focusing on resilience and mental wellness; now she serves as a Program Manager for the African American Community Assessment Project, a project funded by the San Mateo County of Behavioral Services.

She holds a B.S. in Psychology from Xavier University, an M.A. in Educational Counseling Psychology from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and various certifications in counseling and HR management. She resides in San Leandro, CA, with her husband (Anthony) of 27 years and their three children, actively serving her church and community. She is a member of Resurrection Oakland Church, in Oakland, CA, where she serves as a leader of the Prayer Ministry and a community group leader. Cassandra is passionate about training, counseling, and developing impactful programs.

Ministers Stephen & Gia Thornton are a distinguished couple, divinely chosen to spearhead the Music Ministry. Their journey began many years ago, inspired by a shared passion for music and a deep, abiding faith. United in both matrimony and mission, they have dedicated their lives to serving through the power of song and worship.

Early Life and Background
Stephen and Gia were both raised in families, where the love for education, diverse forms of art & music was cultivated from a young age. Stephen, an accomplished pianist, found his calling in composing, arranging, teaching, and directing music. Gia, gifted with a beautiful voice, discovered her talent for both training artists in ministry and leading worship – inspiring congregations through song at a young age, through her parents’ example.

Ministry Beginnings
The Thorntons met in college while both working for a summer fine arts camp at Fort Valley State University. Their connection was instant as friends, and over time their relationship blossomed into something more. Recognizing their shared passions, love for God, and their unique yet complimentary personalities, their courtship eventually led to marriage, now working in music ministry together. Their unique blend of talents has garnered much recognition, allowing them to reach larger audiences and touch countless lives for Christ. To their blissful union, the have borne and are raising two beautiful and tenacious daughters: Eden Olivia Thornton, and Cadence Elizabeth Thornton.

Mission and Vision
The core of Stephen and Gia’s ministry is to bring people closer to God through music. They believe that music is a universal language that transcends barriers and speaks directly to the soul. Their vision is to create a holy and transformative worship atmosphere where everyone and anyone, can experience and encounter Jesus.

Achievements and Impact
Throughout their ministry, Stephen and Gia have written numerous songs yet to be released to the public, each reflecting their commitment to excellence and spiritual enrichment. Their ministry of music has been instrumental in bringing healing and hope to many. Stephen and Gia continue to lead worship at their local church, Bibb-Mount Zion Baptist Church (Macon, GA) under the pastorate of Paul Little II, and travel internationally, conducting workshops and gatherings of Christ focused worship. Their dedication to their craft and faith shines brightly, making them beloved figures in the music ministry community. Through their unwavering devotion and exceptional talent, Ministers Stephen & Gia Thornton exemplify what it means to be true servants of God, using their gifts to make a meaningful impact in the world.

Melody Alisa is a  Bible Teacher, Speaker, Online Encourager, and founder of For His Glory Ministries, where she equips women to see God’s purpose in every season of their lives. With a heart for teaching Scripture in a way that’s honest, practical, and personal, Melody creates space for women to wrestle well with their faith and walk closely with God. Whether through live Bible studies, devotional resources, or her presence online, she’s passionate about helping women grow in biblical understanding and spiritual confidence—right where they are.

Lakina Bembry is a licensed minister, passionate evangelist, and strategic leader devoted to bringing hope, healing, and truth through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Rooted in Isaiah 61, her ministry focuses on reaching the brokenhearted, guiding the lost, and equipping believers to live in the fullness of their calling.

A faithful member of Beulahland Bible Church for over 20 years, Lakina has served diligently in the Youth Girls’ Ministry, Music Ministry, and life group leadership. In 2024, she was officially licensed into ministry. She currently serves on the Beulahland Steering Committee, where she helps shape the church’s mission with intentionality and strategic vision.

Her influence extends into the community as well. Lakina serves as Chaplain of her local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where she provides spiritual encouragement, prayerful covering, and Christ-centered mentorship to her sorority sisters. She exemplifies the heart of a servant-leader—graceful, wise, and unwavering in her faith.

Beyond the church walls, Lakina brings over two decades of distinguished civilian leadership in the U.S. Air Force, where she held high-impact roles in systems engineering, strategic planning, and organizational transformation. Her ability to navigate complex environments while remaining grounded in faith makes her a compelling voice in both sacred and secular spaces.

With a unique gift for weaving together biblical truth, real-life experience, and Spirit-led vision, Lakina inspires transformation wherever she goes. Whether in the pulpit, on a platform, or in personal conversation, she carries a message that ignites faith, restores hope, and draws the weary back to the heart of God. Her mission remains clear: to glorify God and lead others into deeper relationship with Him. Her life is a testament that true ministry is not confined to the pulpit—but lived daily with integrity, love, and the power of the Holy Spirit.