October 9-11, 2025 | Washington DC | Marriott Marquis

Celebrate 50 years of impact with the Association of Black Cardiologists! This unforgettable weekend will honor ABC’s legacy and future under the theme Advancing Heart Health in Every Community—bringing together changemakers, partners, and pioneers for three days of inspiration, connection, and celebration. From thought-provoking forums to a black-tie gala filled with powerful moments, join us as we elevate bold solutions and reimagine the future of cardiovascular equity. Let’s make history—together.

Schedule of Events

This national convening will bring together clinical experts, researchers, policymakers, national advocacy organizations, individuals with lived experience, and community-based leaders to assess progress and re-energize efforts to address maternal cardiovascular health across the life course. Building on the recommendations that emerged from ABC’s landmark roundtable held five years ago, this forum will focus on generational health and prevention strategies—from early risk identification and preconception health to postpartum care and long-term wellness.

Participants will engage in solution-driven dialogue through panels and breakout sessions, working to co-design strategies that can reduce maternal risk and improve outcomes across diverse communities. A professionally produced summary report will document shared insights and inform future ABC-led initiatives, advocacy, and collaborations.

This national forum will convene leaders across healthcare, government, industry, professional societies, national advocacy organizations, and community-based coalitions to advance policy-driven solutions that address persistent gaps in cardiovascular access, treatment, and prevention. The 2025 agenda will focus on pressing challenges such as cardiology deserts, access to evidence-based therapies, and the use of technology and data to improve early detection and care delivery. Discussions will also explore how trusted messengers—including policymakers, clinicians, and public figures can elevate awareness, build trust, and drive measurable change. A post-summit Cardiovascular Health Access & Innovation Policy Report will capture key strategies and guide ABC’s ongoing advocacy and implementation efforts.

This pathway program provides high school and undergraduate students—particularly those historically underrepresented in science and medicine—with early exposure to cardiovascular careers and mentorship from leading professionals.

This elegant black-tie event will celebrate ABC’s enduring mission and the people who have brought it to life—from physicians and patients to partners, advocates, and community voices. The evening will feature storytelling, music, and special performances, reflecting on the past 50 years while inspiring momentum for the next 50. As part of the celebration, ABC will also elevate the next generation of changemakers—highlighting students whose passion and promise represent the future of cardiovascular health equity. It will be an unforgettable tribute to the legacy and future of ABC.

Entertainment

Thomas Cunningham IV

Thomas Cunningham IV is a 30-year veteran as a producer of television and live events across the globe. He has coordinated and produced programs for Black Entertainment Television (BET), as well as the Zain Africa Challenge, which aired in eight countries across the continent. As a manager for Montell Jordan, he coordinated tours nationwide and abroad.

With the emergence of digital media, he found himself tapped as a frequent contributor to HuffPost Live, where he logged more than 60 appearances. He has appeared on TV One’s Unsung, and brought his baritone voice to the drama To Hell and Back on the same network.

Cunningham graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism from Florida A&M University. His writing has appeared in a number of national publications on a wide range of creative and political topics. He was honored to lend his design acumen as editor of his fraternity’s national publication, The Kappa Alpha Psi Journal. He also advises non-profits on digital and web branding.
Launched in 2020, Cunningham co-hosts a weekly podcast centered on current events and political commentary from an unapologetically Black perspective called Steel Sharpens Steel. He is developing several new projects, including: a reality program, a short film based on one of his stories, and a pilot his team hopes to bring to air in the near future.

Thomas Cunningham IV

Emcee - Click here to read bio

Dr. Jayne Morgan

Dr. Jayne Morgan is an accomplished Cardiologist and Vice President of Medical Affairs at Hello Heart, with a strong focus on Women’s Health. As a recognized medical expert, she also provides frequent on-air medical analysis for CNN. With extensive experience in cardiovascular research, she is a recognized advocate for health equity, particularly in increasing minority participation in clinical trials. Dr. Morgan has held leadership positions at Piedmont HealthCare, where she led community health education efforts and the Covid Task Force. As the sole Cardiology advisor on the research team at AbbVie (formerly Abbott Labs), Dr. Morgan made a groundbreaking contribution to the development of the Mitraclip, a minimally invasive device for treating mitral valve regurgitation. Moreover, she has published multiple studies on cardiology and Covid-19.

Dr. Morgan is also well known for her award winning social media series, The Stairwell Chronicles, which provides accessible medical information in an easy to understand format. Further, Dr. Morgan has been named to the Top 500 Most Powerful Leaders in Atlanta for 2 years in a row, and has been acknowledged with numerous other accolades, including the NAACP Award, the National Women’s Empowerment Award, the GA Bio Award, the American Heart Association Metro Atlanta Award, Medical Association of GA Humanitarian Award, the Atlanta Business Chronicle, just to name a few. She holds an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine role at The Morehouse School of Medicine and serves on various advisory boards and Steering Committees, including Pfizer and Novartis. Her pioneering work in cardiovascular research, clinical trials, and women’s health has made her a respected voice in the medical community.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Morgan is also a certified Pilates instructor, promoting overall health and wellness in and out of the clinic.

Dr. Jayne Morgan

Emcee - Click here to read bio

Craig Alston

Craig Alston is Baltimore born and based multi-instrumentalist and composer specializing in woodwind, brasswind, keyboard and bass guitar in genres such as jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, hip hop and gospel. He is best known for his complex yet soulful sound on the saxophone. Craig has performed with notable musicians such as Lee Ritenour, Earl Klugh, Jonathan Butler, Brian Culbertson, Najee, Norman Brown Frank McComb, Dennis Chambers, Eric Robeson and Larry Willis; legendary groups such as the O’Jays, The Temptations and The Four Tops; as well as Soulful Symphony and the Cab Calloway Orchestra. He was the saxophonist for Fertile Ground and lead the Eubie Blake Legacy Band for over 7 years. Craig’s talent has enabled him to travel throughout the United States, UK, Japan, Belgium, France, Croatia and Austria. He has been featured in DC Jazz Festival, the African American Heritage Festival (MD), Artscape (MD) and the Drum Rhythm Festival (Holland). He is endorsed by Antigua Winds Saxophone, Legere Reeds and Theo Wanne Mouthpieces. Craig received the 2013 Jazz Journalists Jazz Heroes Award and was the winner of the 2011 Chick Webb Jazz Combo Competition. He is currently a Musical Director for multiple independent artists, a clinician and the woodwind teacher for OrchKids. Craig attended Morgan State University, majoring in music education. He would like to one day open a music school or cultural arts center in the Baltimore metropolitan area.

Craig Alston

Jazz Ensemble - Click here to read bio

Howard Gospel Choir

Founded in the fall of 1968 by Melanie Russell (Lee) and Rosalind Thompkins (Lynch), the Howard Gospel Choir (HGC) of Howard University is the first collegiate choir of its kind in the world. As a result, HGC has pioneered an international legacy in gospel music ministry. With an active roster of seventy-plus persons that consists of students and alumni from Howard University, as well as others from the surrounding community, the choir is one of the largest religious life organizations on campus, operating under the historic Andrew Rankin Memorial Chapel. The Dean of the Chapel, the Reverend Dr. Bernard Richardson serves as the choir’s advisor.

In addition to distinguished professionals in every imaginable discipline, past members of this award-winning ensemble include Grammy Award winners Richard Smallwood, Coré Cotton (member of Sounds of Blackness), and Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark of the legendary Clark Sisters, as well as R&B star Ángela Winbush. Exceptional musicians have always been instrumental in shaping HGC’s unique sound to embrace both contemporary and traditional gospel, church hymns, Negro spirituals and classically arranged anthems. For twenty-five years, the late Arphelius Paul Gatling, III served as the Musical Director. He is largely responsible for crafting the unique sound of the choir.

For almost five decades, the Howard Gospel Choir has set a very high standard as a premier performing arts ensemble, singing at a wide variety of venues in and around the Greater Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Area including: The White House, the Capitol Building, DAR Constitution Hall, Washington National Cathedral, and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. Most recently, HGC was one of the featured artists to perform for both the 2016 and the 2017 Kennedy Center Honors, and was also as a part of ABC Television’s Emmy Award winning special Taking the Stage which celebrated the grand opening of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. The choir has also been blessed to receive both national exposure, having appeared from coast to coast within the continental United States, and international exposure, having served as cultural ambassadors to more than twenty countries throughout Europe and the Americas. In additional to headlining numerous high-profile concerts in a variety of venues, they have participated in other cultural exchange activities and have conducted master classes discussing various vocal exercises and the history of Gospel Music.

In 2016, the choir released their latest full-length album entitled Glorious God. The CD is a diverse collective of musical offerings that reflect their musical legacy. In addition to remaining on the Top 30 Charts for national sales and radio airplay in Gospel music for more than ten weeks, this critically acclaimed album was nominated for two 2017 Stellar Awards, four Rhythm of Gospel Awards and a Steeple Award.

From the outset, the Howard Gospel Choir has been in constant demand, and has been blessed to share the stage with a number of musical luminaries including Barry Manilow, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Fantasia, and Patti LaBelle. Additionally, HGC has performed at functions that have featured prominent political, religious and public figures such as President Barack Hussein Obama, Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr., the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and the Reverend Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright, Jr.

Notwithstanding the legacy of excellence and the vast accomplishments since its inception, the main objective remains the same: to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ through song. Our purpose and passion is to serve Christ with our musical gifts bringing peace, restoration, healing and inspiration to all who will lend their ears and hearts. The choir is currently under the musical direction of Reginald Golden, a Howard University graduate from University Heights, OH. Darrell Brown, also a Howard University alumnus, is the assistant director.

Howard Gospel Choir

Gospel Choir - Click here to learn more

AffinitiNYC

AffinitiNYC is a Top Tier Special Events Band, specializing in Curated Playlists designed to bring into fruition the Clients Vision for their Special Event. Our expertise is Versatile, HIGH ENERGY, EXTRA CLASSY, Pleasingly Edgy, HEARTFELT, musical performance. Our LOVE of music and our desire to spread LOVE through the vehicle of music is our passion and Mission. The AffinitiNYC Administration Team meets with clients personally taking them effortlessly through their musical journey exploding into Fun Filled, Memorable Events to last a Lifetime. Our Goal is to alleviate the stress factor and increase the Fun factor from the moment we meet with clients.

AffinitiNYC

Click Here to Read Bio

the venue

Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, is a stylish hotel in Washington, DC, steps from Penn Quarter, Mt. Vernon Square and the Metro. The hotel is 4.6 miles from Washington National Airport (DCA).

The Marriott Marquis Washington, DC, is designed for the global traveler. Located within walking distance of historic attractions and exciting nightlife, uncover the allure of the City Center. Stroll to Mt. Vernon Square, the National Mall, famous shopping and other sites in the downtown DC area. The nightlife is never far from Massachusetts Ave NW thanks to our on-site restaurants and bars at trendy Lobby Lounge, The Dignitary, a DC hot spot, or Anthem, our retro diner. 

Hotel Reservations

Please note, the hotel block closed on September 15th. Should you require a new hotel reservation, based on availability, you may send a request to dbrooking@abcardio.org .

Mark Your Calendar

October 9-11, 2025 | Washington D.C. | Marriott Marquis

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