2024 BLACK HISTORY FEST SPEAKERS
Keynote Speaker
Honorable Ventris C. Gibson
In 2022, the President of the United States nominated, and the Senate unanimously confirmed, the Honorable Ventris C. Gibson as the 40th Director of the United States Mint. She is the first African American to lead the U.S. Mint which is the largest Mint in the world. She served as its Deputy Director prior to her presidential appointment. Director Gibson is a U.S. Navy Veteran, joining the Mint from District of Columbia Government. Prior to her service with the District, she served as the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and also as the Director of Administration for the National Labor Relations Board.
Speaker
Dr. Calvin Ball
Dr. Calvin Ball is a Maryland native and resident of Columbia for over 20 years.
He made history in 2006 when he was elected as the youngest Council Chairperson in Howard County history. He made history again in 2018 by becoming the first African American to be elected as Howard County Executive.
Re-elected in 2022, Dr. Ball remains dedicated to ensuring our communities are safe, strong, and accessible for all. Howard County continues to be a regional and national leader, as County Executive Ball continues to champion education, environmental conservation, the health and well-being of our residents, investments in public safety and fiscal responsibility.
Speaker
Dr. C. Vernon Gray
Dr. Vernon Gray has taught at Philander Smith College, Little Rock, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, Howard University, Goucher College, UMBC, UMCP and Morgan State University for 40 years, where he Chair the Department of Political Science. Dr. Gray is former Director of Research at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies. He has been a member of the National Research Council and consultant in the U.S. State Department. Dr. Gray was the first Black elected in Howard County. He ran countywide at the time the County was 88% White and 12% Black. He served 20 years on the Howard County Council.
Speaker
Dr. Kisha N. Davis
Dr. Kisha Davis is a family physician and the Chief Health Officer for Montgomery County Maryland. She currently serves on the Board of the American Academy of Family Physicians. Her previous roles include Vice President of Health Equity at Aledade, Medical Director of Casey Health Institute (CHI), and primary care physician at Chase Brexton in Columbia. Dr. Davis served as a White House Fellow in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Speaker
Don Quinn
Don Quinn is the founding partner of Quinn Patton, a civil rights and employment law firm serving the residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia. Don represents clients before the Maryland Commission for Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the District of Columbia Commission on Human Rights, the Federal District Court of Maryland, and the Federal District Court for the District of Columbia in addition to State Courts.
Speaker
Elizabeth Leiba
Elizabeth Leiba is a writer, college professor, and advocate for Black business women.
Her passion for Black history changed her life and catapulted her into a fulfilling line of work as a powerful advocate of social justice and equity for Black women, especially Black business women. Elizabeth strives to create resources which support, empower, and amplify Black business women and their businesses. She was featured in the 2020 New York Times article, “Black LinkedIn Is Thriving. Does LinkedIn Have a Problem With That?,” which highlighted her social justice advocacy work.