The NBLIC III Steering Committee is comprised of several cancer control experts and clinicians. They work along with Dr. David Satcher - Director, Center of Excellence on Health Disparities Poussaint-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health, and NBLIC III Principal Investigator, to provide general oversight and direction for the Project.

Members of the Steering Committee are among the most prestigious and respected healthcare leaders in the United States. They include:

  • Ernest Alemah-Mensah, MS, DMin
    Project Director, Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Community Health/Preventive Medicine/NBLIC III Data Manager
  • Funmi Apantaku, MA
    NBLIC III Midwestern Regional Research Director
  • Daniel Blumenthal, MD, MPH
    Chair, Morehouse School of Medicine Department of Community Health/Preventive Medicine/NBLIC III Co-Principal Investigator
  • Courtney Bowen
    Director, Community Health and Events, American Cancer Society
  • Kevin Brown, MD Medical Director, Crenshaw Expo Medical Center
  • William Darity, PhD
    Dean Emeritus, University of Massachusetts-Amherst
  • Sandra J. Hamilton, RN, FNP, MEd
    NBLIC III Assistant Director/Clinical Coordinator
  • Jennifer Hartfield, MPH, CHES
    NBLIC III Southern Regional Research Director
  • Terry Mason, MD
    Health Commissioner-City of Chicago
  • Rogsbert F. Phillips, MD
    Metro Surgical Associates/President, Sisters…By Choice/NBLIC III Southern Chair
  • David Satcher, MD, PhD
    Director, Center of Excellence on Health Disparities Poussaint-Satcher-Cosby Chair in Mental Health /NBLIC III Principal Investigator
  • Joyce Q. Sheats, BSN, MPH
    NBLIC III Project Director
  • Selina A. Smith, PhD, MDiv
    NBLIC III Scientific Evaluator
  • Emmanuel Taylor, DrPH
    Program Director, National Cancer Institute
  • Carolyn Williams
    Western Regional Research Director
  • Shanita Williams-Brown, PhD, MPH

Each Steering Committee member serves as an integral part in the development, implementation and evaluation of the NBLIC II: Network Project. The group meets annually and holds quarterly conference calls to ensure the success of the Project.

Specific responsibilities of the Committee include the following:

  • Assisting in the formulation of pragmatic plans for the Infrastructure Capacity Building Phase of the NBLIC II: Network Project.
  • Reviewing training materials and provide expert guidance to national and regional staff.
  • Assisting in establishing collaborations among NCI-designated cancer centers, academic institutions, and NCI Clinical Trials Cooperative Groups.
  • Assisting in recruitment and engagement of community-based alliances and other social networks.
  • Promotion of pilot projects needed to close the gap in cancer morbidity and mortality for African Americans.
  • Providing technical review for reports, papers, and funding proposals for scientific merit and community buy-in.
  • Participating in annual evaluation of the progress of the NBLIC II: Network Project to be submitted to funding agencies and other partners.
  • Identifying representatives from federal agencies, state health departments, academic institutions, and community organizations as presenters or members of special panels to address specific concerns and/or barriers in cancer control activities.
  • Developing strategies to increase training opportunities for African American healthcare providers.