MEET THE SPEAKER & HONOREES
A Virtual Interactive Event  
The Black History Virtual
Empowerment Recognition Breakfast
​Thursday, March 12, 2026
​FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
​1pm GMT (1300)  •  9am EST  • 8am CST •  7am MST • 6am PST
​
Anchored In Equity:
Built On Truth.
​Driven By Purpose

DISTINGUISHED KEYNOTE SPEAKER


CARMEN FIELDS

A fixture in the greater Boston journalism community for over 30 years, Carmen Fields’ experience includes both print and broadcast journalism, journalism education, and media relations in both corporate and non-profit settings. She was the longtime producer and host of the monthly public affairs program called “Higher Ground” on Boston’s Channel 7. Her memoir about her father Ernie Fields’ Territory Big Band (University of Oklahoma Press), was a finalist for best jazz biography by the Jazz Journalists Association.

A native of Tulsa, OK, Fields earned a B.A. degree in journalism from Lincoln University (MO) and an M.S. degree in broadcast journalism from Boston University. Her many awards for professional and civic service include an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters from Salem State University  (MA)

She is an active member of the Screen Actors Guild/American Federation of Radio and Television Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and works as a background actor on films produced in the Boston area.

Carmen Fields lives in suburban Boston and is married with a grown daughter. Her brother, the late Ernie Fields Jr.,  followed in the family (music) business and was a popular studio musician/contractor based in Los Angeles. 


​DISTINGUISHED HONOREES

REV. JAMISON COLLIER

Rev. Jamison A. Collier is an ordained American Baptist minister, educator, and organizational leader whose vocation blends pastoral commitment with a passion for youth development and institutional excellence. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, he was shaped early by the rich theological, cultural, and communal traditions of the Black Church. These formative experiences nurtured his call to ministry and laid the foundation for a career devoted to service, leadership, and community flourishing. He is a graduate of Morehouse College and Columbia Theological Seminary, and he is currently completing the Doctor of Ministry degree at Columbia Theological Seminary.

Rev. Collier’s professional journey reflects a consistent dedication to strengthening organizations and expanding opportunities for young people. As the National Implementation Manager for the Becoming A Man® (BAM®) and Working on Womanhood® (WOW®) programs at Youth Guidance, he leads large-scale implementation efforts across ten U.S. and international geographies. His work includes coaching and training site leaders, managing complex program rollouts, developing scalable systems, and equipping teams to provide transformative social-emotional support for more than 10,000 students annually. His earlier roles—Program Supervisor, Program and Partnership Manager, and BAM Counselor—demonstrate a record of sustained impact, innovation, and care for youth and staff alike.

Before joining Youth Guidance, Rev. Collier served with distinction at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Boston, Massachusetts. As Chief Administrative Officer and, previously, as Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor, he oversaw major operational functions, coordinated strategic initiatives, and helped shepherd a multi-building campus and 500-member congregation. His leadership advanced ministry effectiveness, strengthened administrative systems, and supported key stewardship and capital campaigns. His service to Bethel continues today as Associate Pastor for Discipleship, Groups, and Christian Education.

Rev. Collier also spent several years at Boston University as a Project Manager and Project Coordinator for the Howard Thurman Papers Project and the Howard & Sue Bailey Thurman Archival Research Project. In these roles, he managed federally funded archival initiatives, coordinated research teams, and helped preserve the legacy of one of the 20th century’s most influential religious thinkers. His stewardship of these projects bridged scholarship, public education, and spiritual formation, helping broaden access to Thurman’s writings and thought.

In addition to his ministerial and administrative leadership, Rev. Collier is a Certified Professional Coach through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) and a Certified Leadership Circle Profile™Practitioner. These credentials reflect his commitment to developing leaders, fostering a healthy organizational culture, and supporting personal and professional transformation. A committed husband, father, and community leader, he resides in Boston, Massachusetts, with his wife, Crystal, their son, Langston, and their dog, Baldwin. His life and ministry continue to reflect an abiding commitment to justice, learning, and the transforming power of faith.

CRYSTAL COLLIER

Crystal Cobb Collier is an educator, author, literacy advocate, and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience in education. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she currently serves as a reading specialist and literacy coach with Boston Public Schools, supporting students in developing strong foundational reading skills through structured literacy and evidence-based practices. Crystal is trained in the Wilson Reading System and morphology and is a passionate advocate for students with dyslexia and other reading challenges.

Crystal is the author of the children’s book “I Think My Teacher Is a Superhero,” which celebrates the impact educators have on students’ lives. She is also the founder of Teach the Good Stuff, a literacy platform and educational business that equips families and educators with tools, strategies, and resources to help children become confident and capable readers.

Beyond her professional work, Crystal is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a woman of strong faith who loves God, and a committed community advocate. She has been married to her husband, Jamison, for 16 years, and together they are raising their son, Langston, whom she considers her greatest accomplishment and inspiration.

Crystal is also an avid runner and is currently preparing to run the Boston Marathon. Whether in the classroom, through her writing, or through her literacy platform, she is dedicated to empowering children, families, and educators with the knowledge and tools needed to help every child learn to read and thrive.

DR. LIZA SWEDARSKY

Dr. Liza Swedarsky has over 27 years of clinical experience and specializes in outpatient gynecology, laparoscopic and robotic surgery, and chronic pelvic pain. She is a faculty member in the Division of Urban Health at Mass General Brigham and an Instructor at Harvard Medical School. She has dedicated her career to eliminating gynecologic and surgical option disparities for marginalized women, those experiencing poverty, and Hispanic and Black women. She has served in six of Boston’s community health centers. She has been named one of Boston’s Top Doctors for the past nine years.

Dr. Swedarsky is the founder of Health Vows and the Embracing Black initiative. Dr. Swedarsky creates educational and healing experiences to promote conscious living by targeting individual behavioral changes and empowering participants with health information and self-advocacy strategies. Her inaugural Embracing Black Healing & Self-Advocacy Conference for Black Women attracted two hundred Black women who gathered to center spiritual practice, evidence-based conventional medical wisdom, movement, sound healing, safety, and rest to promote healing and self-care.

Dr. Swedarsky’s efforts have been awarded and recognized by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers District Statewide Reinvestment Program for Care Redesign Special Projects Grant, a Brigham Care Redesign Incubator and Startup Program (BCRISP) Grant, and in January 2025, a Harvard Radcliffe Institute Exploratory Seminar Grant to reimagine health care for black women in the 21st century. She also serves as an Ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Voices of Black Women.

Dr. Swedarsky also serves as the Physical and Mental Health Co-Chair of the Boston Alumnae Chapter (BAC) of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. She is the content creator and facilitator of the Women’s Health Early Detection Series in Breast Health and Cervical Cancer Screening and Prevention. As a result of the committee’s impactful programming, the Boston Alumnae Chapter received a 2024-2025 Community Empowerment Grant from the Delta Research and Educational Foundation. She is currently an Ambassador for the American Cancer Society’s Voices of Black Women Study, and her work has been instrumental in the Boston Alumnae Chapter receiving the American Cancer Society’s Community Partnership Grant.

Liza is also a licensed spiritual practitioner who guides individuals in identifying which experiences and belief systems impact their lives and their ability to live healthily. She also studies Ayurveda, is pursuing certification in Pranic Energy Healing, and is currently a student at the University of Metaphysics pursuing a degree in the Art of Spiritual Healing and Metaphysical Sciences. She has presented workshops aligning with community organizations, churches, New Thought communities, and conferences, bridging understanding of how to apply evidence-based research, mindfulness practices, and universal spiritual principles to optimize health.

When enjoying personal time, Liza loves to study metaphysics and is an avid reader. She practices daily meditation and yoga. She believes in exercise as a form of self-care. She is an explorer and loves to travel.  She prefers a wardrobe filled with color and cannot resist boots and jackets. Food, film, dance, art, and live music are among her first loves. However, she is most in love with her two teenage children. 

DR. J. JACQUES CARTER

A native of North Carolina, Dr. J. Jacques Carter grew up in Washington, D.C.  He earned degrees from Howard University (psychology) and George Washington University (environmental health).  After a five-year stint as a sanitarian and program manager with the District of Columbia Department of Public Health, he left to pursue medical studies at Georgetown University.  Dr. Carter completed his residency training in internal medicine at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.  This was followed by graduate work at the Harvard School of Public Health and a clinical fellowship in primary care medicine at the Massachusetts General Hospital.  Since completing his training, he has held a number of clinical and administrative positions, including Medical Directorships of several local and national health care organizations.

Dr. Carter currently serves as an attending physician on the medical service at the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and is an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.  From 2005 to 2014, he also served as the Medical Director of the Prostate Cancer Screening and Education Program at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.  In addition to patient care, his other hospital-related activities include teaching medical students and residents, serving as a liaison to various community health programs, and serving on the Internship Selection Committee.  A former director of one of the major clinical clerkships, he now serves as a teacher, advisor, and mentor for students at Harvard College, the Medical School, and the School of Public Health.

Dr. Carter has been active in several civic and community organizations.  He is a former member of the board of directors of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.  He is the past chair of the Brookline Advisory Council on Public Health.  He is a former member and past president of the Board of Trustees of Family Service of Greater Boston.  He is also a former member of the Board of Trustees of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center.  He is co-founder and former president of the Friends of Public Health in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Dr. Carter is past chair of the Harvard School of Public Health's Reunion Giving Committee, Alumni Weekend Committee, and Award of Merit Committee; He is current chair of its Nominating Committee.  He is a past President of the Harvard School of Public Health Alumni Association and a former director of the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA).  He is a founding member of the Georgetown University African American Advisory Board.

Dr. Carter regularly gives talks on medical and health-related issues to community groups and students throughout the greater Boston area.  He also lectures nationally and internationally on medical and public health topics.  He serves as a medical consultant and resource for members of the print and electronic media.  He is the recipient of the 2010 Harvard Medical School/Harvard School of Dental Medicine Community Service Lifetime Achievement Award.  He also received the 2020 Founders Alumni Award from Georgetown, the 2020 HAA Award from The Harvard Alumni Association, the 2022 John Carroll Award from Georgetown, and the 2024 Clanton-Moser Distinguished Service Award from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Thursday March 12, 2026
​FREE & OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC WORLDWIDE
​1pm GMT (1300) •  9am EST  • 8am CST •  7am MST • 6am PST