Empowered Connections
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Empower Healthy Connections
A collaborative engine uniting faith, science, and technology to address health disparities in Black and African diaspora communities through culturally responsive education, AI-enabled early detection, and seamless care navigation.
Our Mission & Philosophy
Mission
Empower Black and African diaspora communities with culturally responsive health education, AI-enabled early detection, and seamless care navigation—closing gaps in access, outcomes, and trust.
Philosophy
We "use every gift" to uplift individuals and communities through strategic public health initiatives, anchored in compassion, perseverance, and service through trusted messengers and culturally tailored programming.
Two Organizations, One Vision
Our collaborative brings together complementary expertise: spiritual guidance and community trust, strategic health planning and research capabilities, and culturally competent health education—creating a powerful alliance for health equity.
Meet Our Partner Organizations
Eleventh Hour Teaching Ministries
Christian-based inclusive community led by Dr. Stephen Jackson and Adea Riley-Jackson. Provides spiritual growth, scientific insight, and authentic community through writing, videos, events, and artistic outreach.
Pinnacle Planning Associates
Management consulting firm led by CEO Sheba Rugege Hakiza, MPH. Specializes in public health strategy, clinical research support, and international health programs including Rwanda's Virtual Hospital initiative.
Our Leadership Team
Sheba Rugege Hakiza, MPH
CEO, Pinnacle Planning Associates. Clinical trials management, international public health research, financial services, and large-scale partnership building with African Ministries of Health.
Dr. Stephen M. Jackson
Founder, Eleventh Hour Teaching Ministries. Immunogenetics and NCD research specialist, clinical trials expert, visual ethnography, and faith-arts integration for community trust building.
Catherine Rwivanga, MBA
COO, Pinnacle Planning Associates. IT and cybersecurity expert, data governance specialist, government relations, compliance oversight, and operational excellence across multi-partner projects.
Comprehensive Service Portfolio
Strategy & Program Design
Community needs assessments, multi-site program management, cross-sector coalition building, grant strategy, and compliance reporting.
Health Literacy & Engagement
Turn-key health fairs, culturally tailored education, multilingual materials, social media campaigns, and trusted messenger programs.
Screening & Care Navigation
AI-enabled breast health screening, POCUS diagnostics, hands-free telehealth, risk assessments, and closed-loop navigation to specialists.
Clinical Research & Data
Increase clinical research diversity, privacy-preserving datasets, disparities analyses, policy briefs, and mixed-methods evaluation.
Training & Capacity Building
CHW training, faith leader academies, partner enablement, reusable toolkits, and video modules for replication and scale.
Financial Education
Health is Wealth programs empowering underserved communities with financial knowledge for healthier food choices and safer neighborhoods.
Empower Healthy Connections
Family Wellness Survey
Your insights are invaluable! Help us understand the unique needs and strengths of families in our Black and African diaspora communities.

This quick survey is designed to gather feedback that will directly shape our future programs and resources. Your participation is greatly appreciated, and all responses are kept strictly confidential.
Technology Partners & Innovation
BEXA Health Equity Alliance
Community-ready adjunct breast screening with AI-enabled protocols and training for underserved populations.
Butterfly Network
Handheld ultrasound devices for point-of-care assessments and faster specialist referrals in community settings.
Hippo Technologies
Voice-operated, hands-free telemedicine platform for community settings and remote specialist support consultations.
Diversity Health Network
Led by Dr. Angela James, CEO. Clinical research diversity initiatives, de-identified community data, and policy-relevant health insights.
EHC Program Goals
150
Women Screened
Black women screened for breast cancer using AI-powered ultrasound devices through community events.
1000+
Residents Reached
Community members educated on breast cancer, heart disease, diabetes, and dementia prevention.
200
Nutrition Participants
Individuals receiving nutrition and wellness guidance supporting overall health for men and women.
30%
Screening Intent Increase
Improvement in breast cancer screening intent based on post-intervention surveys.
Funded by Black Physicians Health Network of Montgomery County Maryland grant, targeting Black adults ages 25-70 in Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Germantown, and Upcounty areas.
Priority Geographies & Impact Areas
Montgomery County Focus Areas
  • Gaithersburg - Primary community outreach hub
  • Upcounty (Poolesville, Damascus, Clarksburg)
  • Silver Spring - Urban health initiatives
  • Germantown - Family-centered programs
Extended Reach
African diaspora communities and pilot collaborations in select African countries through international partnerships and virtual care technologies.

Target Population: Uninsured, underinsured, and historically underserved Black residents at high risk for chronic diseases, with culturally competent outreach strategies.
Why Fund Empower Healthy Connections
Turn-Key Delivery
Evidence-driven programs meeting communities where they are—faith venues, local hubs, and mobile events with proven methodologies.
Tech + Trust Model
Hybrid approach combining advanced technology (Hippo, Bexa, Butterfly) with community health workers and faith leaders for maximum impact.
Policy-Moving Data
DHN-aligned methods convert qualitative community insights into decision-grade metrics that inform county and state health programs.
Replicable Scale
County and cross-border scalability with built-in governance, cybersecurity, compliance, and active FY25-26 BPHN investment validation.
Ready to transform health equity in Montgomery County and beyond through our proven collaborative model.