In this special episode, host Dr. Cassandre Dunbar takes listeners inside the Johnson & Johnson Healthy eVoices Conference in Princeton, New Jersey — a gathering of hundreds of health advocates from across the country, all living with chronic illness.
Cassandre sat down with eight extraordinary women and asked them all the same question: How did you become an advocate?
None of them planned it. Most of them were chosen - by a diagnosis, by a moment of crisis, by the simple fact that no one who looked like them existed in the spaces they needed most.
From a 7-year-old giving her first speech at a gala, to a woman fired from her job because of epilepsy, to a cancer diagnosis in the middle of a divorce — these stories will move you, challenge you, and remind you why showing up matters.
*Disclosure: Johnson & Johnson covered travel and accommodations for the Healthy Voices Conference. They had no involvement in the conversations, participants selected, questions asked, or how this story is told.*
Featuring:
Alexis - Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
Alexis is a Black disabled advocate and healthcare professional committed to amplifying the patient voice and advancing disability representation. She began her advocacy at age seven with the American Heart Association and was later crowned Miss Amazing National Senior Miss Amazing 2021. Through her work and storytelling—including her love of Disney and fashion—she creates space for honest conversations about disability, identity, and what it means to live well and fully.
Asha - Breast Cancer & Vitiligo
Asha Miller is a nationally recognized breast cancer veteran, speaker, and storyteller who uses her lived experience as a Black woman navigating cancer, divorce, motherhood, and healing to advocate for equity in healthcare. Diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in her early 30s, Asha speaks candidly about identity, body image, racial disparities, and reclaiming power after diagnosis. She is the founder of Asha Miller Creative and is known for building transformative spaces where storytelling becomes a catalyst for healing and change.
Ayesha - Psoriatic Arthritis
Founder of The PsoriaSis Collective and Sistas With Psoriasis Online Support Group, Ayesha Patrick is a long-time psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis patient advocate dedicated to empowering Black women through education, connection, and support. She volunteers with the National Psoriasis Foundation, has written for WebMD and PlaquePsoriasis.com, and serves as a patient research partner advancing psoriatic disease studies. She is a proud Mom of two and resides in NewJersey.
Derra - Epilepsys
Derra Howard is a content strategist, filmmaker, and the Founder and President of Saving Grace Epilepsy Foundation. She leads initiatives focused on epilepsy awareness, education, and direct community support, working to break stigma and improve access to care for individuals and families affected by seizure disorders.
Jenice - Crohn's Disease
Racquel - Lupus
Lupus In Color founder Racquel H. Dozier is a passionate lupus advocate, educator, speaker, and community builder dedicated to educating, inspiring, encouraging, and empowering lupus warriors around the world. Navigating her own lupus journey, she transformed her experience into purpose, creating a platform that amplifies diverse voices, addresses health disparities, and centers the lived experiences of those often underrepresented in chronic illness spaces.
Stephanie - IBD (Crohn's/Ulcerative Colitis)
Stephanie A. Wynn is a Certified Patient Leader, Founder and President of The Stephanie A. Wynn Foundation, and Program Director of the IBD Patient Navigator® Program. She leads initiatives that connect patients diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis two forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)with trained IBD Patient Navigators who provide individualized support to help patients manage their disease and navigate healthcare with confidence. Through advocacy, education, and community-based navigation, she works to reduce healthcare disparities and improve outcomes in underserved communities.
Yolanda - Multiple Myeloma
Yolanda Brunson-Sarrabo, former Fashion Pro, now vocal advocate. She shares her story of being diagnosed and managing multiple myeloma. She’s a certified Patient Leader and the founder and CEO of Chronic Fitness. Yolanda is a Content Creator for No Better Time Than The Present, an IG /YouTube Podcast, where she speaks with various Patient Advocates on their trials and Journeys.
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Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. The show is edited, mixed and produced by Megan Hayward. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.
Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.
Be Well, Sis is hosted by Dr Cassandre Dunbar. This episode was edited by Victoria Marin. Our Production Manager is Kathleen Speckert.
Be Well, Sis is an editaudio collaboration.
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