Gelise Thomas, the CTSC of Northern Ohio’s Director of Research Health Equity, was honored by the Black Professionals Association Charitable Foundation in their inaugural class of 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends. The BPACF 40 Under 40 Emerging Legends Award (formerly Trailblazers Award) is dedicated to recognizing outstanding African American changemakers between the ages of 25-39 in Northeast Ohio.
Dr. Lauren Bouchard, an OBGYN at Cleveland Clinic, one of the CTSC of Northern Ohio’s partner institutions, and Dr. Heather Rice, an Assistant Professor at Cleveland State University, were also honored. Drs. Bouchard and Rice are advocates for advancing Black maternal health and supported the 2024 CTSC of Northern Ohio’s Black Maternal Health Equity Summit in April.
The BPACF was established in 1985 with a goal to raise awareness and support the development of Black leaders in Northeast Ohio. BPACF raises and distributes charitable funds to African Americans in and around Northeast Ohio. Those funds help create opportunities for advancement to higher education and develop rising talent to join the ranks of the region’s most outstanding leaders and professionals.
