Black History Month
SOPHE pays tribute to Black History Month by recognizing prominent African American figures who contributed prominently to and made a difference in health education and the public health field. These individuals range from SOPHE past presidents, plenary speakers from our advocacy summits and conferences, Honorary Fellows and active SOPHE members.
SOPHE Presidents
SOPHE Distinguished Fellows
The award recognizes individuals who have made significant and lasting contributions to SOPHE and the profession of health education or public health. This is SOPHE’s highest award to a member.
- Marcia Pinkett-Heller, MPH (1991)
- William A. Darity, PhD (1999)
- Collins Airhihenbuwa, PhD (2007)
- Leonard Jack, Jr., PhD, MSc, CHES®(2011)
SOPHE Honorary Fellows
The Honorary Fellow Award is SOPHE’s highest honor presented to a non-member who has made significant and lasting contributions to health education and the public’s health.
- Joycelyn Elders, MD (1994)
- Reed V. Tuckson, MD (1997)
- David Satcher, MD, PhD (1998)
- Marian Wright Edelman, JD (2003)
- Helene D. Gayle, MD, MPH (2006)
- Gail C. Christopher, DN (2009)
- First Lady Michelle Obama (2011)
- Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA (2014)
- Camara Phyllis Jones, MD, MPH, PhD (2018)
- Georges C. Benjamin, MD, FACP (2019)
- Stacey Yvonne Abrams, MPA, JD (2020)
- Catherine Coleman Flowers, MA (2023)