REAL TALK!

Prostate cancer hits Black Men earlier and harder. Our community needs to be more informed about prostate cancer, especially the non-invasive screening test that can save lives.

Register for the “Talk That Talk” webinar to hear the facts from a physician, a prostate cancer survivor, and a pastor who is a leader in community cancer education.

PANELISTS

A.J. STARLING SECRETARY/TREASURER TENNESSEE AFL – CIO

A.J. Starling, a prostate cancer survivor, began his career in the Labor Movement in 1971 with the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1235 in Nashville, as a bus operator. He was later elected to the Union Executive Board and eventually Recording Secretary of Local 1235, where he served for 12 years. Read More

While he was a bus operator, Mr. Starling received recognition as Operator of the Year, Perfect Attendance Award and Safe Driving Award for 18 years. He also received an award that was named in his and his supervisor’s (Frank Brooks) honor. The Brooks-Starling Award is given annually to the operator who has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Before leaving as an operator, Mr. Starling worked in numerous political campaigns with the Tennessee AFL-CIO and the National AFL-CIO.

In 1988, Mr. Starling was selected by Tennessee AFL-CIO President Jim Neeley to serve as Labor Coordinator in the Technical Assistance Program, where he worked with the Tennessee Department of Labor in the Dislocated Workers Unit, assisting hundreds of people secure training and re-employment.

Within 2 years, Mr. Starling was promoted to Director of the Technical Assistance Program, where he planned and supervised all phases and operations. Under his leadership, program staff doubled and the annual budget grew to almost a half million dollars.

Mr. Starling was named Director of Political Affairs in 2003, and currently serves as Secretary/Treasurer of the Tennessee AFL-CIO. He is active in community and political activities, including membership on the Workforce Investment Board (WIA#9), State of Tennessee Tax Structure Study Commission, Red Cross Board, State President of the Asa Phillip Randolph Institute, Trustee of Westwood Baptist Church. A.J. and his wife Marieta have two sons, Jeff and Andrae.

REV. DR. NATHANIEL T. BROOKS SENIOR PASTOR

Rev. Dr. Nathaniel T. Brooks, senior pastor, Greater St. John Baptist Church, is an established intergenerational millennial leader and thinker. For three years, Rev. Dr. Brooks has served as the Chair of the Community Advisory Board for the O’Neil Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Read More

Rev. Dr. Brooks has been a faithful servant and leader of several educational, community, and religious organizations that include Editorial Board Member at the Institute of Youth Ministry (IYT) – Princeton Theological Seminary; Leadership Council Member for the Ethics & Religious Liberties Commission; and Black Theology & Leadership Institute Fellow – Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Brooks is also President/CEO of the Change- It-Foundation, a non-profit consultant firm established to support churches and businesses in areas of leadership, team development, and professional coaching. Dr. Brooks has done international missionary work in various developing countries: Kenya, Liberia, St. Croix, Haiti, and Guyana, South America.

Dr. Brooks was licensed in 2004 and ordained in 2007 into the Gospel ministry by his pastor and mentor, Bishop Walter Scott Thomas Sr., New Psalmist Baptist Church (Baltimore, MD). Dr. Brooks served at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church, Herndon, VA., as Youth & Young Adults Pastor and later as the Executive Pastor, and Minister to Youth & Young Adults at the Park Church (Charlotte, NC) where he oversaw three multi-campus ministries of 1,000+ Youth & Young Adults weekly. Currently, Dr. Brooks serves as the Senior Pastor of the Greater Saint John Baptist Church, Birmingham, VA.

As Senior Pastor, in five years, Dr. Brooks formed a food bank ministry in the church’s high crime and poverty-stricken neighborhood which successfully fed 9,000+ families, seniors, kids and the homeless population during the global pandemic. Dr. Brooks grew the church and oversaw a $400,000 revitalization capital campaign for its dilapidated educational building & fellowship hall. This campaign was completed funded by faithful members and community partners without adding any debt to the church.

Dr. Brooks is a graduate of Norfolk State University, cum laude (B.A.); Virginia Union University – Samuel DeWitt Proctor School of Theology (M.Div.); a Doctorate of Ministry from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (D.Min), and a post-graduate certificate of Youth and Theology from Princeton Theological Seminary.

In addition, his academic honors include: Golden Key International Honor Society, College Bound Foundation Scholar, Alpha Kappa Mu (English Honor Society), Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., Kern Family Foundation Scholar, Stern Foundation Scholar, The Samuel DeWitt Procter School of Theology Dean’s Scholarship, and the Memorial Baptist Church Foundation Scholarship.

Dr. Brooks is humbled to welcome beside him his two loving children Morghan Rachel Brooks (daughter) and Mason Lee Brooks (son) as they journey through ministry together. Beyond the accolades and accomplishments, Dr. Brooks embodies what is popularly known as being “faithful”

DR. MICHAEL BIVINSUROLOGIST

For 18 years, Dr. Vincent Michael Bivins has been a dedicated member of the team of doctors at Urology Centers of Alabama (UCA). Dr. Bivins received his Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology from the University of Alabama.
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He subsequently completed his medical education at the University of Alabama School of Medicine, his internship in General Surgery at Vanderbilt Medical Center and his residency in Urology at the University of Oklahoma. He then completed a clinical fellowship in Urology Oncology at the University of Washington and went on to join Urology Centers of Alabama in 2002. In addition to serving the patients at UCA, Bivins resides on the boards of the Jefferson County American Cancer Society, YMCA and Urology Foundation. Dr. Bivins gives back to his community by providing free prostate screenings for low socioeconomic areas. Bivins is also a retired member of the United States Air Force Reserve.