Leadership Memphis To Host 17th Annual Multicultural Breakfast on March 13

Event includes breakfast, networking, and a panel discussion on Bridging the Gap: AI and Health Equity

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – February 20, 2026 – As artificial intelligence continues to reshape healthcare nationwide, Leadership Memphis will host its 17th Annual Multicultural Breakfast on Friday, March 13, at the FedEx Event Center at Shelby Farms Park, convening regional leaders to examine how innovation can advance health equity in Memphis and the Mid-South.

A signature Leadership Memphis event, the Multicultural Breakfast brings together leaders from across sectors for timely, meaningful dialogue on issues shaping the region. This year’s theme, “Bridging the Gap: AI and Health Equity,” will explore how emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, are influencing healthcare access and outcomes and how leaders can work collaboratively to ensure innovation advances equity across all communities.

“The rapid emergence of artificial intelligence has raised important questions for healthcare systems and communities,” said Dr. Reginald Porter, Jr., President and CEO of Leadership Memphis. “This year’s Multicultural Breakfast creates space for leaders from different sectors to examine how these tools are being used and to consider their potential implications for access, outcomes, and equity in our region.”

Presented by Cigna Healthcare, the program will feature a moderated panel discussion with leaders from healthcare, technology, and community development, offering diverse perspectives on collaboration, innovation, and impact.

Moderator:
Alanis Dobbins, President and CEO, Oteka Technologies

Panelists:

  • Rory Thomas, President, Memphis Medical District Collaborative
  • Keith Perry, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  • Durga Prasad (DP) Koka, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Information Officer, The Cigna Group
  • Kayla Rodriguez Graff, Co-Founder and CEO, Sweet Bio
  • Reverend Keith Norman, Vice President of Governmental Affairs, Baptist Memorial Hospital

General admission tickets are $50 and include breakfast and networking. Table options are available, including full tables for $500 (10 seats) and half tables for $250 (5 seats). Tickets may be purchased online at https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/2026-leadership-memphis-multicultural-breakfast.

Additional sponsorship opportunities are available.

Photos:

Leadership Memphis can be found online at:
https://www.facebook.com/leadershipmemphis
https://www.linkedin.com/company/leadership-memphis/ https://www.instagram.com/leadershipmemphis/

About Leadership Memphis:
Leadership Memphis is a non-profit, community leadership development organization. Its mission is to prepare and mobilize leaders to work together for the good of the whole community. Originally founded in 1979 as The Memphis Institute of Public Responsibility, Leadership Memphis has graduated more than 4,100 leaders from its programs. For more information, please visit LeadershipMemphis.org.