Allegheny East Conference

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

For years, Joyce Steele’s family made it a point to worship with her at Allegheny East Conference's Mizpah church in Philadelphia on the Sabbath closest to her birthday. Even after she passed away in 2023, her children wanted to keep the tradition going and, as usual, attended this year on the Sabbath following their mother’s birthday.

The family, who travels from New York, New Jersey, Florida and Pennsylvania, are committed to keeping the tradition alive as long as they are able to. “We want to honor her memory, as well as thank the Lord for giving her to us,” says Janet Steele, her daughter. “It also provides us with our own sense of comfort.”

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Gina Brown, an Allegheny East Conference Dupont Park church member, located in Washington, D.C., was recently awarded the 2023 National Humanism in Medicine Medal from the Arnold P. Gold Foundation. Brown received the award “in recognition of her transformational global leadership, innovative educational practices, and embodiment of nursing,” according to the foundation’s website.

Brown, who has served as dean of the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences at Howard University since 2015, received the award alongside four other notable names in health care at the Arnold P. Gold Foundation annual gala.