Seele incorporated a growing organization as "The Balm in Gilead, Inc." This national movement to address public-health issues through communities of faith"[1] has grown to include more than ten thousand churches, and numerous branches in the United States, Africa and the Caribbean.

Religious leaders like Frederick Williams and Preston Washington credit a fiery former immunologist, Pernessa C. Seele, for changing the way they see the disease.

As an administrator at Harlem Hospital, Ms. Seele grew weary of watching dozens of patients die alone, without the spiritual support of their congregations.

Her leadership was supported by major religious leaders in Harlem: Dr. Preston Washington, Dr. Frederick B. Williams, Dr. Wyatt Tee Walker, Dr. Calvin O. Butts, Bishop Norman N. Quick, Dr. James A. Forbes, and numerous others.

Seele's effort to address public health issues through communities of faith received technical assistance and support from the federal government.

Through a cooperative agreement with the CDC, the Balm in Gilead, Inc. operates the Black Church HIV/AIDS National Technical Assistance Center.

For years CDC has provided funding and technical assistance to communities of faith to mobilize efforts in education and prevention of HIV/AIDS.