Even with the lively, large crowds, local food staples and cultural attractions, many said one of the most enjoyable aspects of Essence Festival was the emphasis on education. Throughout the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, people offered intricate panels, lessons and tips for Black women to prioritize health, self-care and educational and career opportunities.
L’Oreal sponsored Howard University skin care experts Dr. Cheshana Kindred and Dr. Cheri Frey to address the lack of equity in dermatology and explain why it’s so hard to find doctors that can cater to the specific needs of Black women.
“Like many of us growing up, I watched ‘The Cosby Show’ and that’s what inspired me to be a doctor,” Kindred, a Howard University graduate shared. “It wasn’t until my fourth year in college that I knew I wanted to be a dermatologist.”
Both Kindred and Frey shared that they didn’t know much about the industry before deciding to pursue a career in the field.
Statistics show less than 3% of dermatologists are Black.
Frey, who currently teaches at Howard University, believes the small Black representation in her field is due to the lack of awareness and limited number of programs offered to students seeking residency.
“I receive about 600 applications for three or four spots,” Frey said on stage. “Increasing the number of residency spots is something we need to do. I think there’s more interest, thankfully, now in dermatology. But some of the reasons that we see a disparity is that we need to grab people earlier. The interest needs to be there earlier so that they are on the right path in the beginning so they can match into the right program for a really competitive field like dermatology.”
Kindred, noted the importance of institutions being more purposeful in providing opportunities for students of color to pursue medical careers.
“There’s a reason why we’re only 3%. It’s a reason why the number of medical students and physicians who are Black are actually making it through the career,” Kindred said. “We have to, with the same intensity, intentionally get our kids into medical school. We need to create more scholarships for each other, we need to create more mentoring programs for each other, we need to make sure they aren’t falling through all of these trap doors that are out there.”
According to Yale, Black students are 83% more likely to leave medical programs and 50% more likely to graduate with only an M.D. as opposed to a Ph.D. to pair it with.
At the Essence Festival, those in the medical field emphasized how deliberate guidance can edify students who are interested in science and medicine from an early age.
“No more having a smart kid and hoping they make it through, get that kid with someone who knows how to get them through each phase on how to become a physician,” said Kindred who recommended those interested in pursuing dermatology visit nmaderm.org.
The site features African American professionals as a part of the National Medical Association’s dermatology section. The organization, established in 1940, has over 100 dermatologists who serve as active members that are open to empowering others coming behind them.
Attendees said the panel helped them better understand why representation in the medical field matters. Out of the 500,000 people who traveled to New Orleans for the 30th annual Essence Fest celebration D.C. mother and daughter duo Brittany and Shirlita Baker were touched by the panel.
“Sitting in on the skincare panel with two Black dermatologists was like having a heart-to-heart conversation because you don’t see many Black dermatologists,” said Baker, who ventured over 1,000 miles away from home for an enlightening experience. “Growing up I struggled with skincare and I wish I had professionals like these in my life. I will definitely bring back what I’ve learned today and share it with others.”
Source: Washington Informer
