BlackDoctor.org (BDO), the leading health and wellness platform for people of color, celebrated 20 years in business and a decade of excellence at its Top Blacks in Healthcare (TBH).
The two-day event kicked off April 9 at Miami’s Fontainebleau with the induction of BDO’s first TBH Hall of Fame class. The eleven inductees, including Vanessa Broadhurst (Johnson & Johnson/Zoetis), Dr. Craig Emmitt Cole (Karmanos Cancer Institute), Tony Ezell (BD), Reshema Kemps-Polanco (Novartis), Dr. Michael LeNoir, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall, Dr. Ted Love (BIO), Myrtle Potter (Sumitomo Pharma America), Dr. Reed Tuckson, and Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams (Joi Life Wellness Group), and Dr. Richard Allen Williams (Minority Health Institute/Association of Black Cardiologists), were honored for their significant impact on healthcare within the Black community. A special exhibit showcased their journeys and achievements. Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, Dr. Freda Lewis-Hall and Dr. Craig Emmitt Cole were among the Hall of Fame inductees who attended in person.
The event also featured a Thought Leadership Summit, addressing critical issues in Black health. Panels discussed the future of health with leaders like Niesha Foster (Pfizer), equitable dermatology care, combating health misinformation, recognizing obesity as a disease and overcoming barriers to clinical trial access with panelists including Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams and Dr. Craig Emmitt Cole.
The two-day event concluded with BDO’s 10th annual TBH Awards, which recognized thirteen individuals for their dedication to health equity. Honorees included Dr. Chuka Anude (Moderna), Sandra Ajisafe (Genentech), Dr. Virginia Caine (NMA), and Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice (Morehouse School of Medicine).
The events proved to be a success for BDO, underscoring its 20-year commitment to addressing health disparities and creating a more equitable future for all. As BDO continues its driving mission, it looks forward to a new phase of growth and impact with the announcement of its new President and COO Akiwole Garrett.
