WellSpan ‘Black Men in White Coats’ event seeks to inspire youths

There is so much possibility – so much opportunity. 

I grew up in rural South Carolina in a town of just eight thousand people. Neither of my parents finished high school. I’m the youngest of seven kids. Many of my siblings went into careers in education and that helped surround me with important concepts like math and science.   

I specifically think back to two of my sisters as math and chemistry teachers. I recall being intrigued by math and the sciences myself, because of the influence they brought into the house with their careers. It unknowingly inspired me to understand that I could explore that possibility too, because I saw my sisters, smart, capable, Black women seize their opportunities.  

When you’re growing up and you don’t see others who look like you working in certain professions, then it stands to reason you can’t picture yourself working in that profession either. It can be a vicious cycle. All the more reason it is critical we inspire our youth in their early development. 

I had the chance to work with Dr. Dale Okorodudu, founder of the Black Men in White Coats initiative, when I was a faculty member at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. We share a similar passion for addressing the concern that many young Black youths do not see themselves on a path to success. How do we instill that confidence in them? Dr. Dale often says kids must “be able to see something.” Promoting that something often requires outreach, and mentorship, from a young age.