Launching and scaling Black Health Connect was one of Dr. Duclas Charles’ most significant challenges. As a first-generation Haitian-American pharmacist, Dr. Charles knew early on that building Black Health Connect would come with its share of hurdles, especially when it came to creating a digital and physical hub of Black professionals.
What initially began as a passion project has evolved tremendously. Black Health Connect has since evolved into an international ecosystem comprising 30,000 members across 24 United States cities and four countries, thereby transforming how Black professionals not only connect in healthcare but also lead and build equity.
Using Diaspora as a Strategy
Photo Courtesy: Black Health Connect
Black Health Connect’s mission is to reach people worldwide, whether in the United States, the United Kingdom, or African countries such as Ghana and Kenya.
Accomplishing this wasn’t an easy feat, however. As Black Health Connect grew, it operated with limited capacity, requiring perseverance, resourcefulness, and community support. Despite this, Black Health Connect’s mission remained clear: to create a space where Black professionals not only survive but also lead.
This advocacy for diversity in healthcare is housed in Black Health Connect’s physical and digital hubs, where they foster interdisciplinary and intergenerational networks of professionals who all advocate for improved health equity for patients worldwide. Through Black Health Connect’s forthcoming digital platform, the organization aims to create a global equalizer, enabling a health leader in Accra to connect with a policy fellow in Washington, DC, or even a startup founder in London.
The Black Health Connect Conference as a Global Beacon
Photo Courtesy: Black Health Connect
Black Health Connect has recently announced the return of their #BridgingHealthcareCommunities conference, which will take place from June 26 to 30, 2024, in Washington, DC. This year’s theme, “Find Your Community: Now More Than Ever,” emphasizes the importance of connection and advocacy in the future of Black healthcare.
BHC Con will feature curated networking opportunities with trailblazers and innovators who will lead interactive sessions and workshops. Keynote speeches from industry leaders will focus on addressing systemic issues in healthcare equity. At the same time, exclusive social events, such as the DC Mixer and the Black Health Ball, will celebrate this year’s 40 Under 40 honorees.
BHC Con serves not only as a summit but also as a signal, drawing not only attendees but also investment, visibility, and continued influence from around the world.
Black Global Health 3.0
Black Health Connect’s primary goal is to expand into an era where Black-led networks are not relegated to the fringes of healthcare organizations. Instead, Dr. Charles and the organization aim to define the global future of healthcare delivery, innovation, and equity.
Within the next three to five years, Black Health Connect aspires to expand into 40+ domestic and 15+ international cities, connecting the diaspora in healthcare and communities on every continent.
They also plan to launch a digital membership platform for networking and career development, all while growing the annual BHC Conference to attract over 2000+ attendees.
If you are interested in learning more about Black Health Connect, you can visit them on Instagram. Information about the Black Health Connect Conference can also be found online.
