For Immediate Release
October 1, 2021
- IMPACT HBCU is a community awareness and targeted recruitment event to create and develop more Black Doctors of Optometry
- Although, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) produce about 40% of all doctors, future optometrists that identify as Black or African American make up approximately 3% of students in the 23 schools and colleges of optometry and less than 2% of practicing optometrists in the United States.
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – Black EyeCare Perspective, founded by optometrists Drs. Adam Ramsey and Darryl Glover, was designed and created to cultivate and foster lifelong relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry. Along with Drs. Essence Johnson (Chief Visionary Officer) and Jacobi Cleaver (Director of Program Management), Black EyeCare Perspective is redefining the color of the eyecare industry 1% at a time by creating a pipeline for Black students into optometry. Black EyeCare Perspective’s 13% Promise initiative is a call for equity in the increase of Black representation in eyecare companies, schools and colleges of optometry and optometry boards.
Through industry partners like America’s Best Contacts and Eyeglasses, MyEyeDr., and Warby Parker, Black Eyecare Perspective is able to raise awareness about optometry and expose students and communities to a variety of minority optometrists that share their unique journeys and diverse practice styles. Since last Fall, Black EyeCare Perspective hosts a free virtual event, IMPACT HBCU, highlighting their industry partners, Black Doctors of Optometry and a school or college of Optometry. This year’s event will take place on Tuesday, October 12 at 7:30 pm EST and feature a panel discussion with Drs. Danielle Richardson (Los Angeles, CA) and Fayiz Mahgoub (Fort Collins, CO) as well as the Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University. Black EyeCare Perspective believes that “If you see it, you can be it,” and encourages students, families and communities to register for the impactful and informative event at: https://blackeyecareperspective.com/impact-hbcu
About Black EyeCare Perspective
Healthcare Enrichment
Black EyeCare Perspective is creating awareness and changing the narrative of the role of optometry from a profession, provider and patient perspective.
DEI Champions
Black EyeCare Perspective is creating brave spaces and facilitating courageous conversations within the eye care community through diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Transformational Impact
Black EyeCare Perspective is changing the mindset of the next generation of eyecare professionals to impact the industry in ways we have yet to see.
To learn more about Black EyeCare Perspective, their initiatives, and ways to support visit: https://blackeyecareperspective.com
About Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club
With nearly 100 members, the Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry was established in August 2020 to ensure not a single, potential Black or African American student or optometrist is ignored, discouraged or disadvantaged. During the 2020-2021 application cycle, 80% of the members that were eligible were accepted into a school or college of optometry. Through its charitable arm, Diversity Perspective, Inc. and Scholarship America, Black EyeCare Perspective awarded $23,500 in matriculation grants to 19 recipients and connected students to many other resources and opportunities in the industry and beyond. To join the club visit: https://blackeyecareperspective.com/black-eyecare-perspective-preoptometry-club
© Black EyeCare Perspective, 2021. All Rights Reserved.
Media Contact
Samantha Wallen
Black EyeCare Perspective
