CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – The College of Charleston’s Office of Institutional Diversity kicked off its Black History Month Signature Speaker Series this week.
The department has several Black professionals from various industries who will share their experiences and knowledge with students.
Department officials say the series will help prepare students for global society and to think big in terms of their careers.
Tuesday’s presentation covered the lack of diversity and underrepresentation in the health profession.
Organizers of the event say diversity in healthcare is crucial for promoting health equity, ensuring that everyone has the best chance at a healthy life. This includes having healthcare providers who reflect the diverse backgrounds of the communities they serve.
When patients see providers who look like them, it fosters trust and a sense of belonging, improving the overall healthcare experience, organizers say.
Additionally, diverse healthcare providers bring unique perspectives and experiences that can positively influence training, policy and practice within the healthcare system.
Dante Pelzer, a speaker at Tuesday night’s event, addressed what institutions and individuals can do to push students towards those healthcare goals, especially those from historically underrepresented groups.
He says the first step is to recognize that there is a gap when it comes to representation in healthcare.
“When we look at which jobs, do black folks have within health care? Really, that number skews because we see a lot of black representation in some of the lower paying, um, health care careers. In those careers don’t have the agency or power to make decisions that can’t impact practice and policy that can make things more inclusive and more accessible to a wider range of our populace,” Pelzer says.
Officials with the College of Charleston say supporting students through mentoring sponsorship and creating programs that are structured and intentional will put students on the pathway to success.
Pelzer also shares the importance of having non-black students present for today’s presentation.
“Allyship is so essential. Because we have students who represent the majority in that space one, they’re being educated, and maybe their eyes are open, and you know what, I didn’t know my peers had this experience… feel this way. So, getting that peer-to-peer education and getting educated by the speaker,” Pelzer says.
If you missed Tuesday night’s presentation, there are five more events scheduled in the series.
- Wednesday at 4-6 p.m. at the Septima Clark Memorial Auditorium
- Thursday at 3:15-4:15 p.m. at the School of Education Alumni Center
- Thursday from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the School of Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering Building
- Next Wednesday from 6-8 p.m. at the Education Center, Septima Clark Memorial Auditorium
- Next Thursday from 5-6 p.m. at the Rita Hollings Science Center
The series is free and open to the public.
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