As health disparities in the Black community remain severe, and, in some cases, continue to worsen, many wellness experts and advocates note the importance of increasing representation of Black health care providers.
For instance, while Black infants in the U.S. face a mortality rate 2.4 times higher than non-Hispanic whites (Office of Minority Health, 2022), research shows that a 10% increase in Black primary care physicians (PCP) can boost life expectancy in the Black community by an estimated 31 days.
With Black physicians accounting for only 5.7% of doctors nationwide, and a push for more diversity in health and medicine to improve equity and outcomes in African American communities, a number of innovative programs and organizations are working to grow this talent pipeline and tighten the gap.
“Giving students insight into the workforce helps them consider career options and become stronger students,” said District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) Chancellor Lewis D. Ferebee, who has been integral in expanding the DCPS Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. “Many may not know all the opportunities around them—I want to close that gap.”
DCPS CTE Jump-Starts Health Careers
Under Ferebee’s leadership, CTE has grown substantially, giving thousands of students access to explore a diverse range of career pathways.
“I’m proud we’ve seen a 64% increase in CTE enrollment,” Ferebee told The Informer. “Participation is important.”
Almost half of the students in the District currently participate in a CTE program. From health care and architecture to hospitality and sports, students get to explore a variety of opportunities and build the skills they need to succeed beyond graduation.
Masaley Kargbo, director of the Academy of Health Sciences at Calvin Coolidge Senior High School, said her school’s program works “to make sure minorities can see themselves in a health care career.”
“There are opportunities for them to take the classes, get mentorship, and participate in internships so that they can see what’s possible for themselves,” she told The Informer.
Kargbo noted 95% of students in the Coolidge health sciences program pursue post-secondary health careers.
The program director recounted a recent graduate who, despite challenges, earned a full scholarship to Marymount University, where he’ll study forensics.
“He had experienced some challenges with family and coming to the country with language barriers,” she said. “He graduated and is maximizing his opportunities.”
Looking to the future, Ferebee expressed his commitment to continually improving CTE programs, ensuring they keep pace with the changing workforce and D.C.’s ambitions as a tech hub.
“We want to be ahead of the curve and make sure our students are ready for whatever comes next,” Ferebee said.
Future Kings Mentors Tomorrow’s STEM Leaders
Future Kings, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Dr. Arik King in 2010, is dedicated to supporting boys of color from economically challenged communities. This year-round, after-school program helps young men in grades 6–12 from underserved areas discover careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
King’s career began as an electronics technician in the Air Force before moving into computer networking and eventually starting his own business.
“I sold that business and became a teacher because I saw a need for more Black men in the classroom,” he told The Informer.
His experiences teaching in Prince William County fueled his drive to create Future Kings.
“I was teaching at a Title I middle school, and I was just amazed at how many of the Black and Hispanic boys had already given up on themselves,” he continued. “I just couldn’t sit there and not do something.”
Today, Future Kings, with its dedicated team of mentors and professionals, serves 130 minority youth each year through experiential programs hosted on college campuses. King believes early intervention is crucial, emphasizing that when students are given the right tools and confidence in their abilities, they rise to the occasion—but that support must start early.
The nonprofit founder recalls a student from a low-income background who thrived in Future King’s COVID research project, ultimately earning a full ride to Johns Hopkins.
“As a freshman, he was already on a virology research team. That doesn’t happen unless you’re really prepared,” King explained.
Through his organization, King hopes to uncover untapped talent.
“There are a lot of hidden geniuses out there—kids who are B and C students not because they’re not smart, but because they’ve never been shown their potential,” said King. “That’s who we’re after.”
George Washington University’s DC HAPP Expands Access to Medicine
Local universities are also stepping up to diversify the talent pipeline in health and medicine.
George Washington University’s School of Medicine and Health Sciences launched the DC Health and Academic Prep Program (DC HAPP) to expand access to health careers for underrepresented students.
“Many of our scholars are unaware of the full range of careers in health care, or they assume they are out of reach,” said Jalina Booker, director of DC HAPP. “We prioritize early exposure to a variety of health-related fields to ensure we increase their understanding and knowledge of all the career paths available.”
DC HAPP has a unique approach to its program.
“What truly sets DC HAPP apart is its broad view of health care. The program goes beyond a traditional focus on becoming a physician,” Booker continued. “DC HAPP scholars are introduced to a diverse range of health professions—from occupational therapy and physician assistant roles to public health, speech-language pathology, midwifery, and laboratory sciences.”
Booker shared that the program envisions young people from diverse backgrounds walking into college classrooms and hospitals with confidence, fully aware of the opportunities available to them.
“Every scholar who steps into this program carries the potential to return to their communities as future clinicians, advocates, and leaders,” she said.
DC HAPP empowers students to believe those careers are attainable.
”At its core, DC HAPP is about more than just academic or professional exposure; it’s about mentoring the whole student,” said Booker. “All aspects of our program are curated to build our scholars’ emotional resilience and confidence that will serve them far beyond the summer.”