NEW YORK—Black Eyecare Perspective (BEP) and optometrists of the Black community are once again being intentional in their impact and on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, will create a pipeline for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and beyond to raise awareness and provide assistance to students to bring attention to the field  of optometry and the eyecare industry. The third Impact HBCU event will be livestreamed at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 18, and the group is looking to spread the word to prospective students around the country.

According to the 2021-2022 ASCO Annual Student Data Report, “The percentage of full-time Black or African American students increased to 4.0 percent from 3.4 percent last year, and from 2.8 percent five years ago.” 

This year’s event will feature a panel discussion with Drs. Janelle Davison (Smyrna, GA) and Devin Sasser (Silver Springs, MD) as well as the University of Pikeville, Kentucky College of Optometry. The theme will focus on how eyecare professionals make an impact in the lives of students, their communities, and their industry.

The Impact HBCU event is free for all students at any school to learn more about becoming a doctor of optometry. Registration details are posted here. Support for the Impact HBCU event is sponsored by Platinum Partners America's Best, MyEyeDr., and Warby Parker.
 
BEP offers the Black EyeCare Perspective pre-optometry club (BEPPOC) opportunities centering around community and connecting future professionals with a network of practicing optometrists as mentors. The club, which now has more than 120 students, represents more than 20 different states from more than 50 different colleges and universities.
 
Founded by optometrists Adam Ramsey, OD, and Darryl Glover, OD, Black EyeCare Perspective aims to cultivate and foster lifelong relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry. The board also includes Essence Johnson, OD, as chief visionary officer and Jacobi Cleaver, OD, as director of program management. Black EyeCare Perspective’s 13 Percent Promise initiative is a call for equity in the increase of Black representation in eyecare companies, schools and colleges of optometry and optometry boards.