Stand With Black Women

Leadership in women’s health means amplifying research, equity, and representation. Proud to see that in action at the Black Women in Clinical Research Conference. Too often, the conversation about women’s health leadership focuses on access and advocacy, both essential, but leaves out a critical piece of the story: representation in science itself.

The Black Women in Clinical Research Conference reminded me that true progress occurs when women who’ve been excluded from research, leadership, and decision-making positions are finally shaping the data, driving innovation, and leading conversations about care.

Black women are not only subjects of health data; we are producers of knowledge, innovators, and bridge builders. Our lived experience, cultural insight, and community relationships strengthen the integrity and relevance of women’s health research. That’s the story too few people tell.

As leaders, we have an obligation to ensure that every study, every policy, and every program reflects the diversity of the women we serve. That’s what equity looks like in practice, not as a statement, but as a structure.

I left this conference proud not just of the brilliant researchers and clinicians in the room, but of the network of women quietly pushing the field forward. Their work confirms what I’ve always believed: representation is a form of care.

Leadership isn’t about being visible for visibility’s sake; it’s about ensuring others are seen, heard, and valued. Standing with Black women isn’t a slogan; it’s a standard I choose to live by in every space I enter.