Dr. Essence Johnson, Chief Visionary Officer at Black Eye Care Perspective

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. This year’s event will take place virtually on Tuesday, October 18 at 7:30 pm EST and feature a panel discussion with Drs. Janelle Davison and Devin Sasser 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. 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.

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), Jacobi Cleaver (Chief Program Officer) and Tiffany Humes (Business Transformation Manager), Black EyeCare Perspective is redefining the color of the eyecare industry 1% at a time by creating a pipeline for Black students into optometry. According to the 2021-2022 ASCO Annual Student Data Report, “The percentage of full-time Black or African American students increased to 4.0% from 3.4% last year, and from 2.8% five years ago.”

Visit Black EyeCare Perspective to learn more about their initiatives, and ways to support them.