Young Black Pharma

At Chiesi USA, we are committed to fostering diversity and innovation, and our recent participation in the Young Black Pharma 2024 Conference & Gala was a testament to this dedication.?? ? Our colleagues Devechio Edwards, DMSc, MBA, PA-C; Renadin Siagat, PharmD, PhD, MEd, BCRCP, CTTS; Emily Buckley Dana Waters, MSOL; Esther Owusu-Flannery; Anthony Compton; and Dylan Young immersed themselves in impactful discussions around representation, networking, and DEI initiatives in Washington, D.C.? ? The conference provided invaluable insights into how diverse perspectives drive industry innovation and how personal growth and networking can lead to substantial career advancements. We're excited to integrate these learnings as we continue to champion diversity and inclusion within the pharmaceutical sector.? ? A heartfelt thank you to our attendees for bringing back such significant lessons and for reinforcing our vision of an inclusive and progressive work environment. Together, we strive to make a lasting impact!? ? Learn more about this event: https://lnkd.in/gVKVrsXK? ? #Chiesi_USA #LifeinChiesi #ThePlacetoBe #YBP2024 #DiversityInPharma

This past weekend many industry colleagues attended Young Black Pharma. The meeting was a dynamic environment to learn … grow … and create meaningful connections. I was honored to take part in a panel with Erica Taylor, Ph.D., Squire Servance and Mnwabisi Mbangata, PharmD, RPh. We were joined by a host of exceptional speakers including including Rodney Gillespie (He/His/Him) and Ken Frazier. Most importantly, I was inspired by the people. Shoutout to the YBP founders for a spectacular event!

Still in awe of the wealth of knowledge, insight, and inspiration at Young Black Pharma (YBP) earlier this month. YBP’s mission to CULTIVATE, INSPIRE, and CONNECT resonated throughout each session. If I had to summarize my experience in one phrase, it would be ‘Empowered to make an impact.’ Thank you, Sanofi for sponsoring and wholeheartedly supporting my personal and professional development. It was an honor to attend such an impactful conference. Special shoutout to Paul Rowe, MD, ATSF and Brian Foard for their candid conversation on shaping the future of healthcare with a focus on health equity, AI, and innovation. I am excited to be part of an organization that tackles these critical issues head-on. To Ted W. Love, MD, former President and CEO of GBT, thank you for the reminder that tough days do not last. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” Thank you to YBP for creating this community, and to all the incredible professionals I met and reconnected with. Let’s keep pushing boundaries, challenging norms, and bringing our full selves to the table. The future of healthcare is brighter because of leaders like US, and I’m grateful to be on this journey together.

This month, members of our #BlueCrew attended annual conferences for Women of Color in Pharma (WOCIP) and Young Black Pharma, two groups that work to elevate the voices of people of color in the life sciences industry. We're committed to investing in development opportunities for people from marginalized or underrepresented communities, ensuring diverse talent across the #BlueCrew is celebrated and everyone has access to professional development opportunities.

I had the opportunity to attend the Young Black Pharma Conference and Gala in Washington, DC, at the start of November. Reflecting on the conference and going through my notes, I see that I received far more than I had expected. This realization has inspired me to provide a summary of my time at the conference. Beginning with our keynote speaker, Ted W. Love, MD, it was great to hear about his journey and perseverance. Many good leaders can tell you how they achieved career success, but great leaders can give you the roadmap of what it takes to achieve this. I was truly grateful to hear from a great leader in the pharmaceutical industry. Reflecting back on the various sessions, I learned about betting on yourself in every facet of your career. Every session taught me a little about different parts of the journey within the industry. It was great to hear leaders talk about their career journeys, mental health, being your authentic selves at work, and how to have some nuanced conversations in the industry. Lastly, hearing from the former Merck CEO Kenneth C. Frazier during the fireside chat was nothing less than inspiring. From stories about the real conversations that occur behind the doors to touching on the importance of sponsors, I walked away with everything I needed in an hour. Hearing about performance and relationship currency and their impact on career progression was truly transformative. It was inspiring to learn from an industry leader who has reached the same goals I aim to achieve I would like to thank Dawn Bey, PharmD, MBA, Marissa West, PharmD, RPh, and the rest of the Young Black Pharma leadership for an exceptional conference. This experience truly rejuvenated me about my career and the pharmaceutical industry's future.

Thank you Young Black Pharma for organizing a conference that was not only informative and engaging (not a single boring session!) but also felt like a heartwarming family reunion—reconnecting with classmates and colleagues I hadn’t seen in years. Rarely do you meet someone who has impacted so many lives, inspired countless others, and genuinely cares about uplifting everyone around them. Ted W. Love, MD, thank you for accepting YBP’s invitation to inspire and encourage us, thoughtfully answering our questions, and of course, taking all those pictures ??. Your words left a lasting impact, and I walked away with those incredible takeaways: ? Believe in myself ? Own what I do? ? Don’t linger in self-pity ? Life is a journey And the unforgettable advice: “Live your life in thirds.”? I’m already manifesting the day you write that book because the stories you shared deserve to fill its pages.?? Grateful for the experience and ready to embrace the journey ahead.?Will attend next year's Young Black Pharma conference ?? #Gratitude #Inspiration #Manifesting #ConferenceReflection

When I first began my career in medicine, it was not uncommon for me to find myself as the only person of color in the room. As I have climbed the proverbial 'corporate ladder' this unfortunately still often rings true. The difference was, and though improving, stark. Based on 2023 data from the Association of American Medical Colleges, only 5% of physicians identify as Black. One role model I looked to since the start of my educational training as an intern at Merck was Kenneth C. Frazier, the former CEO of Merck and a prolific Black trailblazer in Pharma. He set a powerful example for me by demonstrating excellence in executive leadership as a person of color. Earlier this month in Washington, D.C. at the Young Black Pharma (YBP) 3rd annual conference, Ken delivered the keynote session. He shared an important reminder that the key to unlocking your fullest potential comes down to embracing a growth mindset, learning strategies that cultivate influence and self-advocacy, and understanding that resilience comes from owning your beliefs and daily actions. YBP, a non-profit organization founded in 2016, originated out of a small group chat of likeminded individuals and has now grown into a powerful community that's reshaping our industry. Accompanied by over 50 Sanofians, Brian Foard and I had the privilege to be part of conversations that went beyond giving practical, individualized career advice– they tackled crucial issues like health equity, AI's role in healthcare, clinical trial diversity, and building trust within underserved communities. Looking around the session rooms, I saw hundreds of Black professionals sharing their experiences, building connections, and crafting solutions for tomorrow's healthcare challenges. I felt both humbled and inspired as this is the future I hoped for when I started my career – where diversity isn't just a metric, but a driving force for innovation and better healthcare outcomes. To all the professionals I met at YBP- your energy and vision are exactly what our industry needs. Keep pushing boundaries, asking tough questions, and bringing your full selves to this important work. The path may not always be easy, but your presence and perspective are invaluable and remember ALWAYS bet on yourself. The future of healthcare is brighter because of organizations like YBP and the incredible professionals who make up this community grounded in helping to grow, mentor, and innovate together. Thank you to the YBP team and everyone who represented Sanofi with pride and purpose. Let's continue to be mentors and advocates along our journey to achieve a shared vision of diversity at Sanofi and across Pharma where modernized Health Equity is not just an aspiration, but a realized commitment.

I had an amazing time at the Young Black Pharma Conference. I left energized and inspired! This event brought together passionate and talented Black professionals in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries who shared their insights, stories, and support that I found to be truly impactful. A huge thank you to the founders, organizers, speakers, and fellow attendees who made this year’s conference unforgettable. I can’t wait for next year! #YoungBlackPharma ##DiversityInHealthcare #CareerGrowth

I can’t believe it’s been a week since I attended the 3rd annual Young Black Pharma Conference with over 600 attendees. Thank you to the founders of YBP for providing a safe space to connect and network with old and new faces! It was such a joy to reconnect with my pharmacy classmates, meet Ken Frazier, former CEO of Merck, and meet new colleagues whom I plan to stay connected with throughout my Pharma career journey. I walked away feeling hopeful and inspired to continue my walk in being a purpose driven leader and patient advocate ?? #YBP #HUSOP #MerckProud

I have spent my career working in life sciences and biotech because I wanted to make a difference for people. Making advances in medicine is an important way to accomplish that goal—but it’s not the only one. Supporting other passionate people and sharing knowledge and insight with them is another. That is exactly why I was so honored to speak at Young Black Pharma’s Third Annual Conference and Gala this past weekend. It was also wonderful to connect with my friend Bert Bruce, US President of Rare Disease at Pfizer, who brought his insights to one of the event’s panels. ? #YBP is a special organization creating connections and community for Black professionals in pharma and biotech. While I was there to share my own experiences, I came away inspired by the people I met, the questions they asked, and the future they represent. ? Thank you, Young Black Pharma, for inviting me to speak. I am heartened to see that this special industry, where we can change lives for the better, is in good hands.?