Black Lives DO Matter

Abstract

Recent Black deaths at the hands of law enforcement officers has heightened awareness of racism within the United States. The consequences of this racism are not only differential policing practices toward Black people, but also inequities related to numerous other sectors including housing, education, economics, and overt health care disparities between White and non-White Americans. Health care practitioners, including pharmacists, are extremely well positioned to be leaders in addressing long standing inequities, thereby saving lives and improving access to and quality of care. The views of two senior faculty administrators are outlined, one being a White faculty member of privilege, while the other is a Black faculty member CEO Dean. Despite having very different life experiences, they partner to foster unity and an antiracist culture within their institution and among their many stakeholders, with the ultimate goal of creating a culture of equity regardless of skin color.