What is Black Men in White Coats?

In 2015, the Association of American Medical Colleges published “Altering the Course: Black Males in Medicine” which noted that despite the increase in medical school graduates and diversity efforts over the past 40 years, the number of Black men in medicine has remained stagnant. Black Men in White Coats (BMiWC) is a national organization that was created to address this glaring inequity. The Emory chapter of Black Men In White Coats was created in 2021 to specifically address this health inequity to Emory and the broader Atlanta community.

Black Men in White Coats’ Impact

While the absolute number of medical school matriculants in the United States has drastically increased between 1997 and 2017, the percentage of matriculants who are defined as Black men has decreased by 16%. This equity gap will continue to widen without sustained, systemic intervention that focuses on increasing access and retention for underrepresented minorities in the medical field.

Since our inception, BMiWC Emory has focused on addressing this gap by strengthening our Support and Outreach pillars through various initiatives.

We actualize our Outreach Pillar through various initiatives. We host a BMiWC symposium for the greater Atlanta community for underrepresented premedical students in the Atlanta University Center (AUC), Georgia Tech, Emory, and Georgia State to connect with doctors who can mentor them on their journey towards becoming a physician. The symposium includes panels, speakers, and a suture lab for the students to gain the best chance at understanding the full range of what a successful, underrepresented physician can be. BMiWC Emory also sends its members to underserved elementary, middle and high schools across Atlanta to show young students doctors who share their background.

Through our Support Pillar, BMiWC ensures that its members at Emory do not feel isolated as they pursue their goals to be a physician. We initiated a longitudinal STEP 1 program to support M2s who are preparing to take the exam and have monthly virtual check-ins to ensure that our members have a safe space to discuss their experiences, failures and successes throughout medical school. Each quarter we host an in-person kickback to relax, eat, and catch up on each other’s lives. Our advisor has an open-door policy, regularly hosting the kickbacks and providing helpful advice to all years going through Emory.  

The Impact of Your Gift

In the 2023 Independent Student Analysis Survey that queried facets of medical education for Emory University School of Medicine entering classes 2019-2022, over half of survey respondents who identified as Black required need-based aid from Emory. No other demographic comes close to demonstrating as much need-based aid intervention. By donating to BMiWC Scholarship initiative, you become a changemaker for URiMs in medicine, the Atlanta community, and the world. 100% of your donation goes toward the scholarship formation for incoming medical students who have demonstrated longitudinal investment in addressing health gaps and who are Underrepresented in Medicine. Your donation directly addresses the health inequity in our own communities, and every dollar fights to level the playing field for these young professionals who face a disproportionate financial burden in completing their medical education. By supporting future physicians already invested in serving the underserved in their career, your donation supports both this immediate generation and generations to come.