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In a world facing the challenges of health inequities, underrepresentation, and systemic imbalances, a visionary leader is building bridges where there were once barriers. Dr. Duclas Charles is a first-generation Haitian-American pharmacist, community builder, and social entrepreneur. He is the founder of Black Health Connect (BHC), the largest intergenerational, interdisciplinary, international network of Black healthcare professionals in the world.
Black Health Connect is more than a network; it’s a revolution in the making from a grassroots idea to a global movement.
A Movement Born from Purpose
Dr. Duclas Charles didn’t wait for institutional support to make his vision a reality. In the absence of funding, formal partnerships, or large-scale infrastructure, he launched Black Health Connect with a single mission: to create a space where Black healthcare professionals don’t just survive, they thrive.
What began as an empty room has grown into a thriving ecosystem of over 30,000 professionals in 24 US cities and four countries. It is redefining what it means to build community in an industry long characterized by disparities and underrepresentation: healthcare.
A Global Community With Local Impact
The Black Health Connect influence is very broad, although very personal, with members across medicine, policy, pharmacy, tech, and public health. Career mentorship and thought leadership panels leverage the network to educate, connect, and empower its members. Monthly meetups, workshops, and virtual convenings allow for meaningful collaboration across disciplines in medicine, policy, pharmacy, tech, and public health.
BHC’s influence culminates in an annual flagship event— the Bridging Healthcare Communities Conference held in Washington, D.C. It started out as a small meeting and has now evolved into a four-day event with more than 500 participants, including changemakers, C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and students. It is a feat of legacy leadership and advancement in Black health.
With the 2025 conference coming up, the group aims to double attendance and take programming to new levels. The message is clear: Black Health Connect is here to stay—and it’s only getting stronger.
Overcoming the Odds: A Solo Founder’s Journey
Making a global movement from nothing was not without problems. As a lone founder, Dr. Charles balanced event planning, community management, and building partnerships, often with few resources and no institutional capital.
“Scaling without infrastructure was incredibly difficult,” he reflects. “But the belief in the mission and the power of community kept us moving.” That belief has been rewarded. BHC now partners with leading hospitals, health systems, and brands seeking to connect with and support Black talent in healthcare. Dr. Charles has become a respected voice in the industry, speaking nationally on health equity, medical cannabis, and the future of community-led innovation.
His leadership has won him honors, including the 2025 Minority Pharmacist Entrepreneur of the Year Award, The Gathering Spot DC’s Trailblazer Award, and MIPAD recognition as one of the Most Influential People of African Descent.
The BHC Blueprint: Lessons in Leadership
Dr. Charles often says, “Community building is not about hosting events; it's about designing ecosystems.” This has driven the success of BHC and is the principle at its core.
He shares many insights with aspiring leaders, among them:
- Representation is not the end but the beginning. For real impact, you need investment, infrastructure, and influence.
- Legacy is about collaboration, not competition. Community is the currency of transformation.
- You don’t have to wait for perfect conditions to get started; perfect circumstances will only delay necessary work.
What’s Next: Scaling Impact for Global Reach
BHC has outlined an aggressive growth plan over the next three to five years that includes:
- Expansion to 30+ U.S. cities and 10+ countries, with an emphasis on connecting healthcare professionals across the diaspora.
- Launch of a digital platform for career development, mentorship, and peer networking.
- Expanding the annual conference to 2,000+ participants and hosting satellite events in international cities.
- Become a channel for brands and institutions seeking to connect with diverse professionals in healthcare and wellness.
Reclaiming Space in a Critical Moment
At a time when public health outcomes and systemic inequities disproportionately impact the Black community, the work of Black Health Connect could not be more critical. BHC creates pathways for care excellence and equity, empowerment from the front lines of care to the boardrooms of decision-making.
The 2025 Bridging Healthcare Communities Conference will be a major step in that path. It is located in Washington, D.C., and it is supposed to be an event where new ideas, brave leadership, and life-changing connections happen.
With every new member and with every new city, Black Health Connect moves closer to its ultimate vision: a world where Black healthcare professionals are seen, supported, and celebrated, not for who they are but for the future they help build.
The Power of Conference and Gala
Scheduled for fall 2025 in Washington, D.C., the BHC Conference is more than just a meeting—it’s a four-day convening of thought leaders, disruptors, community architects, and the future builders of health equity. What started out as a passion project has now evolved into a nationally recognized platform for empowerment and transformation.
This year’s program will include keynotes, policy roundtables, skill-building workshops, a career fair, and immersive networking experiences. It culminates in the anticipated BHC Honors Gala — an evening celebration of Black excellence, honoring trailblazers advancing equity, representation, and innovation in healthcare.
“The conference is where our values become action,” says Dr. Charles. “It’s where inspiration meets infrastructure, and where the community we’re building comes to life.”
At the 2025 BHC Conference, an extraordinary roster of speakers and influencers will lead the charge in redefining leadership across the health ecosystem. Confirmed speakers include:
- Dr. Judith Joseph
- Dr. Jay Barnett
- Dr. Anthony Estreet
- Kimberly Seals Allers
- Monica Carter
- Lydia Isaac
- Walter Oronsaye
- Hassan Tetteh
- Basil Smikle
- Kier Gaines
- Mary Stutts
- Dr. Imamu Tomlinson
This lineup reflects the depth and diversity of BHC’s commitment—to excellence, community, and accountability.
Join the Movement
To learn more about Black Health Connect, join the network, or secure registrations for the 2025 BHC Conference, visit their website .
Follow Black Health Connect and Dr. Duclas Charles on Instagram for updates, inspiration, and opportunities to collaborate.
