WASHINGTON D.C.—At last week's Optometry's Meeting, the American Optometric Association's (AOA) board of trustees convened with the Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP) executive team for the first in-person gathering between the leaders, addressing the importance of moving the profession forward and action-oriented strategies to create opportunities for today and tomorrow’s Black optometrists, while working toward and building a robust applicant pool. The AOA announced that AOA president Ronald L. Benner, OD, on behalf of the organization, took an historic step, signing the 13% Promise with Black EyeCare Perspective leaders Adam Ramsey, OD, Darryl Glover, OD, Essence Johnson, OD, and Jacobi Cleaver, OD.

“This is an important moment for us because the AOA has been deliberate and thoughtful in everything we do when it comes to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in our profession, today and in the future,” said Dr. Benner. “Together in-person for the first time, we are joining the 13% Promise as part of the commitment the AOA is making to activate solutions to advance the profession. We take this partnership and our DEI work seriously, and we look forward to deeper collaboration with Black EyeCare Perspective.”

BEP's Dr. Adam Ramsey told VMAIL, "We are thankful and appreciative to be part of this very important moment with the AOA. Signing the 13% Promise will help bring about a new future in eyecare. We hope the spirit of this pledge will also move through states and communities across the country to develop a better path forward. We're grateful for all of our partners, those now and in the future, to help bring about change in the profession of eyecare."
     

AOA president Dr. Ronald Benner (c), with the signed 13% Promise pledge with (l to r) Black EyeCare Perspective's Darryl Glover, OD, Essence Johnson, OD, Adam Ramsey, OD, and Jacobi Cleaver, OD.

The AOA Board of Trustees convened with the Black EyeCare Perspective Executive Team for the first in-person gathering between the leaders.


 
 
The signed statement.