Black People Like Me Virtual Conference Series
Welcome to Allergy & Asthma Network’s Black People Like Me virtual conference series
Join us for virtual conferences as we address ongoing disparities and barriers to care for the Black community living with allergic, respiratory, and skin diseases.
Session 6: A Closer Look at Food Allergies in the Black Community

Allergy & Asthma Network presents a Black People Like Me free virtual conference on overcoming barriers in food allergy management in the Black community. In this session, we will:
- provide effective strategies for symptom management.
- explore how food allergy reactions appear on various skin tones;
- examine the underlying mechanisms of food allergies;
Food allergies often trigger skin reactions that can present differently depending on skin color. We’ll clarify confusing terminology around food allergies and their potential connection to immune system responses, which can sometimes mimic or overlap with autoimmune reactions. Attendees will learn about the Black community’s need for more inclusive images featuring diverse skin tones, ages, and genders.
Dr. Carla Davis will discuss how to identify possible food allergens as root causes of symptoms. This way you are not just treating the reactions but understanding why chronic food allergies occur even when a “known trigger” isn’t readily identified. Moderator and patient advocate Sherrina Gibson will share her lived experience and personal journeys with food allergies.
Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into food allergy diagnosis, management, and the important work being done to address health disparities in food allergy care and recognition.
Free Virtual Conference: June 4, 2025| 4:00 PM ET
In this virtual conference, you will:
- Learn how underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis of food allergies uniquely affect individuals in the Black community.
- Discover why more diverse images of food allergy reactions are needed to improve recognition across different skin tones, ages, and genders.
- Explore how food allergies are often mistaken for other conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis) or digestive disorders, leading to delays in proper care.
- Understand why many patients push back on the idea of “unexplained symptoms” and want clearer answers about what specific foods are triggering their reactions.
- Find out why identifying the root cause of food allergies is just as important as treating the symptoms.
- Hear personal stories about living with food allergies and the power of self-advocacy in the healthcare system.
CE is not available for this event.
Speakers:

Carla Davis, MD — Physician Speaker
Dr. Carla M. Davis received her undergraduate degree in Chemical Engineering from Howard University and her medical degree from Duke University. She completed her pediatrics residency and allergy/immunology fellowship at Baylor College of Medicine and is currently a Professor of Pediatrics. She is the current Chair of Pediatrics and Child Health at Howard University College of Medicine.
Dr. Davis is focused on improving the quality of life for infants, children, and adolescents with allergic and immunologic diseases, most specifically food allergy, writing over 120 publications in the medical literature on these topics. She has been an NIH funded investigator with expertise in translational research studies for assessment of clinical tolerance to allergic disease and the identification of clinical biomarkers.
Her interest is the expansion of the current treatments through clinical trials and community educational and access initiatives. She has >20 years of experience in clinical care and performing clinical, educational, and translational research in allergic diseases and >5 years of experience in academic leadership and access initiatives. She led legislative initiatives in school districts in Texas and published epidemiologic studies to define shellfish allergy.
She is the recent recipient of the Floyd Malveaux Award from the National Medical Association, awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence in research, education, and clinical practice in the areas of allergy and asthma. She is a leader on the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology executive committee. She is passionate about providing compassionate care to her patients and families.

Sherrina Gibson — Moderator & Patient Speaker
Sherrina Gibson is the CEO of Carter Consulting, a Black woman-founded firm helping health-focused organizations use data to drive community change. With a background in strategy and analytics, she has supported over 100 health nonprofits and public agencies. Sherrina is also a passionate food allergy advocate and leads the Richmond Food Allergy Support Group in Virginia.
All attendees will be offered a certificate of attendance. No other continuing education credit is provided.
Who Should Attend?
- Patients, caregivers, and family members affected by eczema
- Healthcare professionals and advocates interested in health equity
- Anyone seeking to understand or reduce health disparities in their community
The first 100 patients or caregivers living in the United States and Puerto Rico who register and attend the full virtual conference presentation are eligible to receive a $25 gift card.
You must live in the United States or Puerto Rico and provide a valid address and phone number to receive the gift card.
The registration information is only for Allergy & Asthma Network use and will not be shared with any outside organizations including government agencies or pharmaceutical companies.
If you are unable to attend, still register! We will send a link to you after the event so you can view the on-demand recording.
Special thanks to Genentech for providing funding support to make this webinar possible.
Session 5: Chronic Urticaria in the Black Community: More than Hives
Recording
On May 1, 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Black People Like Me virtual conference on chronic urticaria disparities and barriers to care in the Black community. The session addressed how chronic urticaria (also known as chronic hives) appears on different skin tones, its root causes, and effective treatment and management strategies.
What we covered
- A closer look at disparities in care that impact the health and quality of life of the Black community.
- Dr. Nicole Negbenebor, a dermatologic surgeon, explained why under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of urticaria are common and uniquely affect the Black community.
- How chronic urticaria is often mistaken for other skin conditions like eczema (atopic dermatitis), leading to delays in proper care.
- Why more diverse images of hives are needed to improve recognition across different skin tones.
- Why identifying the root cause of chronic urticaria is just as important as treating the symptoms.
- Chronic urticaria patient Emmeka “Meka” Hawkins provided insight into living with chronic urticaria and how we can advocate for more inclusive care and better representation for people of color living with chronic skin conditions.
Resources
- Chronic Urticaria Toolkit
- Management Strategies for Chronic Urticaria
- Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
- What are Hives?
- Podcast: Challenges in Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Urticaria in Skin of Color
- Podcast: A Patient’s Experience with Chronic Urticaria in Skin of Color
- Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Special thanks to Genentech and Novartis for providing funding support to make this webinar possible.
Session 4: Eczema Care in the Black Community: Empowerment Through Shared Decision-Making
Recording
On Feb. 11, 2025, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Black People Like Me virtual conference addressing barriers in patient-doctor communication in eczema care and empowering the Black community in disease management.
What we covered
- Ama Alexis, MD, discussed why eczema disparities persist and explored how patients and doctors can collaborate to foster more empathetic, patient-centered care.
- How under-diagnosis and misdiagnosis of eczema uniquely affect people in the Black community.
- Practical tips to prepare for doctor appointments, speak up effectively, and ensure your concerns are fully addressed.
- Gregg Clark Jr., MA, APCC, shared why mental health support, especially in communities that are underserved, is essential for holistic care.
- How shared decision-making with your doctor can help you navigate medication options and insurance hurdles.
Resources
- EczemaInSkinofColor.org
- Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
- What is Eczema?
- What is Shared Decision-Making?
- Eczema Patient Resources (including videos and podcasts addressing skin of color)
Special thanks to Incyte, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 3: Addressing COPD in the Black Community – Risks, Resources, and Health Equity
Recording
On Nov. 5, 2024, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Black People Like Me virtual conference to address the disparities and barriers to care for the Black community living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
What we covered
- Dr. Cedric “Jamie” Rutland, MD addressed COPD and its disproportionate impact on the Black community. He provided insight on how COPD impacts overall health and quality of life.
- We learned how COPD is diagnosed – and also too often under-diagnosed in the Black Community.
- Speakers provided education on managing and treating COPD, including new medications.
- We heard from a person living with COPD – Misako Bonner – who shared her experiences.
- How to advocate for yourself or a family member living with COPD.
Resources
- What is COPD?
- BiologicMeds.org
- Ask the Allergist Video: Is It Asthma or COPD? Or Both?
- Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Special thanks to Genentech and Viatris who have provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.
Session 2: Addressing Barriers in Food Allergies and Empowering the Black Community
Recording
What we covered
- Food allergy disparities, the burden on the Black community, and how to achieve health equity, from board-certified allergist Dr. Nancy Joseph.
- How food allergies are often misdiagnosed or under-diagnosed in the Black community.
- How to manage food allergies at social events, such as family gatherings.
- We heard directly from a person living with food allergies – Thomas Silvera – who shared experiences, including how to handle severe allergic reactions to food.
- How to advocate for yourself or a family member living with food allergies.
Resources
- What are Food Allergies?
- Living with Food Allergies
- Food Allergy Treatment and Management
- Mental Health and Food Allergies
- Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
Special thanks to Genentech, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible
Session 1: Addressing Barriers in Eczema and Empowering the Black Community
Recording
On April 9, 2024, Allergy & Asthma Network presented this Black People Like Me virtual conference to address the disparities and barriers to care for the Black community living with eczema.
What we covered
- Dr. Nancy Joseph explained how eczema looks different on skin of color. She discussed what symptoms to look for, how to know when symptoms are worsening, and treatment options.
- Speakers discussed how to prepare for a doctor’s visit to discuss eczema.
- We heard directly from people living with eczema who shared experiences, including how the condition has affected mental health.
- Catherine Blackwell, RN, discussed how the Black community can get involved in research.
Resources
- EczemaInSkinofColor.org
- Health Equity in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
- What is Eczema?
- Eczema Patient Resources (including videos and podcasts addressing skin of color)
Special thanks to Incyte, who has provided funding support to make this virtual conference possible.