Black People Like Me Virtual Conference Series

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

Special thanks to Genentech for providing funding support to make this webinar possible.