For Immediate Release
January 24, 2023
PALM BEACH GARDENS, FL – Black EyeCare Perspective has named Dr. Essence Johnson as the first Executive Director of the non-profit. Dr. Johnson has served as the organization’s Chief Visionary Officer and co-advises the Black EyeCare Perspective Pre-Optometry Club. Dr. Johnson, who assumed her new role at the start of the new year, will manage the day-to-day operations for Black EyeCare Perspective, who has impacted the eyecare profession by creating new avenues to recruit, engage and influence the next generation of eyecare professionals . As Executive Director, she will be responsible for further developing the organization’s strategic plan, staff and operational management, in addition to leading the marketing and fundraising programs and the organization’s projects and initiatives.
Black EyeCare Perspective, founded by optometrists Drs. Adam Ramsey and Darryl Glover, was designed, and created to cultivate and foster lifelong relationships between African Americans and the eyecare industry. Along with Dr. Jacobi Cleaver (Chief Program Officer), Dr. Tiffany Humes (Business Transformation Manager) and Samantha Wallen (Executive Assistant), Black EyeCare Perspective is redefining the color of the eyecare industry 1% at a time by creating a pipeline for Black students into optometry.
“Over the last few years, Black EyeCare Perspective has made a tremendous impact and grown exponentially. We thank and owe our growth to a solid and dedicated team, impactful strategic initiatives, and partnering with key industry partners. As a result of growth, It’s a pleasure and blessing to have Dr. Essence Johnson accept the Executive Director role at Black EyeCare Perspective. Dr. Johnson’s leadership skills, non-profit knowledge, and passion for increasing Black representation in eye care are the perfect solution to grow and scale our initiatives at Black EyeCare Perspective,” Dr. Darryl Glover.
About Black EyeCare Perspective
Black EyeCare Perspective (BEP) was designed and created to cultivate and foster lifelong relationships between African American eye care professionals and the eye care industry. BEP is creating awareness and changing the narrative of the role of optometry from a profession, provider and patient perspective. BEP is creating brave spaces and facilitating courageous conversations within the eye care community through diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. BEP is changing the mindset of the next generation of eye care professionals to impact the industry in ways we have yet to see. The Black Eye Care Perspective Pre-Optometry Club (BEPPOC) is the first nationally recognized pre-optometry club by the Associations of the Schools and Colleges of Optometry (ASCO) that was established in 2020 to ensure not a single, potential Black or African American student or optometrist is ignored, discouraged or disadvantaged. With a membership of over 130 Black future optometrists representing 76 unique undergraduate institutions, 20 being Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), 90% of the inaugural cohort matriculated into a school or college of optometry and was connected to over $100,000 in resources, scholarships and grants.
To learn more about Black EyeCare Perspective, their initiatives, BEPPOC and ways to support visit: www.blackeyecareperspective.com.
