The Ron Brown Scholar Program was created in 1996 to honor the legacy of Ronald H. Brown, the first African American Secretary of Commerce. The Program provides undergraduate scholarships, mentoring, and networking opportunities for intellectually gifted, service-oriented African American youth from challenging personal backgrounds. Currently, there are 295 Ron Brown Scholars and Alumni; 99% are attending or have graduated from top universities; 11% are currently physicians or allied health care professionals who have studied at America’s most prestigious medical schools and universities—pretty amazing! Why is this significant and what does it say about our Scholars and our Program?

African Americans compose roughly 13% of the US population, but only about 4% of U.S. physicians. Studies have indicated that many minority doctors are inclined to serve members of their own ethnicity and the poor; those whose health care needs are critically underserved. Thus, given the needs that exist and the disposition of Ron Brown Scholars to serve, the potential impact of RBS physicians and health professionals is profound.

In addition to the pressing need for more minority doctors and health care professionals in the medical workforce, the ripple effects of such high-level attainment by people who have come from oppressive personal backgrounds  generates important and far-reaching consequences For example, African American physicians are potent role models and mentors for youngsters who  dream of careers of medicine but don’t believe it is within their reach. Each RBS in medicine has had mentors who have made all the difference in their own life stories. The Ron Brown Scholarship Program has been blessed by amazing professionals who have inspired, encouraged, and generally been the “wind beneath their wings” for each of our RBS—in medicine as in all fields of endeavor.  Their devotion and dollars are bringing so many hopes to fruition.