Meet Black Dermatologist Dr. Kindred, MD, MBA and Learn One of the Ways She’s Helping Advance The Health of Black People in Maryland

Dr. Chesahna Kindred-Weaver is a board-certified dermatologist based in Howard County. She was raised in the Southern California area and got her BA from the University of Southern California. She got her MD and her MBA from the University of Cincinnati.

She is the founder of the Onyx Medical Society, which is an organization catered to Black Physicians in the Maryland area. She is also the Chair of the Dermatology section of the National Medical Association, which is the largest and oldest organization representing Black physicians in America. She is also a member of the Women’s Dermatological Society.

Beyond increasing opportunities and connections for minorities in the healthcare field, she also wants to increase positive health outcomes for Black individuals. She is the Chair of the African American Community Roundtable Health Committee which is hosting an upcoming Community Health Fair this upcoming June 22. We chatted with her to learn more about the fair and what it aims to accomplish is helping Black health in the immediate area.

What was the inspiration behind the fair?

MLK noted that of all the injustices in the country, the racial inequity in health care is the worst. I want organizations serious about black health to come together for a one stop shop. There will be a black cardiologist (Studies show that black patients are denied life-saving cardiac surgeries when their cardiologists are not black), a Black internist with his Latina physician partner (Black patients are more agent to treatment regimens when their doctor is Black), a Black dermatologist- me- (one word: hair), Black pediatricians (to talk about inspiring our kids!), Black psychiatrists (Black Male teens are the largest group committing suicide in Howard County), and more. Two hospitals and 2 large insurance companies will also be in attendance. Several fraternities and sororities have pitched in to help as well. This is about our health and I ain’t playin’. More specifically the theme this year is bringing awareness that our black teenage boys are committing suicide at a higher rate than their white counterparts and that the number of black teenage boys suicide is increasing. For everyone who trains and works with teens, we will be offering training on recognizing and how to deal with black teens contemplating suicide.

What types of health disparities do you see the most in the Howard County area (or Maryland at large)?

The group that commits suicide at the highest rate is Black teen males. The group that suffers the most from obesity are Black people. The group that has the highest incidence of diabetes are Black people.

Who are the people/groups behind planning the fair?

The Health Committee of the AACR, Celebration Church Health & Wellness ministry, the Iota Lambda Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, the Tau Pi chapter of Omega Psi Phi, the HBCU Alumni Alliance, and Chi Eta Phi Rho Chi Chi, a black nursing sorority.

How long have you all been planning for this fair? Is this the first year of its existence or is it an annual event?

This is the 2nd year of the fair.

What do you hope attendees can gain from this fair?

Right now we have to put out the fire. Right now we have to intervene in the number of black teenage boys committing suicide in Howard County. Secondly, I hope that we make a significant intervention in the health of each attendee. This may be someone taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer’s. Or a child who has little to no exposure to the Arts. We’re offering Dental screenings, blood pressure screenings, nutrition counseling, HIV screenings and so much more. There’s something here for everyone.

Where can people find out more information about the fair?

Information about the vendors and organizations present at the fair are included in the flyer below.