We are always delighted when we see evidence that the field of skin of color dermatology is blossoming and growing! So, as we commemorate the 15th anniversary of the Skin of Color Society (SOCS), as well as the 20th anniversary of the Skin of Color Center at Mount. Sinai-St. Luke’s in NYC, we now have yet another cause for celebration over the news that a skin of color dermatology clinic has recently been established at the University of California—San Francisco… and it’s headed up by SOCS member Jenna Lester, MD.
Dr. Lester is a young dermatologist with great vision, a strong sense of purpose and a true passion for helping others. She comes from a family of African American women who have dedicated their lives to medicine: Her grandmother, Ruby Brangman, became a nurse practitioner during the 1970s— one of the first black women in her profession in New York State. A generation later, Dr. Lester’s mother, Sharon Brangman, MD, became a doctor of geriatric medicine. Inspired by these role models, Dr. Lester pursued her own path in dermatology, after completing her undergraduate education at Harvard University, followed by her medical degree from Brown University.
Did you know that many Skin of Color Society leaders throughout our 15-year history also serve in leadership roles in other major dermatologic organizations, as well as other important public roles in health, medicine and the community? 
We proudly recognize that active involvement in SOCS provides unique opportunities for members to serve and contribute, develop leadership skills, gain meaningful growth experiences, benefit from mentors and from mentoring, and hone communication abilities as leaders—all in a highly supportive, dynamic atmosphere. In reality, SOCS serves as a leadership accelerator—giving members exciting and rewarding experiences that poise them for other leadership roles in larger organizations and within their own practices, institutions, communities and the global profession of dermatology.
Mentor Janiene D. Luke, MD, (left) with mentee Melanie E. Tawfik, MD.
Thanks to support from Procter & Gamble, the Skin of Color Society was able to send members Janiene D. Luke, MD, as mentor, and Melanie E. Tawfik, MD, as mentee, to the 17th Annual Procter & Gamble Science Behind Symposium (also known as the Dermatology Technology Symposium) recently held at the company headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio.
In commemorationoftheSkin ofColorSociety’s 15thanniversary, SOCSFounder Susan C.Taylor,MD shareshermemoriesaboutestablishingtheorganization,and thoughtsaboutitsgrowthand evolutioneversince…