SOCS Mission: To promote awareness of and excellence within skin of color dermatology through research, education, mentorship and advocacy. We are committed to increasing diversity and inclusion in the field of dermatology to advance patient care.
MENTORSHIP: We value mentorship as a leadership development tool to foster a diverse workforce at all levels, developing and empowering future leaders in the field.
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We are proud to continue a groundbreaking initiative, the SOCS Center for Leadership (CFL), led by Victoria Barbosa, MD, MPH, MBA, FAAD, during her 2024–2025 SOCS presidency. The Center’s mission is to develop leaders who will drive the dermatology field forward with innovation, inclusivity, and excellence.
The innovative curriculum will include live and on-demand online programming, as well as a more structured cohort experience that blends webinars and online community with an immersive, in-person leadership development program that will be tailored to individual needs, interests and aspirations.
The SOCS Mentorship Program is a comprehensive program that connects young physicians and medical students with an approved skin of color expert from SOCS. The Mentorship Program is now open to medical students. Residents can serve as both a mentor (to medical students) AND as a mentee (matched with a practicing dermatologist).
Call for Applications: August 4 - November 4, 2025, 12:00 PM CT
The SOCS Observership Grant awards up to $2,000 USD grants to dermatology residents, medical students (2nd-4th year), and junior faculty to enable study with a SOCS mentor identified by the applicant. Grants are intended for travel, room and board as needed to establish and facilitate the mentoring relationship.
Call for Applications: August 4 - November 4, 2025, 12:00 PM CT
The Skin of Color Society, in conjunction with the NMA Dermatology Section, is proud to present the Clinical Investigator Training and Mentorship Program. This mentorship program is intended to:
The Skin of Color Society Foundation (SOCSF), in partnership with Clinique, is proud to continue the Dermatologists of Tomorrow Scholarship presented by Clinique & SOCSF. This initiative is designed to provide financial support and mentorship to individuals who are committed to health equity and aspire to pursue careers in dermatology. Recognizing dermatology as one of the most competitive medical specialties, this scholarship aims to increase access to the field.
Call for Applications: October 6 - December 22, 2026, 12:00 PM CT
Taylor, Susan C. and Elbuluk, Nada M., Taylor & Elbuluk's Atlas and Synopsis for Skin of Color (2023) | McGraw-Hill/Medical.
Eleryan, Misty, Friedman, Adam (2023). The Full Spectrum of Dermatology: A Diverse and Inclusive Atlas Digital Edition | Sanovaworks.
Donkor, Claudia, Aryee-Boi, Je
Mukwende M, Tamonv P, Turner M (2020). Mind the Gap: a handbook of clinical signs on black and brown skin. London: St Georges, University of London. https://www.blackandbrownskin.co.uk/mindthegap
Lenzy Y (2018). Getting to the Root Book: A Dermatologist and Cosmetologist's Guide to Understanding HAIR! Massachusetts: Kingdom Root Publishing.
McMichael A, Hordinsky M (2018). Hair and Scalp Disorders: Medical, Surgical, and Cosmetic Treatments, Second Edition / Edition 2. Florida: Taylor & Francis.
Aguh C, Okoye G (2016). Fundamentals of Ethnic Hair. New York: Springer.
Love PB, Kundu RV (2016). Clinical Cases in Skin of Color: Medical, Oncological and Hair Disorders, and Cosmetic Dermatology (Clinical Cases in Dermatology). New York: Springer.
Kelly AP, Taylor SC, Lim HC, Serrano AMA (2015). Taylor and Kelly’s Dermatology for Skin of Color, 2nd edition. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Love PB, Kundu RV. (2015) Clinical Cases in Skin of Color: Adnexal, Inflammation, Infections, and Pigmentary Disorders (Clinical Cases in Dermatology). New York: Springer.
Silverberg N, Durán-McKinster C, Kwang Tay Y (2015). Pediatric Skin of Color. New York: Springer.
Alexis A, Barbosa VH (2014). Skin of Color: A Practical Guide to Dermatologic Diagnosis and Treatment. New York: Springer.
Jablonski NG (2014). Living Color: The Biological and Social Meaning of Skin Color, Reprint edition. California: University of California Press.
Jackson-Richards D, Pandya AG (2014) Dermatology Atlas for Skin of Color. New York: Springer.
Khumalo NP, Thiers BH (2014). African Skin and Hair Disorders, An Issue of Dermatologic Clinics. Amsterdam: Elsevier.
Dadzie OE, Petit A, Alexis AF (2013). Ethnic Dermatology: Principles and Practice. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell.
Schaller KF (2013). Colour Atlas of Tropical Dermatology and Venerology. New York: Springer.
Kinai M (2012). Dark Skin Dermatology Color Atlas: Clinical Dermatology. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Lugo-Somolinos A, McKinley-Grant L, Goldsmith LA et al. (2011). VisualDx: Essential Dermatology in Pigmented Skin. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.
Tay YK, Chan YC (2011). Textbook Of Laser And Light Dermatology In The Asian Skin. Singapore: World Scientific Publishing.
Taylor SC, Badreshia-Bansal S, Callender VD, Gathers RC, Rodriguez DA (2011). Treatments for Skin of Color. Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.
Alam M, Bhatia AC, Kundu RV, Yoo SS, Chan HHL (2009). Cosmetic Dermatology for Skin of Color. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Carniol PJ, Monheit GD (2009). Aesthetic Rejuvenation Challenges and Solutions: A World Perspective (Series in Cosmetic and Laser Therapy). Florida: CRC Press.
Kelly AP, Taylor SC (2009). Dermatology for skin of color. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical.
Archer CB (2008). Ethnic Dermatology: Clinical Problems and Skin Pigmentation, 2nd edition. Florida: CRC Press.
Berardesca E, Leveque JL, Maibach HI (2006). Ethnic Skin and Hair (Dermatology: Clinical & Basic Science). Florida: CRC Press.
Connolly C, Bikowski J (2006). Dermatological Atlas of Black Skin. Florida: Merit Publishing International.
Grimes PE (2006). Aesthetics and Cosmetic Surgery for Darker Skin Types. Philadelphia: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Halder RM (2005). Dermatology and Dermatological Therapy of Pigmented Skins. Florida: CRC Press.
Leok GC, Hon CS, Ket SN (2004). The Asian Skin: A Reference Color Atlas of Dermatology. New York: McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing.
Leppard B (2002). An Atlas of African Dermatology. Buckinghamshire: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.
Johnson BL, Moy RL (1998). Ethnic Skin: Medical and Surgical. Missouri: Mosby.
Archer CB, Robertson SJ (1995). Black and White Skin Diseases: An Atlas and Text. New Jersey: Wiley-Blackwell.
Montagna W, Prota G, Kennedy JA (1993). Black Skin: Structure and Function. Massachusetts: Academic Press Inc.
Basset A, Liautaud B, Ndiaye B, Basset A, Pembroke A (1986). Dermatology of Black Skin. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Laudie T (1983). Dermatological Disorders in Black Children and Adolescents. Amsterdam: Elsevier Science Ltd.
Rosen T, Martin S (1981). Atlas of Black Dermatology. New York: Time Warner Books.
Join clinical experts, thought leaders, and advocates for a collaborative discussion on the issues of health disparities, structural racism, and medicine as we examine specific dermatologic diseases in a series of four free and open educational webinars.
Register now for one event or all four!
Did you know that the membership of the Skin of Color Society hails from 41 states in the US and 32 countries around the world? Since the organization was founded in 2004 by Dr. Susan C. Taylor, the Society has been growing steadily on a global scale, now with nearly 800 members representing different membership categories, including:
It is important to note, as we are occasionally asked about this: it is not necessary to be an individual with skin of color in order to be a member of the Skin of Color Society! As an organization dedicated to promoting excellence in skin of color dermatology in service to patients of color, the Society welcomes all races and ethnicities of qualified professionals in the eligible categories outlined above who have a special interest and/or training in this field.
We are proud of the diversity of our professional membership, which represents a cross-section of the specialty—spanning academia, private practice in all aspects of the field, including medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology, as well as scientific and clinical research.
As our membership around the world continues to grow, we greatly value learning about all of our members and staying connected with one another—particularly in this new era of distancing imposed by the pandemic. To this end, we invite our SOCS members to introduce yourselves to our membership by answering a few short questions, which we can share on our social media platforms through a SOCS Member Spotlight. If you would like to participate in a social media feature, please contact
We look forward to hearing from you!
The worldwide spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a serious public health concern. The Skin of Color Society (SOCS) is working to mitigate the challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and inform our members of the most current recommendations for addressing changes to their practices.
The SOCS COVID-19 Resources page is an active living page with a compilation of industry communications, related links, podcasts about practice management guidance, support ideas for your patients and recommendations from CDC, WHO, AAD, ILDS and the AMA. This page will be updated daily to serve as your hub for anything related to COVID-19 and dermatology practices.
Skin of Color Society
Listen to SOCS President in the MDedge Dermatology Weekly Podcast
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With content in six languages, the app delivers mobile access to a wealth of COVID-19 knowledge resources developed by WHO, including up-to-the-minute guidance, tools, training, and virtual workshops to support health workers in caring for patients infected by COVID-19 and protect themselves as they do their critical work. You can download and share the app from the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
International League of Dermatological Societies (ILDS)
American Heart Association (AHA)
American Medical Association (AMA)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
World Health Organization (WHO)
MDedge: Cutis Audiocasts
American Academy of Dermatology (AAD)
American Heart Association (AHA)
International Master Course on Aging Science (IMCAS)
IMCAS Academy is offering 1-month free premium membership. To unlock this offer, follow these steps:
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD)
NIDI Skin
Skin of Color Update
World Health Organization (WHO)
JAMA Network
American Medical Association (AMA)
Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)
Federal Student Aid: Loans
We are committed to delivering on the mission of the SOCS despite these challenges. Donations to SOCS are always welcome. Please show your support and make a donation today. 