Filmmaker Crystal Emery will air her documentary “Black Women in Medicine” Thursday, April 13, as part of her campaign to attract more people of color and women to careers in science, technology, engineering and medicine.
Emery, a quadriplegic who has directed two feature films, written a book, written and directed a play and founded a non-profit, encourages others to defy the odds. She has two odds in mind: African-Americans receive 7.6 percent of all STEM degrees in America, and less than one percent of all scientists and engineers are black women.
The film shows rarely seen footage of African-American women practicing medicine during critical operations, emergency care and community wellness sessions.
“It’s all about exposure. It’s crucial to introduce young people to ideas and careers early on so that they can begin thinking seriously about their higher education and work life during their formative years,” said Emery.
The event is part of the national Changing the Face of STEM campaign, which is run by Emery’s non-profit organization, URU The Right To Be, Inc.
Kaiser Permanente of Georgia will host the event, which will also include a reception, Q&A and book signing.
“We hope this film and Emery’s ongoing work inspires more minority students to pursue careers in medicine to help meet a growing demand for doctors across the country,” said Mary L. Wilson, executive medical director of Kaiser Permanente of Georgia.
The event will take place at Piedmont Center, Building 14 (Conference Level), 3535 Piedmont Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30305. Doors open at 5 p.m.
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