Skip to navigation Skip to content

Black MS Experience Summit

Share

Black MS Experience Summit
A Virtual Event
#BlackMSExperience
 

Being Black and living with multiple sclerosis brings unique challenges and experiences. From scientific and clinical differences in the disease itself to stark inequities in the healthcare system and beyond. The Black MS Experience Summit – which took place September 22-24, 2020 – offered an opportunity to connect with others who understand the distinct experience of life with MS as a Black person.

Throughout this interactive, three-day virtual event, we forged powerful connections, learned from leading scientific and healthcare experts and gave voice to the unique needs of our community.

Videos from the 2020 Summit
Introduction by Damian Washington

Introduction
(Day 1)

Featuring Damian Washington, the host of the Black MS Experience Summit

Watch Video

MS Expert on Research and Health Disparities (Day 1)

MS Expert on Research and Health Disparities (Day 1)

Featuring Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams of Joi Life Wellness Group in Atlanta, GA

Watch Video

Advocacy Breakout Session (Day 1)

Advocacy Breakout Session
(Day 1)

Sharing your personal multiple sclerosis story is an empowering way to affect meaningful change.

Watch Video

Caregivers Supporting MS Warriors Breakout Session (Day 1)

Caregivers Supporting MS Warriors Breakout Session (Day 1)

Featuring licensed professional counselor and case manager Sabrina Wannamaker

Watch Video

Q&A on Research, Advocacy and Caregiving (Day 1)Day 1 Q & A Panel

Q&A on Research, Advocacy and Caregiving (Day 1)

Featuring Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, Sabrina Wannamaker and Angel Hardy Heinz

Watch Video

MS Expert on Mental Wellbeing

MS Expert on Mental Wellbeing
(Day 2)

Featuring Dr. Evelyn Hunter, licensed psychologist with her own practice out of Auburn

Watch Video

Health and Wellness Breakout Session (Day 2)

Health and Wellness Breakout Session
(Day 2)

Featuring exercise physiologist Christopher Wells

Watch Video

State of the Black Woman Breakout Session (Day 2)

State of the Black Woman Breakout Session (Day 2)

Featuring Victoria Marie Reese, motivational speaker

Watch Video

Q&A Mental Health, Women with MS, and Healthy Lifestyles

Q&A Mental Health, Women with MS, and Healthy Lifestyles (Day 2)

Featuring Dr. Evelyn Hunter, Victoria Marie Reese and Christopher Wells

Watch Video

MS Expert on Therapies and Clinical Trials

MS Expert on Therapies and Clinical Trials
(Day 3)

Featuring Dr. Jacqueline Rosenthal, neurologist and MS specialist

Watch Video

Building Community Breakout Session

Building Community Breakout Session
(Day 3)

Featuring leadership volunteers from the Black MS Experience Summit’s planning committee

Watch Video

Men’s Connection Real Lyfe, Reel Talk

Men’s Connection Real Lyfe, Reel Talk Breakout Session (Day 3)

Featuring Tyler Campbell of Tyler Campbell Enterprises and Pro Player Foundation

Watch Video

Q&A Clinical Trials, Men and MS, and Community

Q&A Clinical Trials, Men and MS, and Community (Day 3)

Featuring Dr. Jaqueline Rosenthal, Michelle Witherspoon and Tyler Campbell

Watch Video

Schedule

View a detailed agenda and speaker information on our registration site.

 

Sketchnotes UK has provided some great visuals that represent themes and aspects of the conversations from the Black MS Experience Summit. These images reflect the artist's interpretation of the event.

Day 1
​Advocacy Session (click for a larger image)

Activism
MS Expert Session (click for a larger image)

MS Expert Session
Day 2
​State of the Black Woman (click for a larger image)

State of the Black Woman
MS Expert Session (click for a larger image)

MS Expert Session
Day 3
​Men's Connection (click for a larger image)

Tyler Campbell's session (Men's Connection)
MS Expert Session (click for a larger image)

MS Expert Session
 
 
Additional Resources
  • Join the National Multiple Sclerosis Society Community on Facebook: The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Community offers an opportunity for all those affected by MS to participate in self-paced learning units within a social setting. In addition to learning about health and wellness, symptom management and other MS-specific topics, community members can share and comment, connecting to other group members for advice and support. This group includes strategies that can be implemented now to impact quality of life and opportunities to continue the conversation from the Black MS Experience Summit.
  • Get Connected:
     
    • MS Navigators are available to help navigate the challenges of MS.
    • Learn more about MS research.
    • Become an MS activist and advocate for change.
    • Find resources related to MS and coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
    • Support the National MS Society’s goals of increasing diversity across all that we do by becoming an MS Ambassador who engages your community, spreads awareness, and helps ensure that all people see themselves in the MS Movement. To learn more email VolunteerMS@nmss.org.
  • For more resources and clinical information, please visit this page.
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
 

Share

© 2020 The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is a tax exempt 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Its Identification Number (EIN) is 13-5661935.