Fostering Representation in Healthcare.
A BUILD 2 LEAD CORNERSTONE INITIATIVE
Melanin and Medicine was founded to expose youth and young adults to BIPOC healthcare professionals, showcase non-traditional career journeys in healthcare, and build confidence in their ability to pursue medical careers.The event also fosters community engagement between healthcare professionals and aspiring youth.
Join B2L for our 4th annual
Melanin and Medicine 2K26
Family Life Center – Federal Way
March 31 – April 2, 2026
This three-day experience is dedicated to Closing the G.A.P. in Access, Representation, and Wealth across healthcare systems. Since launching in 2023, Melanin and Medicine has become one of Build 2 Lead’s cornerstone initiatives, connecting Black and Brown youth with BIPOC healthcare professionals, nontraditional career pathways, and tangible opportunities for mentorship and workforce access.
MARCH 31
Documentary Premiere & Fireside Dialogue
We will kick off the experience with the premiere of “It’s In Me”, a powerful documentary amplifying BIPOC provider voices, followed by fireside chats and community dialogue exploring equity, identity, and leadership in healthcare systems.
APRIL 1
Melanin and Medicine Mixer
A celebratory evening honoring Black and Brown healthcare professionals, partners, and leaders. This space centers relationship-building, cross-sector collaboration, and the lived experiences of those actively shaping more equitable systems.
APRIL 2
Youth Experience Day
Our flagship youth-centered event featuring interactive workshops, mentorship connections, and hands-on learning across clinical, non-clinical, and allied health pathways—designed to move students from inspiration to action.
JOIN US!
Since its launch in 2023, Melanin and Medicine has become one of Build 2 Lead’s cornerstone initiatives, designed to increase wellness and representation within the communities we serve. This year’s event featured a dynamic lineup of hands-on workshops and career pathway discussions that empowered, engaged and educated participants.
Hands-on Learning
Event Outcomes
SKILL
DEVELOPMENT
Students were highly engaged throughout the event, showing enthusiasm for skill development, career exploration, and health literacy discussions. Guest speakers shared invaluable insights, and participants connected deeply with the mission of Build 2 Lead’s “B2L Wellness” Initiative.
CAREER
AWARENESS
Students explored various career pathways, including:
Healthcare Administration
Healthcare Information Technology
Healthcare Law & Policy
Supply Chain Management in Healthcare
Ultrasound Sonography
Nurse Practitioner Tracks
Healthcare Leadership
representation in haelthcare
By exposing BIPOC youth to professionals who share their backgrounds and lived experiences, Melanin and Medicine broke barriers of doubt and instilled confidence. Seeing BIPOC professionals in leadership roles allows young people to visualize themselves in these careers and understand that they belong in these spaces.
“This event made me think about careers in a new way and made me appreciate all the work that goes into healthcare. Seeing professionals who look like me made a difference.”
What's next?
Creating Clear Pathways to Youth Mentorship, Experiential Learning, and Career Exploration in Healthcare.
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Moving forward our goal is to keep the momentum and conversations going. Our focus areas moving forward are building experiential pathways with our presenters and their organizations; Partner with organizations to build community engagement pathways for BIPOC providers and partners and work to introduce youth to innovative career pathways within healthcare organizations.
Thank you to our Partners
Virginia Mason Franciscan Healthcare
Sponsorship Partner
Best Starts for Kids-Communities of Opportunity
B2L Funder -Sponsorship Partner
More In Common Alliance
In-Kind Donor - P.O.W.E.R Partner
HealthPoint
In-Kind Donor - P.O.W.E.R Partner
King County Public Health Department
In-Kind Donor - P.O.W.E.R Partner
Federal Way Public Schools
Facilities Use - B2L Partner
Join the B2L Village
OPPORTUNITES FOR EVERYONE
Build 2 Lead engages members of the community through programs that educate, uplift, and enable community members to create positive change in the areas of education, healthcare, and economic mobility.
OPPORTUNITES INCLUDE:
MELANIN AND MEDICINE
POWER CONFERENCE
POWER COUNCIL
COMMUNITY COUNCIL
RPAC
