Archives for March 2018

Receive up to $1,500 to start a Community Emergency Hub

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

In partnership with the Seattle Office of Emergency Management, the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods is offering up to $21,600 in funding to support Community Emergency Hubs throughout the city. This is enough to provide 14 groups with up to $1,500 to create their own Hub-in-a-Box.

A Hub-in-a-Box contains the essential materials and supplies your community would need in case of a disaster where help from the City or others is delayed or disrupted. They must be contained within a durable and secured storage box that is in a publicly accessible location.

What is a Community Emergency Hub?

Hubs serve as a central gathering place among neighbors in homes, apartments, condominiums, P-Patches, parks, or other community gathering spots, after a disaster to help each other.
They are organized and managed by local neighbors and serve to connect and help people when City and other resources are overwhelmed.
Hubs are a way to collect, coordinate and provide information on local situations, needs, and resources.
Emergency hubs also are a great way to encourage emergency preparedness in your neighborhood, or to connect with others and receive training on emergency preparedness.

If you are interested in applying for a Hub-in-a-Box for your community, please complete the 2018 Hub in a Box Application, along with the Material Request Application.

Check out our tip sheet for information that can help guide new community hubs through the process of purchasing and installing a Hub-in-a-Box.

Completed applications must be submitted no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on Monday, April 16th, 2018. Applications can be submitted via email or in person to the address below. Please note, applications cannot be mailed in to the Office of Emergency Management or the Department of Neighborhoods.

Please drop off applications in person to Tim Wolfe, Community Investments Division Director, at:

Seattle Department of Neighborhoods
600 4th Ave, Floor 4
Seattle, WA 98104

Or submit via email to:

If you want to learn more about Community Emergency Hubs and what local Hub Captains are doing in their own neighborhoods, visit seattle.gov/hubs.

Get connected to community-based organizations throughout the City

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Community Connector, our new online portal where you can easily learn about and connect with community-based groups throughout the City. Whether you have a specific interest or just want to connect with your neighborhood, you can easily find an organization that fits your needs.

Community Connector also serves local organizations by providing them a platform to promote their work, reach new people, and engage with other like-minded organizations.

The Community Connector is part of the new Community Resource Hub, our online one-stop-shop for City resources, information, and tools to help community members connect and engage with city government and with each other. The site includes “how-to” documents, videos, websites, tip sheets, links to discounted City resources, and more. You can learn more about the Community Resource Hub here.

List Your Organization

If you would like to have your group listed in the Community Connector, follow these steps:

Follow this link to the Community Connector portal: https://communityconnector.seattle.gov/.
Search to make sure your group is not already in the Community Connector by entering a keyword or group name in the search box.
Click on the blue “Add Your Group” button.
Input your organization’s information into the simple online form. This information includes group name, meeting location, mission, social media links, etc.
Submit the form by clicking the blue “Submit” button at the bottom of the page.
The information you submit will be reviewed by our staff for content and relevance. If something needs to be updated before your group is added to the database, we will contact you with questions.

Spread the word to other community-based groups who you think may benefit from being listed on the Community Connector.

Planning The Future For MLK Jr.’s Hearse On 50th Anniversary Of His Death

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Fifty years ago, a 1966 Cadillac Superior Coach hearse carried Martin Luther King Jr.’s body to the Memphis airport to be flown back to Atlanta and laid to rest.

Today, that hearse has been restored and its owner hopes that soon it will be on public display as a reminder of the tremendous sacrifice it represents.

Gary Zimet, whose memorabilia business Moments in Time specializes in rare letters, manuscripts and other historic artifacts, says the hearse’s owner discussed with him the idea of selling the vehicle to a corporation or philanthropist willing to donate it rather than keep it hidden away privately. The goal is for the hearse to end up in a museum, preferably the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, or the National African-American Museum at the Smithsonian, which opened in 2016 without any artifacts related to King.

“It’s much too important a piece of history for it to end up in a private collection,” Zimet says. “It is the ultimate link to King’s martyrdom.”

A website, www.PreservingTheDream.com, has been established where people can learn more about this priceless artifact and the role it played in the nation’s history.

King died at the hands of an assassin on April 4, 1968, and this year marks the 50^thanniversary of his death. That same day, the hearse transported King’s body from St. Joseph Hospital to the R.S. Lewis and Sons Funeral Home. A day later, it was used for the first funeral service in Memphis before the hearse took the journey to the airport, where Coretta Scott King awaited her husband’s body.

The hearse has been in storage for about 40 years before it was obtained from the original owner, Memphis Cadillac Superior Coach dealer Zane Smith. Five years ago it was restored to its original condition.

“The owner could have auctioned this off years ago,” Zimet says. “But he wants to put this significant piece of Civil Rights and American History where it can benefit the most people, which is why he is hoping a philanthropic individual or corporation will secure this national treasure for donation to a major museum where it can be seen by millions for generations to come.”

About Gary Zimet

Gary Zimet is president of Moments in Time, which deals in rare original autographs, historical documents and other artifacts. Among the items he has sold over the years were a letter from President Jimmy Carter to his brother Billy, a letter from Martin Luther King Jr. to Rosa Parks, and Abraham Lincoln’s signature on a copy of the 13^thAmendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Prison is a toxic experience, and people either become bitter or better

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

‘Be Better, Not Bitter: Sharing Thirty Life Lessons I Learned from Prison’ released

Dakota Decker Jr. marks his publishing debut with the release of “Be Better, Not Bitter: Sharing Thirty Life Lessons I Learned from Prison” (published by Xlibris), a self-help/psychology book sharing insights on how to “be better” in any of life’s experiences.

“Prison is a toxic experience, and people either become bitter or better,” Decker says.

In this book, he provides the reader with his knowledge and understanding as to the basis of either choice. This is framed as either a fear-based or a love-based decision. He helps them see that if a prisoner or nonprisoner uses only the fear-based insights, “anyone will naturally become bitter.” However, he argues if people use the love-based insights, they will become better.

“Because when we are hurt our natural tendency is to be bitter, but in our heart we do not want to be bitter, we want love. This book gives lessons on how to find love – in short – how to be better.” Decker declares, “That a man who is broken and destroyed, as I have been, can still have love in his heart.”

“Be Better, Not Bitter: Sharing Thirty Life Lessons I Learned from Prison”

By Dakota Decker Jr.

Hardcover | 6 x 9in | 292 pages | ISBN 9781543424157

Softcover | 6 x 9in | 292 pages | ISBN 9781543424140

E-Book | 292 pages | ISBN 9781543424133

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Dakota Decker Jr. is a decorated military veteran of more than 20 years, having served through several wars and had numerous overseas deployments. He rose from a junior enlisted airman to a field-grade officer. In addition to several degrees, Decker, after his self-reporting confession and his self-imposed professional treatment for his crimes, and a few years prior to his military court-martial, completed his second Master of Science degree, this one in counseling. He was married for almost 30 years and has many children. Now he has several grandchildren, born since his incarceration. He still currently resides in prison, working daily to remain infraction free to enable his early release on parole. Decker plans to donate the proceeds of his book to a foundation (Be Better Not Bitter Foundation) he started that provides support to other prisoners and ex-convicts to help reintegrate help through a one-on-one mentorship program. His intent is to become a mentor and life coach to convicts and exconvicts.

Civil Rights Leaders: Fight to Save 2020 Census Just Beginning

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts 1 Comment

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, hosted a telephone press briefing to discuss Secretary Ross’s decision to include a citizenship question in the 2020 Census.

A recording of today’s call is available here.

Civil rights leaders and census experts from diverse communities discussed why adding the citizenship question was the wrong decision, and how it is likely to jeopardize a fair and accurate census.

“While it would be tremendously easy to litigate Ross’s memo line-by-line, we cannot lose sight of the big picture: Ross is simply trying to shrink-wrap a respectable label on a bottle filled with Trump’s poisonous partisan agenda. In fact, existing Census Bureau research already documents the growing reluctance of survey respondents to take part in any Census Bureau surveys – all due to the “climate of fear” created by the Trump Administration’s hostile policies and rhetoric,” Vanita Gupta, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights said. “The civil rights community is speaking with a clear, united voice: this decision is wrong for our communities, our democracy, and our country, and we will fight to overturn it.”

Arturo Vargas, executive director of the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund said, “In yet another assault on immigrants, Latinos and the 2020 Census, the U.S. Department of Commerce and Trump Administration today chose to put politics above the interests of the American people. By deciding to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census at the 11^th hour, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross has further undermined the integrity of one of the most preeminent scientific agencies in the world, further jeopardizing the accuracy of the 2020 Census and wasting millions of taxpayer dollars in the process. The stakes are too high for a failed 2020 Census, and we will not sit idly by as those with malice intentions seek to thwart a fair and accurate count of immigrants, Latinos and all Americans. The fight has just begun, and we will not stop until we have exhausted all avenues to provide the Census Bureau with the fix and certainty it needs to tackle its most ambitious task yet, counting the largest American population in history.”

“The citizenship question and similar policies by this administration seek to leave minority communities undercounted, under-represented, and under-protected. The Commerce Department has shirked its responsibility of ensuring that all questions are properly tested and lead to accurate data. This decision compromises the integrity and accuracy of the 2020 Census,” said John C. Yang, president and executive director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works to build an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

NALEO Educational Fund is the leading nonprofit organization that facilitates full Latino participation in the American political process, from citizenship to public service. To learn more about NALEO Educational Fund’s work on Census issues, visit www.naleo.org/census2020 or text CENSUS to 97779 to opt in and subscribe to the organization’s Get-Out-The-Count SMS Campaign (standard messaging rates apply).

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC has a mission to advance the civil and human rights for Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.

Franklin-Pierce School Board Director, Housing Advocate and U.S. Army Veteran Melanie Morgan to run for the 29th Legislative District State Representative, Position 1

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Franklin-Pierce School District-Board Director Melanie Morgan announced her candidacy for the 29th Legislative District State Representative, Position 1. The seat is currently held by Rep. David Sawyer.

Director Melanie Morgan was first elected to the Franklin-Pierce School Board in 2015 with over 75% of the vote. Director Morgan was instrumental in the passage of the district’s $157 million bond measure in 2016, the first bond measure to pass in the district since 1998. Building upon the success of this measure, Director Morgan once again played a critical role in the successful passage of two school levy renewals this February. Director Morgan has worked with community leaders to explore partnerships with local organizations in the 29th LD to better serve the community. The Parkland Foursquare church, pastored by Dan Donohue is such an example. The church has adopted one of the district’s elementary schools, hosting events and providing meals, clothing, and other necessary resources to the school’s children. Director Morgan is currently working with Young Life to create a mentorship group for young black males, with a focus on participation in STEM fields. Director Morgan has also worked extensively in her off time to feed and clothe the homeless.

In conjunction with today’s announcement, Director Morgan is also touting key endorsements from Chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Laurie Jenkins (D-27), Tacoma City Council Member Catherine Ushka, and Former Pierce County Council Member and current Chair of the Pierce County Democrats, Tim Farrell. In acknowledgement of her leadership and contributions to educational excellence, she has also earned the support of Franklin-Pierce School Board Director Rebecca Gallogly, Orting School Board Director Clementina Perez, Orting School Board President Stanley Holland, former Director of AVID in the Tacoma School District and former candidate for State Superintendent Erin Jones, former Washington State Legislative Aide, sexual harassment advocate, and winner of the University of Washington Tacoma’s 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award Jessica Gavre, and 2016 Washington State Teacher of the Year Nate Bowling.

Explaining her decision to run for State Representative, Director Melanie Morgan said, “As someone who has lost their home and experienced homelessness, I understand the struggles far too many residents of the 29th are facing. Residents are being taxed out of their homes, going bankrupt due to soaring healthcare costs, and lack access to quality transportation, which creates barriers to sustaining better paying jobs.”

Director Morgan is also committed to creating an environment that is safe for everyone. As a Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocate, #MeToo is a movement that she takes very seriously. NO ONE deserves to be harassed. She goes on to say, “I am excited to be the new face of the 29th, and I eagerly await the opportunity to work with the voters of the 29th Legislative District to build an inclusive, positive and civically minded district. I am committed to giving the people of the 29th the leader they deserve, and I look forward to earning their vote.”

Prior to being elected to the Franklin-Pierce School Board, Director Morgan was appointed by the Pierce County Council to serve as a Commissioner on the Board of the Pierce County Housing Authority, where she oversaw budgets, programs, policies and procedures. Director Morgan also served on the Board of Community Healthcare. Director Morgan graduated from St. Martin’s College with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.

New Report Focuses on Line-of-duty Deaths and Officer Safety

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

Study released by National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and U.S. Department of Justice shows domestic disturbance calls continue to be most dangerous

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, in partnership with the United States Department of Justice’s Office of Community Policing Services (COPS), has released Making it Safer: An Analysis of U.S. Law Enforcement Fatalities Between (2010-2016), a report that contains data-driven analysis of line-of-duty deaths across an array of circumstances. This report is authored by the Memorial Fund’s Director of Officer Safety and Wellness Nick Breul and Sr. Project Manager Desiree Luongo.

The primary purpose of this report is to provide an in-depth analysis of the types of calls for police service that resulted in a law enforcement fatality, identify any emerging patterns or trends and offer recommendations which will reduce future fatalities. Spanning from 2010 to 2016, Making it Saferprovides statistical and tactical data relating to the circumstances of these line-of-duty deaths. The researchers found that “Domestic Disturbance” calls continue to present the most danger to officers summoned to investigate complaints. The analysis of these encounters can help policymakers and practitioners identify opportunities to improve officer safety, as it contains real case studies which can serve as good examples of situational opportunities.

Similarly, the report addresses instances where officers were killed when they took independent action to address violations of the law or to investigate suspicious circumstances. The research into “Self-initiated Activity” highlighted that traffic stops posed the greatest danger to officers who are actively enforcing laws. The report offers recommendations on how officers can learn from the case studies provided and handle such calls in a safer manner.

In a third segment of the report, the researchers conducted an analysis of cases the Memorial Fund deemed to be shooting ambushes of officers during 2010-2016 period. This analysis provides insight into the number of cases that occurred while detailing the circumstances in which officers were fatally assaulted. The report found that more than 20 percent of officers who were killed in ambush attacks were shot while seated in their patrol cars.

Making it Safer also includes a review of the use of body armor by officers involved in a specific series of fatal incidents, as well as the use of seatbelts in fatal automobile crashes over the same period. The report reveals that in one year, 52 percent of officers killed in automobile crashes were not wearing their seatbelt.

Additionally, the researchers used the Memorial Fund’s extensive database of line-of-duty deaths dating back to 1791 to review “Police-on-Police” shootings and put them into historical context. Although the frequency and number of these cases has diminished, these tragedies continue to occur and are largely preventable. Many of the cases examined involved an officer inadvertently shooting a fellow officer as they struggled with a suspect, an officer unintentionally striking a fellow officer with his firearm, or officers engaged in a shootout with an armed suspect but mistakenly shooting a fellow officer during the commotion.

The wide-ranging report was reviewed by a distinguished committee of law enforcement executives and practitioners who shared their insight into how the men and women who are on the front line of law enforcement can perform their duties in a safer manner.

The eye-opening statistics and poignant case studies, along with easy-to-understand informational graphics, will help law enforcement agencies across the country work to make it safer for those who serve. The report can be found here: www.LawMemorial.org/MakingItSafer.

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Responds to Louisiana Department of Justice’s Decision Not to Charge Baton Rouge Police Officers for Shooting Death of Alton Sterling

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law issued a statement in response to today’s decision by the Louisiana Department of Justice to not pursue criminal charges against the officers responsible for the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Kristen Clarke, president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law stated: “The Louisiana Department of Justice’s decision not to pursue criminal charges in the fatal shooting of Alton Sterling is a punch in the gut for those who seek justice and who seek an end to the long and pervasive police shooting crisis in our country. In case after case, officers get the benefit of the doubt because they bear a badge and a gun. Police shootings of unarmed African Americans across the U.S. is a crisis tearing apart families and communities.

Today’s decision comes at a time when Attorney General Jeff Sessions has all but shut down federal investigations into police departments that evidence a pattern and practice of using deadly and excessive force without basis. In every respect, this federal government has signaled that police shootings are not a priority issue, thereby discouraging local and state prosecutors from taking these matters seriously.

We urge federal and state lawmakers to use this moment to evaluate existing laws that make it difficult to hold officers accountable when they take a life without basis. It is only when officers are held criminally accountable for the deaths of unarmed African Americans that we will fully restore public confidence in the justice system and bring about long overdue reform in the way in which officers use deadly force.”

A copy of Louisiana Attorney General Landry’s report presenting the findings in the investigation into the death of Alton Sterling can be found here.

###

Its That Time Of The Year …. But Before You Launch

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts 1 Comment

BoatUS Spring Commissioning Checklist

With boatyards, backyards, marinas, and clubs now coming to life, spring commissioning time has arrived. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has a Spring Commissioning Checklist to help boaters start the season right:

Before You Launch:

Hose clamps should be inspected and replaced as necessary. Double clamp below-waterline connections, including all hose and fuel lines with marine-rated stainless hose clamps and keeping seacocks closed when you are away are wise moves.
Inspect cooling hoses for stiffness, rot, leaks and cracking. Make sure they fit snugly.
Replace deteriorated sacrificial anodes.
Inspect prop(s) for dings, pitting and distortion. Make sure cotter pins are secure. Grip the prop and try moving the shaft – if it’s loose, the cutless bearing (on inboard drive systems) may need to be replaced.
Check the rudderstock to ensure it hasn’t been bent.
Inspect the hull for blisters, distortions and stress cracks.
Make sure your engine intake sea strainer is not cracked or bent from ice, free of corrosion, and is clean and properly secured.
With inboards, check the engine shaft and rudder stuffing boxes for looseness. A stuffing box should only leak when the prop shaft is turning and needs to be inspected routinely.
Inspect and lubricate seacocks.
Use a garden hose to check for deck leaks at ports and hatches. Renew caulk or gaskets as necessary.
Inspect bilge pump and float switch to make sure they’re working properly.
Check stove and remote tanks for loose fittings and leaking hoses.
Inspect dock and anchor lines for chafing.
If equipped, ensure that the stern drain plug is installed
After the boat is launched, be sure to check all thru-hulls for leaks.

Engine Outdrives and Outboards:

Inspect rubber outdrive bellows for cracked, dried and/or deteriorated spots (look especially in the folds) and replace if suspect.
Check power steering and power trim oil levels.
Replace anodes that are more than half worn away.
Inspect outer jacket of control cables. Cracks or swelling indicate corrosion and mean that the cable must be replaced.

Engines and Fuel Systems:

Inspect fuel lines, including fill and vent hoses, for softness, brittleness or cracking. Check all joints for leaks, and make sure all lines are well supported with noncombustible clips or straps with smooth edges.
Inspect fuel tanks, fuel pumps and filters for leaks. Ensure portable tanks and lines are completely drained of stale fuel before filling with new fuel. Clamps should be snug and free of rust. Clean or replace fuel filters.
Every few years, remove and inspect exhaust manifolds for corrosion.
Charge battery. Clean and tighten electrical connections, especially both ends of battery cables. Wire-brush battery terminals and fill cells with distilled water (if applicable).
Inspect bilge blower hose for leaks.

Sailboat Rigging:

Inspect swage fittings for cracks and heavy rust (some discoloration is acceptable). Inspect wire halyards and running backstays for “fishhooks” and rust.
Remove tape on turnbuckles and lubricate threads, preferably with Teflon. Replace old tape with fresh tape.
If you suspect the core around a chainplate is damp, remove the chainplate to inspect and make repairs.

Trailers:

Inspect tire treads and sidewalls for cracks or lack of tread and replace as necessary. Check air pressure — don’t forget the spare.
Inspect wheel bearings and repack as necessary.
Test all lights and winch to make sure they’re working properly. Inspect hitch chains.
Inspect trailer frame for rust. Sand and paint to prevent further deterioration.
Inspect brakes and brake fluid reservoir.

Safety:

Check expiration dates on flares. Inspect fire extinguishers. Replace if over 12 years old. Over 40 million Kidde extinguishers with plastic handles were recalled on Nov. 2, 2017.
Make sure you have properly sized and wearable life jackets in good condition for each passenger, including kids. Check inflatable life jacket cylinders.
Test smoke, carbon monoxide, fume and bilge alarms.
Check running lights and spare bulb inventory.
Update paper charts, chart plotter software.
Replenish first aid kit items that may have been used last season.
Be sure to get a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadrons. Find out more at SafetySeal.net.

For the Dock:

Check both ends of the shore power cable connections for burns, which indicate the cable and/or boat’s shore power inlet or the dock’s receptacle must be replaced.
Test ground-fault protection on your boat and private dock, and know how to prevent Electric Shock Drowning.

The Paperwork:

Make sure your boat registration is up to date. Don’t forget your trailer tags.
Review your boat insurance policy and update coverage if needed. Provide a copy to your marina or club.
If applicable, ensure your BoatUS Towing Membership is in good standing. Log in to BoatUS.com/Account to check your membership status or join at BoatUS.com.

A downloadable PDF version of this Spring Commissioning Checklist is available at: www.BoatUS.com/spring-boat-commissioning-checklist.

Skin of Color Society Reaches New Heights as an International Organization Dedicated to Promoting Excellence in Skin of Color Dermatology

March 29, 2018 by NWFacts Leave a Comment

The Skin of Color Society (SOCS), an international professional organization of physicians dedicated to promoting excellence in skin of color dermatology, reports record levels of organizational growth in terms of membership, mentorship, research, educational initiatives and media outreach. At its recent annual business meeting held in conjunction with the 2018 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology, SOCS President Seemal R. Desai, MD, reviewed 2017-2018 highlights including:

Professional membership has doubled since 2015, and has grown to 436 members from 29 countries around the world (up from 21 countries in 2017), with a sharp rise in membership among residents and research fellows.
The SOCS has increased engagement with medical students through the medical school awareness program, helping them secure residencies with a year-by-year guide available on www.skinofcolorsociety.org.
SOCS has expanded its skin of color dermatology mentorship program to include a record 78 mentors from 10 countries who are available to share their expertise with dermatology residents and young dermatologists.
SOCS dermatologists participated in a successful inaugural partnership with Procter & Gamble on its Science Behind Symposium, involving mentors Lynn McKinley-Grant, MD and Susan C. Taylor, MD and mentees Nada Elbuluk, MD, MSc and Pooja Sodha, MD.
The 2018 SOCS Research Award was given to Shawn Kwatra, MD Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, for his project: “Molecular Basis of Itch in African Americans.”
A team of SOCS leaders shared their expertise with NYC-based editors at the Society’s 3rd Annual Media Day, which was moderated by Lee Thomas, Emmy Award-winning broadcaster, author and vitiligo patient advocate. SOCS members who presented expert talks at this exciting, well-attended event included: Drs. Seemal R. Desai; Susan C. Taylor; Valerie Callender; Maritza Perez; and Andrew Alexis. Nada Elbuluk, MD and Babar Rao, MD also participated as supporting experts.
The SOCS gratefully recognizes outgoing Board of Directors Members: Drs. Gary Brauner, Babar K. Rao and Heather Woolery-Lloyd, and approved new officers: SOCS & SOCS Foundation Board of Directors: Drs. Cheryl Burgess, Maritza Perez, and Valerie M. Harvey, whose terms expire in 2021.

Following the business meeting, the 14th SOCS Annual Scientific Symposium was presented, co-chaired and moderated by Drs. Andrew Alexis and Amy McMichael. Oral presentations were judged by: Drs. Roopal Kundu, Susan C. Taylor and Lynn McKinley-Grant. Six medical students / residents / research fellows presented their original research, including:

Nahla Shihab, MD – Universitas Indonesia
Yssra S. Soliman, BA – Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Yemisi Dina, BS – Meharry Medical College
Divya Seth – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Eseosa Asemota, MD, MPH – Tufts Medical Center
Andrea Tovar Garza, MD – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center

In addition, twenty-four medical students/residents/research fellows displayed research posters. A summary can be viewed by visiting: http://bit.ly/2p8FNeM

Five expert talks were presented during the SOCS Scientific Symposium by invited speakers, including:

Amit G. Pandya, MD – University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, “Pigmentary disorder breakthroughs
Valerie D. Callender, MD – Callender Dermatology & Cosmetic Center, “Update on Hair Loss in Women of Color”
Hema Sundaram, MD – Dermatology, Cosmetic & Laser Surgery, “Emerging Strategies for Planning and Implementation of Aesthetic Treatments in Skin of Color”
Steven L. Pruitt – Managing Partner, Watts Partners, “Raising the public policy profile and discussion on the treatment of skin scarring and keloids in patients with skin of color”
Jonathan Silverberg, MD – Northwestern University, “An update on atopic dermatitis including co-morbidities and treatment breakthroughs”

The SOCS leadership gratefully acknowledges contributions from the following 2017-2018 sponsors whose support helps to advance the SOCS mission: Leo Pharmaceuticals; Merz Aesthetics; Ortho Dermatologics; Pfizer; Sun Pharmaceuticals; Nutrafol/Nutraceutical Wellness; Procter & Gamble; Regeneron Healthcare Solutions; Aclaris Therapeutics, Inc; Dermira; Janssen Biotech, Inc; Global Vitiligo Foundation and many individual donors.

Numerous exciting initiatives are in the works for SOCS in 2018-2019. Visit: www.skinofcolorsociety.org