At the 2025 Global Black Economic Forum Future of Health Neighborhood, FYH.News’ Taylor Lopez sits down with Dr. Lauren Powell, Head of Health Equity in Drug Development at Biogen, for a powerful conversation about lupus and why Black women face a 2–3x higher risk.

They unpack why lupus symptoms are often dismissed as “just stress” or “just tired,” how systemic inequities delay diagnosis and limit treatment options, and what it truly means to advocate for yourself in today’s healthcare system.

From the stigma and under-prescribing of advanced therapies to the lack of inclusive clinical trials, this episode dives deep into the structural barriers impacting Black patients—and the real solutions that can drive change.

Dr. Powell also shares why meeting people in trusted community spaces, like Essence Festival and other cultural touchpoints, is critical to making lupus visible, discussable, and actionable.

Whether you’re living with lupus, supporting someone who is, or working to close health equity gaps, this conversation delivers clarity, strategy, and hope.

What You’ll Learn:

• How to recognize lupus symptoms beyond “just fatigue,” including rashes and hair loss—and why documenting them (photos, notes, timelines) matters
 • The labs and referrals to request (including inflammation markers) and when it’s time to seek a second opinion
 • Why many Black patients aren’t offered clinical trials—and what pharmaceutical companies must change (plain language, broader eligibility, mobile research units, trusted community partnerships)
 • How showing up in culturally relevant spaces helps break stigma and expand access to care

Resources:

Learn more and find lupus education at beyond-lupus.org
More equity-focused health coverage: fyh.news