Five percent of physicians in the U.S. are African American. Two percent of urologists are African American. Prior to the nationwide surge of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts in 2020, there were already several programs and initiatives targeting equity in the workforce and health care delivery. I have served as a mentor to several underrepresented minorities. In the last 2 years, we have seen a significant and meaningful infusion of DEI activities into the strategic plans and priorities of not just the AUA, but throughout many medical and nonmedical organizations. I have had the privilege of working on efforts at my current institution and on a national scale.

At Loyola University Chicago’s Stritch School of Medicine, equity advocates were established to carry out the DEI initiatives of the medical school. Each department has an appointed representative, and I serve as the representative for urology. Faculty members across departments work collaboratively in working groups on established priorities, outlined by the dean of the medical school. I am working specifically on the Recruitment and Retention working group, with the goal of increasing diverse faculty, residents, and medical students.

Ultimately, we are hoping our work can serve as a model to other medical schools, as we continue to create our blueprint for future work to build on. Loyola University Chicago also established the Institute for Racial Justice in 2021 and serves as an interdisciplinary hub for work across Loyola University Chicago. In my role as the liaison of the medical school to the Institute for Racial Justice, I serve in an advisory capacity, along with the other graduate school liaisons, to advance the agenda of this innovative institute. Finally, I am part of a team based at Loyola working on a Microaggressions Toolkit for Urologists, with a special focus on proactive responses for bystanders.

On a national level, I serve on the inaugural Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee. We are excited to work under the leadership of Dr. Bresler in establishing a comprehensive agenda for the AUA. We have eagerly hit the ground running with internal- and external-facing initiatives. This committee and our proposed activities signify an era of positive change for the AUA. I am so happy to be part of the change.

Lastly, I was appointed to lead the DEI Committee for the Sexual Medicine Society of North America. I had the honor of being selected to serve on the inaugural DEI Committee and am excited to continue the great work of this committee. We have a dynamic and diverse group, with an ambitious and progressive agenda for 2023.

As we celebrate Black History Month, I hope all organizations and institutions continue to support DEI efforts and see this as a necessary part of our culture. I am proud to be part of the meaningful efforts in urology and setting the tone that other specialties and organizations can look to. We still have work to do, but our future is bright!

To learn more from Dr. Asafu-Adjei on the impact of DEI programs within urology, and education as a whole, as well as the importance of mentorship among underrepresented members of the urology community, listen to Voices: DEI Initiatives and the Importance of Mentorship.