We, as the leadership of iaedp’s African-American Eating Disorders Professionals/Black, Indigenous, People of Color (AAEDP-BIPOC) Committees understand that many of you may have concerns about our upcoming spring 2024 Symposium in Orlando and the travel advisory issued by the NAACP for the State of Florida. We respect and understand those of you who opt to not participate in this current climate. But know that we also see this as an opportunity to show up, stand up, and be heard.

As a leadership team that has led by example – being fully engaged – in social justice and activism, we believe there is no more important time than right now to explicitly center the stories and narratives of Black and Brown lives, and the BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities. We wholeheartedly believe that now is the time for us to show up as a professional collective. Our goal is to continue an inclusive dialogue that will develop more culturally competent professionals who can treat all of our clients effectively and with humility.

As clinicians of color from around the United States, who treat eating disorders in persons of color and having intersectional identities, we know firsthand of the far-reaching trauma that impacts their daily lives, careers, relationships and self-worth due to systemic racism and related discrimination in the US. As we look back at the various fights for justice in American history, we remember and endeavor to follow in the footsteps of all those who showed up, against all odds, to help improve the lives of others.

If you are still thinking about submitting a proposal, we ask you to stand up against inequities by focusing on the impact of systemic racism, barriers to healthcare, the importance of a culturally competent workforce, and any of the myriad other issues that affect the lives of BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ persons.

Please join us as we deliver presentations by highly respected and credentialled members of iaedp™’s African-American Eating Disorders Professionals/Black, Indigenous, People of Color Committees, along with our other allies from around the country and the world, as we work to provide an antidote to hate and ignorance in service of our clients and peers. If you decide on not attending or submitting a proposal, please consider joining the iaedp Abstract Review Committee.

Respectfully,
iaedp™ AAEDP-BIPOC Committee Leadership

Comments or Replies to this email are directed here.
Submit your iaedp 2024 Proposal by July 31 here.
Read about the AAEDP BIPOC Committee here
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