Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science recently marked a major milestone in its long-standing commitment to community-based STEMM education, hosting the 26th Annual Junior White Coat Ceremony as part of its Saturday Science Academy II (SSA II) program in Los Angeles. The event honored Pre-K through high school students who have completed the program, recognizing their dedication to exploring careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine.
For more than two decades, the Junior White Coat Ceremony has served as both a celebration and a rite of passage for young scholars from South Los Angeles and surrounding communities. During the ceremony, students were presented with symbolic white coats, reinforcing the idea that they already belong in spaces where medicine, science, and innovation intersect. For many participants, the moment represents their first formal recognition as future healthcare professionals and STEMM leaders.
Saturday Science Academy II is one of CDU’s flagship pipeline programs, designed to introduce students from historically underrepresented communities to real-world STEMM concepts through hands-on learning, mentorship, and interactive experiences. The program emphasizes early exposure, confidence-building, and sustained engagement, helping students envision pathways into healthcare and scientific careers long before college.
This year’s ceremony was supported by the Coalition of Black Men Physicians (CBMP) through its CDU Chapter Young Minds in Medicine initiative, sponsored by Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Members of CBMP were actively engaged during the event, connecting directly with students and families while reinforcing the importance of mentorship, representation, and access in medicine. Their presence underscored the role that Black physicians and healthcare leaders play in shaping the next generation.
Founded in 2022, the Coalition of Black Men Physicians is a Los Angeles-based nonprofit focused on increasing diversity in medicine through scholarships, mentorship, and early pipeline programs. Since its inception, CBMP has raised more than $70,000 to support educational initiatives and mentorship opportunities across the community, aligning closely with broader efforts to advance health equity and workforce diversity.
As the Coalition of Black Men Physicians looks ahead, the newly launched Young Minds in Medicine Program represents the next phase of the organization’s commitment to building a sustainable pipeline of future physicians and healthcare leaders. Designed to introduce students to medicine early, the program is grounded in the belief that talent already exists within our communities—and that early exposure, mentorship, and representation are essential to nurturing that potential.
“Programs like this ignite curiosity and confidence in young learners, and we are proud to mentor the next generation of physicians and scientists from our beloved communities,” said Dr. Richard Morgan, Treasurer of the Coalition of Black Men Physicians.
Young Minds in Medicine will expand through the development of school-based chapters, which will serve as consistent points of engagement for students interested in medicine and the health sciences. These chapters are intended to provide structured opportunities for learning, mentorship, and exploration of healthcare careers while fostering a strong sense of belonging and academic confidence.
Medical students will play a central role in leading the program, serving as mentors and facilitators who guide participants through early exposure to medical education and professional pathways. Through near-peer mentorship, students will gain insight into the journey to medicine from individuals who have recently navigated the same path—helping make healthcare careers feel accessible, visible, and attainable.
To support the next generation of medical leaders, community members are encouraged to get involved with CBMP’s Young Minds in Medicine Program and contribute to its ongoing work. Those interested in supporting the initiative can learn more and donate by visiting blackmenphysicians.org or contributing directly through CBMP’s official fundraising page at givebutter.com/LC1vhn
