Skin of Color Society
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A professional dermatologic organization dedicated to promoting excellence in skin of color derm e.
The mission of the Skin of Color Society is as follows:
To promote, support, and stimulate the development of information related to all aspects of skin of color within the specialty of dermatology and to make this information available to the general population. To provide a forum for the exchange of information pertaining to skin of color. To promote the education of physicians, residents and non-physician scientists, media, government, and third parties, i. managed care, insurance organizations, and other entities, about the unique properties, reaction patterns and diseases that occur in individuals with skin of color by encouraging courses in skin of color and other related topics at scientific meetings and dermatology training centers. To promote the scientific study of skin of color, including basic science, clinical, surgical and cosmetic research. To promote an increase in the body of dermatological literature related to skin of color. To provide collaborative opportunities for established members and mentoring opportunities for younger members and individuals interested in the field of skin of color. It is through these efforts that individuals with skin of color will be best served by those within the field of dermatology.
10/07/2026
The SOCS Research Awards Program is Open to Applications!
A longstanding pillar of SOCS, our awards support emerging researchers and future leaders in the field.
As a shining example of the program's impact, we were thrilled to have Dr. Courtney M. Johnson present her 2021 Dermatology Research Award project, “Tumor Microenvironment Signatures in CTCL: Implications for Personalized Medicine,” at the SOCS Scientific Symposium in March 2026. Dr. Johnson also received the 2025 Career Development Award for her work: “Investigating the Role of Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts in the Immunodetection of Mycosis Fungoides.
Check out these opportunities:
*The SOCS Early Career Innovations Award provides startup funding of up to $35,000 for young visionaries and innovators whose novel projects address needs and opportunities within the dermatology ecosystem and advance understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of dermatologic conditions in the field of skin of color. Apply by November 18, 2026
*The SOCS Career Development Award provides up to $100,000, which can be used over two years and which is non-renewable. The project should have a research focus on inflammatory dermatologic diseases in SOC, in areas where further clinical, translational, and basic research is needed.
*The SOCS Dermatology Research Award provides annual awards (up to $25,000 each) to promote dermatology research within the field of skin of color. This award is intended to assist dermatologists in furthering their academic careers, including those within 10 years of completing terminal residency/fellowship training or who are instructors/assistant professors.
* The Institutional Research Fellowship (IRF) Grant program provides opportunities for early-career physicians to conduct investigations on dermatologic conditions that need more scientific research in skin of color and to prepare for leadership roles in clinical care, public policy, health services, and biomedical research. This award grants up to $40,000 to support skin of color dermatology and/or health equity research.
Deadline for these three research awards: December 1, 2026
Learn more and prepare to apply:
https://skinofcolorsociety.org/what-we-do/research
It's Eczema Awareness Month! Here's SOCS member and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Efe Kakpovbia discussing the accurate diagnosis of eczema in richly pigmented skin.
Watch, learn, and share!
Hear from SOCS Advocacy Committee Co-Chair Dr. Elizabeth Kiracofe about her first foray into advocacy as a medical student.
In her engaging Skin of Color Savvy podcast conversation with American Academy of Dermatology President Dr. Murad Alam, they explore different ways clinicians can become involved in advocacy.
Tune into this excerpt and catch the full conversation here:
https://www.hcplive.com/view/reimbursement-coverage-care-gaps-patients-skin-of-color
10/01/2026
We were thrilled and honored to present a SOCS Scientific Session at the EADV - European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Congress this week, with great appreciation to our outstanding faculty, including Session Co-Chairs Dr. Henry Lim and Prof. Ncoza Dlova, and fellow presenters Dr. Julia Riley and Dr. Alia Galadari.
Thank you to our presenters for sharing their expertise and to all who joined us for this informative session covering a range of important skin of color dermatology topics.
09/30/2026
⏰Action Alerts for Skin of Color Dermatology Researchers:
CLOSING TOMORROW: Call for Scientific Abstracts for the 23rd Annual SOCS Scientific Symposium closes tomorrow!
Submit by Wednesday, October 1, 12:00 pm CT!
Details and apply: bit.ly/SOCSSymposium23CFA
OPENING SOON: The SOCS Research Awards Program has been a longtime pillar of the organization, supporting future leaders in skin of color dermatology research.
Applications for the 2027 SOCS Research Awards will open on October 5, 2026.
Check out the opportunities and prepare to apply:
skinofcolorsociety.org/what-we-do/research
09/28/2026
Skin of Color Savvy Podcast Episode Drop: Reimbursement, Coverage, and Care Gaps for Patients of Color:
Tune in to this important conversation between SOCS experts and dermatology leaders, Dr. Murad Alam, President of the American Academy of Dermatology, and Dr. Elizabeth Kiracofe, Co-Chair of the SOCS Advocacy Committee, about how health policy shapes access to dermatology care, particularly for patients of color.
https://www.hcplive.com/view/reimbursement-coverage-care-gaps-patients-skin-of-color
Skin of Color Savvy: Reimbursement, Coverage, and Care Gaps for Patients With Skin of Color | HCPLive Murad Alam, MD, and Elizabeth Kiracofe, MD, discuss how reimbursement, coverage, and advocacy shape dermatology access for patients with skin of color.
SOCS leader Dr. Nada Elbuluk shares about the new Skin of Color Society service initiative, SOCS Serves, in this excerpt from the latest Skin of Color Savvy podcast.
Catch the whole episode:
https://www.hcplive.com/view/skin-color-savvy-socs-serves-dermatology-pathways-community-trust
Skin of Color Savvy is the official SOCS podcast, produced twice monthly by HCPLive.
09/18/2026
Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month!
The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, along with numerous institutions, organizations, and individuals across the US, join together in paying tribute to the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society!
Explore the rich array of resources and meaningful tributes here:
hispanicheritagemonth.gov
Dr. Nada Elbuluk introduces SOCS Serves!
🌟SOCS Serves Launches!🌟
Hear from SOCS Immediate Past President and SOCS Serves Committee Co-Chair Dr. Nada Elbuluk , who shares how this new initiative empowers members to make an impact through community education and career pathway outreach.
SOCS Serves is a new member-driven initiative that equips members with ready-to-use resources to bring trusted skin health education and career pathway programming to the communities they serve.
Developed through the incredible efforts of the SOCS Serves Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Elbuluk and Dr. Temitayo Ogunleye, the program makes it easier for members to turn their passion for service into meaningful outreach.
Two Ways to Serve:
🌟SOCS Serves the Community: Bring accessible, trusted skin health education directly to your community. Members can select from topics including:
*Dry Skin & Eczema
*Sun Protection & Skin Cancer
*Pigmentary Disorders
*Follicular Disorders
*Skin Care 101
*Hair Care 101
🌟SOCS Serves the Pathway: Help inspire the next generation of physicians and dermatologists by introducing students from K–12 through medical school to careers in medicine and dermatology, with educational materials tailored to each audience.
*Elementary School
*Middle/ High School
*College
*Medical School
Are you interested in volunteering at an upcoming community event, health fair, school, or other outreach opportunity?
Request a SOCS Serves Toolkit to help make your event engaging, educational, and impactful.
Depending on the topic and audience selected, SOCS Serves Toolkits include:
*A ready-to-present PowerPoint deck
Educational handouts
*A SOCS Serves T-shirt for the SOCS member volunteer
*An electronic Host Guide with tips and resources
*Surveys for attendee and organizational feedback
*L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty product samples for Community events, based on the topic requested, or school swag for Pathway events
Request your toolkit and bring SOCS Serves to your community!
SOCS Serves is made possible thanks to L’Oréal Dermatological Beauty.
Learn more and get involved:
skinofcolorsociety.org/socs-serves
09/14/2026
🔬Skin of Color Dermatology Researchers:
The Call for Abstracts for the 23rd Annual Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium will close on October 1 at 12 pm CT. If you're thinking of submitting your oral or poster abstract, now's the time to take advantage of this exciting opportunity for SOCS members.
If you're not already a SOCS member and would like to submit, this is a perfect time to join the world's leading skin of color dermatology organization and become part of our global community.
Learn more and submit your scientific abstract soon:
bit.ly/SOCSSymposium23CFA
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