African Americans pursued opportunities to train as specialists in the dental, medical and nursing fields.  While their numbers remained small, they continued to increase across all disciplines and specialties. With the assumption of leadership positions in academic institutions and teaching institutions by Black physicians, dentists and nurses, more opportunities were made available for students of color to train in advanced fields.  These pioneers and leaders benefitted from the struggles of Black health professionals who proceeded them, and at the same time, their legacy is one of expanded opportunities and access to health care not only for future generations of health professionals, but also for minority patients.

 Objectives:

 Describe the rate of growth of Black dental specialists and barriers and facilitators to this growth.

1. Describe the role of professional societies in promoting specialization of Black dentists.
2. Describe the system of training and certification of Black dental specialists.
3. Describe the rate of growth of Black medical specialists and barriers and facilitators to this growth.
4. Describe the role of professional societies in promoting specialization of Black physician.
5. Describe the system of training and certification of Black medical specialists.
6. Describe the role of professional societies in promoting Black nursing specialization and leadership
7. Describe career pathways for some of the national Black nurse specialists