Promoting the Pharmacy Profession within Historically Black Colleges and Universities

At AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, one of our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives (DE&I) is to build relationships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The goal of the program is to expose diverse students to AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, build their knowledge of specialty pharmacy and provide a view into potential career paths and mentorship opportunities.  
 

“This supports our organization’s belief in a diverse culture and allows students the opportunity to consider a career in pharmacy,” says Ingrid Johnston, human resources compliance manager and DE&I leader at AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy. “HBCUs overwhelmingly contribute to the number of diverse pharmacists in the U.S. In fact, more than 20 of our pharmacists have graduated from HBCUs.”  
 

First HBCU Event at Florida A&M University 

HBCU graduates and pharmacists at AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, Wale Alayoku, PharmD, CPh, clinician logistics in specialty pharmacy, and Jerrad Logue, RPh, supervisor pharmacist in home delivery, recently presented to 161 students at Florida Agricultural & Mechanical University (FAMU) in Tallahassee. They shared their pharmacy career paths, talked about our business and the disease states we support, and answered students’ questions.  
 

Dr. Alayoku, a graduate of FAMU, hopes HBCU students get a sense of just how much they can do with their education, and how important it is to take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. “I also hope students understand that success is not only about getting good grades but also about finding your passion and making sure you're doing the work that matters to you,” he says. 
 

Logue feels having HBCU grads and pharmacists reach out to students is not only desired, but necessary. “Presenting a not so “traditional” pharmacy career path to the future pharmacists of the world can only benefit their potential for success,” he says. “Many HBCU students are not aware of or do not get exposure to mail order pharmacy and therefore do not pursue a career path towards its fulfilling profession. Much like our company’s purpose, this program provides hope and care for better tomorrows.”     
 

The FAMU program is the first in a series of HBCU outreach efforts. We’ve also identified opportunities to work with Texas Southern University in Houston and Howard University in Washington D.C. to consider mentorship programs and participate in job fairs.  
 

A Reflection on Our Commitment to DE&I 

What does it say about AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy that we are working to develop greater relationships with HBCUs? It exemplifies our commitment to DE&I. HBCU campuses are rich in diversity and are dedicated to the growth and success of Black students. Though enrollment is not limited to Black students, HBCUs focus on providing access and development to students who have been traditionally underrepresented. “For AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy, tapping into this showcases our commitment to a diverse organizational culture,” says Johnston. 
 

“I think it's great that the company I work for is so focused on HBCUs,” Dr. Alayoku says . “It's important to me to have opportunities to interact with people from different backgrounds, and I think it says a lot about my company that they make an effort to promote diversity and inclusion.” 
 

Adds Logue: “It is my hope that through this program we give HBCU students a better understanding and education on mail order pharmacy practice, encourage the pursuit of a very rewarding profession that can impact patients on a national level, and showcase AllianceRx Walgreens Pharmacy’s HBCU grads who hold numerous, different positions within our organization.” 
 

Wale Alayoku, PharmD, CPh, clinician logistics, is a FAMU graduate and was an active member in Kappa Psi pharmacy fraternity.      

Jerrad Logue, RPh, supervisor pharmacist in home delivery (center), at his graduation from Texas Southern University. 

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