Dr. Rodney Williams is a chiropractor in Little Rock, Arkansas. Besides
providing patients the benefits of chiropractic care, Dr. Williams
serves on the executive of an association that is inherently geared to
supporting a minority of chiropractors but is increasing its already
widespread influence on the profession as a whole.
Dr. Rodney Williams is a chiropractor in Little Rock, Arkansas. Besides providing patients the benefits of chiropractic care, Dr. Williams serves on the executive of an association that is inherently geared to supporting a minority of chiropractors but is increasing its already widespread influence on the profession as a whole.
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Dr. Williams is the president of the American Black Chiropractic Association (ABCA). The association describes its mission as an effort to empower humanity in the expression of maximum health, wellness and human potential through universal chiropractic expression and utilization. The association facilitates its mission by assisting in the encouragement and recruitment of minority persons to study chiropractic, and by offering support to practising minority DCs.
IN SUPPORT OF EXCELLENCE AND EDUCATION
The association encourages research and development of the science, art and philosophy of chiropractic, donates time and service to health clinics, provides community education, and facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience among doctors of chiropractic. As well, the ABCA holds educational conferences of its own. These offer workshops, seminars and an opportunity to learn from industry representatives who provide products and services for the chiropractic profession to DCs and chiropractic students from the United States, Canada, and beyond.
HISTORY AND STUDENT INVOLVEMENT
In 2011, the ABCA celebrates 30 years of participation in the success of black and other minority chiropractors. (This milestone will be marked at the ABCA 30th Annual National Convention, to be held in Dallas, Texas, from June 23 to 26.) The association was founded by Dr. Bobby Westbrooks when he realized there was a need for supportive services for minorities in the chiropractic profession. It continues today as a volunteer society, also raising funds to ease some of the financial burden experienced by members of the Student American Black Chiropractic Association chapter of the ABCA by providing them with scholarships. (Proceeds from national conventions and other ABCA events go toward providing many of these scholarships.)
Over the years, the ABCA has partnered with students and personnel in a number of chiropractic educational institutions in order to work with, and support, minority chiropractic students. Among the schools where chapters and board members of the association can be found are Cleveland College West, Parker College of Chiropractic and Palmer College in Florida. As well, successful efforts at partnering with other chiropractic colleges have resulted in sponsorship for the association through schools such as Life University, Logan College of Chiropractic and Northwestern Health Sciences University, among others. Active student chapters of the association consistently work in their respective schools and communities to promote chiropractic as well as diversity.
BEYOND BORDERS
Williams notes that there are currently no official Canadian membership arms to the ABCA, but hopes the association will be able to work with more DCs and students outside of the United States, and especially in Canada. He does state, however, that Canadian minority students who study in U.S. chiropractic colleges, and/or remain in the United States to practise, are more than welcome to join, and work with, the ABCA. They are also eligible for its support and assistance.
As well, the association is looking beyond the United States to increase its partnerships and enhance its ability to assist as many minority chiropractors and students as possible, and to enhance their efforts to bring chiropractic to their communities and/or carry on a dialogue with their colleagues.
For more information regarding the ABCA, its work, becoming a partner or joining the association as a DC or student member, please visit www.abcachiro.com.•
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