Post #2 - Ruslam Aleman

 Ruslam Aleman

For our second presentation of the semester, I felt different but in a positive way, a bit more confident. Our topic was changemakers of the 2000s, and each of us was responsible for researching and presenting a person who made a meaningful impact in society. I presented on Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White, while my other group members covered Al Gore, Michelle Obama, Sara Blakely, Angelina Jolie, Steve Jobs, and LeBron James. Going into this presentation I felt more prepared because I had already experienced what it was like to organize slides, write a script, work with my group, and speak in front of the class from our first group project, so I wasn’t very nervous this time. 

When we first started to research on who to choose, I was immediately drawn to Dr. Velma Scantlebury-White. Many of the changemakers people choose are almost always politicians, celebrities, or business leaders, which isn’t bad, but Dr. Scantlebury stood out to me because she made her impact through medicine. I found her story incredibly inspiring, learning that she became the first African American woman transplant surgeon in the United States in 1989 made me realize how recent some of these milestones actually are. It reminded me that breaking barriers is not something that happened generations ago, but years ago and that continues to happen in modern history.

While creating my slides, I focused on organizing her story in a way that sounded great and natural. I firstly began with her early life in Barbados and how her parents’ strong work ethic and community values influenced her goals, I also explained her educational journey, including studying at the University of the West Indies and later moving to the United States to complete medical school and surgical training. I made sure to emphasize how competitive and demanding transplant surgery is, especially during a time when few women, and even fewer African American women were in that specialty. Preparing this section helped me understand the level of persistence and confidence she must have had to continue pushing forward in a field where she was often the only one who looked like her or even supported her.

One of the parts I found most meaningful to present was her mindset and philosophy. I explained her commitment to equity in healthcare, mentorship, and community empowerment. She believes that everyone deserves access to life-saving treatments, regardless of their background. Talking about this made me think more deeply about health gaps and how access to care is still unequal in many communities, which is insane to think about, you would think in 2026 this would be something of the past, but it still persists. It made her work feel even more impactful because she was not only performing surgeries but also advocating for the needed systemic change.

When I discussed the struggles she faced, I wanted to be honest about the barriers she encountered. As a Black woman in a white male dominated surgical field, she dealt with gender bias, race discrimination, and the pressure of constantly proving herself. Being the “first” often sounds like a title of honor, but it also means facing isolation and higher expectations. Presenting this part reminded me that changemakers are not only defined by their achievements, but also by the strength they show when overcoming obstacles.

I also highlighted her professional achievements, including performing more than 2,000 transplants, publishing numerous peer-reviewed research papers, and receiving major awards such as the Woman of Spirit Award and the Gift of Life Award. She contributed to medical research, improved transplant outcomes, and inspired greater diversity in healthcare. Her impact extended beyond individual patients to policies, mentorship, and representation.

The other aspect of the project required us to connect our changemaker to Miami Dade College which was also nice to think about. I suggested incorporating her story into health sciences programs, expanding research opportunities focused on health equity, and inviting professionals in transplant medicine to speak to students. Talking about how her legacy could influence students today made the topic feel more personal and relevant to our own academic journeys.

Listening to my classmates present their changemakers was equally interesting. Saida spoke about Al Gore and how he raised global awareness about climate change through advocacy and his documentary. Naharai presented Michelle Obama and her work promoting health, education, and empowerment for young kids in school. Oliver discussed Sara Blakely’s entrepreneurial journey and how she built Spanx from a small investment into a billion-dollar company. Mia highlighted Angelina Jolie’s humanitarian work with refugees and her advocacy for women’s health. Shaley explained how Steve Jobs transformed technology and communication, and Jeremiah talked about LeBron James and his influence both on and off the basketball court through education and philanthropy.

What stood out to me the most was how different each changemaker was, yet they all shared similar qualities. Whether in politics, business, entertainment, sports, technology, or medicine, they demonstrated vision, determination, and a willingness to challenge existing systems. This made me realize that being a changemaker does not depend on a specific career path. Instead, it depends on how someone uses their skills and platform to create lasting impact.

Compared to our first group presentation, I felt way more confident speaking this time. I was still a little nervous to be honest, but I felt more organized and comfortable reading my script. I noticed that our group transitions were smoother, and everyone seemed more prepared. Watching my classmates’ present also helped me recognize the importance of pacing, eye contact, which I still need to work on, and speaking naturally instead of relying too heavily on slides.

Overall, this presentation expanded my understanding of leadership and influence. It showed me that changemakers exist in every field and that real impact often comes from persistence and purpose. Learning about Dr. Velma Scantlebury White inspired me personally because her dedication to the healthcare industry really shows her deep love for her career is. This project reminded me that change does not always happen loudly or instantly, but through consistent effort and courage.