Inside the 5th Annual Autism in Black Conference with Maria Davis Pierre LMHC
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
Release Date: 03/19/2025
The 10 Most Embarrassing Questions Your Internist Wants You to Ask
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Just like there’s no stupid question, there’s no embarrassing question that you should allow your health to be affected by.” ⚡In this episode, I talk about the 10 most common questions patients find embarrassing to ask their doctors. From fatigue and bowel movements to mental health and skin issues, I discuss why it’s essential to overcome the fear of embarrassment and why you should communicate openly with your healthcare provider. Ignoring these questions can lead to serious health consequences, and I’m here to help you understand why asking them is vital for your health....
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Is your doctor really the blame
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 "When you are on the same plane as your doctor, you can tell your doctor things and your doctor can tell you things… But if there’s a misalignment going on, your doctor says one thing and you’ll say another thing, and you guys never meet in the middle. And that's how that doctor becomes the villain." ⚡ In this episode, I’m addressing the misconceptions surrounding the doctor-patient relationship and why doctors are often unfairly labeled as the villains in patients’ stories. I’ll explain how systemic issues and other external factors lead to misunderstandings and...
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What Your Doctor Wont Tell You
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Little did you know, there are some things that your doctor does not want to tell you—and that’s why you left that doctor’s appointment without getting that key question answered.” ⚡In this episode, I highlight the critical questions you often forget to ask during your doctor visit and reveal what information your healthcare provider “accidentally or likely purposely” does not tell you. 66% of adults walk out of their doctor's appointments without asking a key question, but this isn’t just a statistic—it’s a missed opportunity for vital information that could impact...
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The Dangers of Sleep Paralysis
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “If for five seconds, you were able to open your eyes but couldn't move the rest of your body, you'd be scared. That would probably be the longest five seconds of your life, if that’s what you were waking up to unexpectedly.” ⚡In this episode, I talk about the terrifying experience of sleep paralysis—a condition that affects 8-10% of the population and can leave you feeling helpless and frightened. I also uncover the science behind why it happens, the common triggers that can lead to these episodes, and the profound impact it can have on your sleep quality and mental health....
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Why Advances in Digital Health Is the Breakthrough Medicine Needs
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Health technology is going to be one of the biggest disruptors in the next decade… If you think you are too smart to be replaced by AI, you’re already in trouble.” ⚡In this episode, I discuss the transformative impact of digital health technology on the medical field. I also explore how advancements like AI and blockchain are set to disrupt traditional practices, improve patient care, and reduce administrative waste. With the global digital health market projected to reach $660 billion by 2030, the urgency to adapt is clear. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡ How AI is poised to...
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Medical Racism Isnt in the Past
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Just being Black in this medical field, in this medical system, puts you at a detriment. Medical racism isn’t in the past—it’s in our protocols.” ⚡In this episode, I talk about the long-standing issue of medical racism. Despite advancements in technology and medicine, race-specific assumptions continue to influence treatment decisions and outcomes for Black patients. So, join me as I explore the statistics, share personal experiences, and discuss actionable steps to combat this pressing issue. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡ The shocking statistics on medical treatment...
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The Mental Health Crisis in Black America
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Nearly one in five black adults in this country has a mental health illness, but only 1/3 of them are actually receiving any type of treatment for it.” ⚡In this episode, I talk about the mental health crisis affecting Black America. With alarming statistics revealing that nearly one in five Black adults experience mental health issues, yet only a fraction receives adequate care, I cover why mental health struggles are overlooked, underdiagnosed, and undertreated in the Black community—and what we can do to change it. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡ How cultural stigma and the...
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How you know If You Have Sleep Apnea Without the Sleep Study
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “Out of the 22 million people in this country who have sleep apnea, 80% of them don’t even know it.” ⚡In this episode, I talk about the often-overlooked condition of sleep apnea as I reveal how many people are living with it unknowingly and discuss practical ways you can identify potential symptoms without undergoing a sleep study test. So if you or someone you know suspects you have it, then this episode is for you. 🎧 Stay tuned to find out: ➡ How to recognize signs of sleep apnea in yourself and others ➡ The surprising statistics about sleep apnea prevalence ➡...
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The Healthcare System Isnt Broken
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “I'm not here to prove whether vaccines work or not. The proof is in the pudding. At this point, you've got to show me the data that says it didn't work. And I can assure you, don't waste your time. You're not going to show me any data—because nothing's there.” ⚡In this episode, I’m diving into the resurgence of COVID-19 with a focus on the NB1.8.1 variant. As summer approaches and travel increases, it’s crucial to understand the implications of this variant, its symptoms, and the importance of vaccination. Don’t let misinformation keep you in the dark! 🎧 Stay tuned to...
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Breaking Down the New COVID Variant NB.1.8.1
Lunch and Learn with Dr. Berry
💬 “I'm not here to prove whether vaccines work or not. The proof is in the pudding. At this point, you've got to show me the data that says it didn't work. And I can assure you, don't waste your time. You're not going to show me any data—because nothing's there.” ⚡In this episode, I’m diving into the resurgence of COVID-19 with a focus on the NB1.8.1 variant. As summer approaches and travel increases, it’s crucial to understand the implications of this variant, its symptoms, and the importance of vaccination. Don’t let misinformation keep you in the dark! 🎧 Stay tuned to...
info_outlineSo, let’s talk about Autism in Black’s 5th Annual Conference and why this one is a little bit more special than the others… If you are a Black autistic individual, a parent, caregiver, or educator to one, or an ally looking to provide better support for Black autistic individuals, this episode—and conference—are FOR YOU.
For so long, the Black autism community has struggled with access to resources, culturally responsive care, and finding safe spaces to learn and grow. Imagine having to fight every step of the way to ensure your child receives the support they need—the struggle is real and it leaves families feeling isolated and unheard.
But that’s exactly why we made sure that this year’s conference will be more special than ever. From IEP advocacy to mental health and Black fatherhood, this conference will break barriers, empower families, build community, and push for actionable change.
So, if you’re ready to make that happen, join me and my wife, Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC, as we take action towards transforming the future for the Black autism community.
🔗 REGISTER NOW FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL AUTISM IN BLACK CONFERENCE (April 11-13, 2024):
Why you need to check this episode:
- Discover the reason why Autism in Black was created, its evolution, and how the conference bridges gaps in autism advocacy for Black families;
- Have an overview of the conference’s topics along with the uniqueness of speakers you don’t want to miss;
- Understand why culturally responsive care is essential and how to advocate for it;
- Find out how the conference helps individuals, parents, educators, and professionals take action beyond the weekend; and
- Learn about the 5th Annual Autism in Black Conference's details (when and where it's happening this year).
“Our conference is for any and everyone who wants to learn. If you are working with the Black autistic community, if you are a Black autistic individual yourself, if you're a parent to a Black autistic child, or if you are wanting to really know how to support the Black autistic community, this conference is for you...The resources that we do will always be centered on the Black autistic experience, but you don't have to Black to attend...[But] those who don't look like us, you really need to be in the building to know how to provide that intersectional care, that culturally responsive care." – Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC
Notable Quotes:
"Especially with this conference, a lot of times, it's about getting people out of their comfort zone or putting people in a comfort zone because they've been so used to not being comfortable." – Dr. Berry Pierre
"Yes, we're there building community, but we know how that intersectionality of being Black with a disability is. And when we have to navigate society in a different way, we have to advocate in a different way. It's so important for us to teach actionable steps that you can start using immediately." – Maria Davis-Pierre, LMHC
"You don't have to be Black to be able to take care of the Black community." – Dr. Berry Pierre
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Resources:
🔗 REGISTER NOW FOR THE 5TH ANNUAL AUTISM IN BLACK CONFERENCE (April 11-13, 2024)
Connect with Maria Davis-Pierre and Autism in Black Inc.