Making History: Black T1D Advocates Redefining Diabetes Awareness

In honor of Black History Month, T1D Strong highlights these leaders who’ve made significant contributions in fundraising, research, social media, and healthcare for type 1 diabetes (T1D).

By combating misdiagnosis (Black adults are incorrectly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes when they actually have type 1) and driving awareness, they’re bridging the gap in trust and access, ensuring better health outcomes for all. 

Here are nine Top Black Type 1 Advocates Making a Difference

1. Kendall Simmons

In 2003, a year after he started playing professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Kendall Simmons was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Thinking his symptoms were due to intensive summer training, Simmons was hospitalized and went temporarily blind for a week. 

He soon recovered and went on to win two Super Bowl championships and to have a successful seven-year run with the Steelers. Most recently, he served as the Offensive Line Coach at Middle Tennessee State University, but has since stepped away from coaching.

Throughout his career and beyond, Simmons remains a staunch advocate for diabetes, hosting Swing For Diabetes, a golf tournament to raise funds for the Diabetes and Nutrition Center of East Alabama. Additionally, Simmons is also a Dexcom Warrior and diabetes patient ambassador for Novo Nordisk. He frequently speaks at conferences such as Children with Diabetes to inspire others living with type 1.

2. Phyllisa Deroze, Ph.D.

As Director of Community at dQ&A (The Research Company) and founder of Black Diabetic Info, Deroze provides resources, education, and personal stories to uplift the community and combat misdiagnosis. She’s a high-profile advocate for the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) and hosts its D-Talk podcast, where she discusses diabetes management and well-being.

Deroze is a professor, diabetes educator, prolific writer and global patient advocate. In 2011, she was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Eight years later, after a serious illness, she was diagnosed again with Latent Autoimmune Diabetes in Adults (LADA), a form of type 1. She contributes to diabetes awareness through her YouTube vlogs, social media platforms (Diagnosed Not Defeated), in-person workshops, essays, and worldwide keynote speeches.

3. Safiyah Basir

T1D author, advocate, and podcast host empowers others to face the daily challenges of life with type 1 diabetes. Basir, who’s lived with type 1 since age seven, is an American Diabetes Association (ADA) Ambassador. She’s also written a children’s book, I Will Take Care of My Diabetes and I Can, to change the perception of diabetes from an ‘illness’ to one that inspires hope.

Her podcast, Diabetic Loving, promotes positivity, health and wellness, particularly for pregnant women. Basir’s message is to change the narrative about what it means to have diabetes.

4. Gary Forbes

Gary Forbes is a former NBA player (Denver Nuggets, Toronto Raptors, Brooklyn Nets) and outspoken advocate for T1D. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 19, Forbes has been open about his journey managing the condition while competing at the highest level.

Through his speaking engagements, mentorship, and community initiatives, Forbes emphasizes the importance of education and self-care. Today, Forbes is the founder and CEO of SOULSURVIVORS, LLC, and the author of the Sole Survivors comic book series, which supports children with chronic health conditions.

5. Marlee Fray

Marlee Fray is a professional soccer player for FFC Wacker München 99 in Germany. She previously played NCAA Division I soccer for the Oral Roberts Golden Eagles and the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she won a Conference USA Championship.

Diagnosed with T1D at age two, she has over 20 years of experience managing her condition and competing at elite athletic levels. She uses her platform as a professional athlete to educate and empower young athletes with type 1 diabetes. Additionally, Fray is a Breakthrough T1D Role Model, a Dexcom Warrior, and actively sparks community engagement to show that diabetes should not be a barrier to achieving your dreams.

6. Damon Dash

Music producer and entrepreneur Damon Dash was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 15. The prominent type 1 advocate co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records and is now a public figure in the community.

He created the Dash Diabetes Network in 2017, a multi-media platform featuring cooking segments, wellness tips and interviews with medical experts.

Dash is also a spokesperson for Afrezza, the rapid-acting inhaled insulin, and a long-time supporter of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF). He works to dismantle the stigma around diabetes, with a focus on holistic lifestyle and mental resilience.

7. Cherise Shockley

Another top-tier T1D advocate is Cherise Shockley, founder of Diabetes Social Media Advocacy (DSMA), one of the most influential patient-led advocacy platforms in diabetes.

For over a decade, DSMA has shaped national conversations about access, equity and patient voice. Shockley, diagnosed with LADA in 2004, created the Blue Fridays initiative and Women of Color (WOC) Diabetes. Her work has transformed online diabetes spaces and elevated marginalized voices within the T1D community.

8. Shay Webb

Shay Webb is a powerful health equity advocate living with type 1 diabetes. Her work focuses on racial disparities in diagnosis, access and care. Her advocacy targets policy, screening standards, and provider bias.

Webb is also a clinical research professional, writer and global public speaker dedicated to advancing diversity in clinical research.

As a leading voice for improved education, early detection, and systemic change in healthcare, she’s been invited to speak on a variety of platforms to various audiences, including the White House HBCU initiative, the NC General Assembly, and the Association of Clinical Research Professionals (ACRP).

9. Ariel Lawrence

T1D content creator of Just a Little Suga’ (JALS) Ariel Lawrence, uses her platform to highlight the everyday realities of managing type 1 diabetes while uplifting and uniting Black women everywhere.

Lawrence uses her storytelling to educate and encourage others. Building community through her digital media impacts cultural visibility. Her work directly addresses self-care, pregnancy, peer support and mental health outcomes.

To learn more about T1D advocacy, here is a list of helpful resources:

• Black at Breakthrough T1D: An employee resource group within Breakthrough T1D that focuses on expanding access to care for the Black community.
• Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI): BWHI focuses on health equity and resources for Black females of all ages with diabetes and other chronic illnesses. 
• African-American Diabetes Association (AADA): The AADA provides education and resources to help manage diabetes in the Black community. 
• National Black Leadership Commission on Health: National Black HEALth is the oldest and largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to mobilizing Black leaders to address health disparities. 
• Diversity in Diabetes (DiD): DiD’s core focus is education, resources, and support for the BIPOC community.
• Center for Black Health & Equity: This national organization facilitates public health programs and services that benefit communities.

Role Models for Change

This is a short list of many in the Black community who advocate for and promote healthy engagement and make a difference in the lives of BIPOC individuals. These individuals show that while living with type 1 diabetes is challenging, it only makes them stronger.