Dionne L. Stalling is a beacon of empowerment and resilience in the realm of health advocacy. As the Founder and Executive Director of Rare and Black, her life’s work is dedicated to amplifying the voices and experiences of Black individuals navigating the complex landscape of rare diseases. With over a decade of formal advocacy experience and a lifetime of lived experience, Dionne is a powerhouse advocate whose impact reverberates far and wide. She brings an unwavering commitment to inclusivity and justice and is a driving force behind initiatives that strive to ensure equitable healthcare access for all. As a living testament to her mission, Dionne courageously battles not just one, but nine rare conditions with grace and determination. Her journey as a health advocate is deeply personal, stemming from her own experiences navigating a healthcare system often fraught with disparities and neglect.
Dionne’s dedication to advancing health equity is further underscored by her prestigious training as a Washington University Community Research Fellow, where she honed her skills and deepened her understanding of community-driven research methodologies. Beyond her role with Rare and Black, Dionne serves as a principal at Athari Strategies, a pioneering health equity consulting firm. In this role, she leverages her wealth of experience and expertise to drive meaningful change on a systemic level, working collaboratively with organizations to dismantle barriers and foster inclusive healthcare practices.