( ENSPIRE Community Spotlight ) A Fresh Perspective on Oral Health Equity
Hey readers, get ready for a breath of fresh air – not just for your mouth, but for the future of dentistry! This past Thursday, September 26th, I had the pleasure of attending the second installment of The Whoa Collection, a powerful collaboration between LISTERINE® and Compound, a Black-founded creative powerhouse. This initiative aims to tackle the critical issue of diversity within the dental field, and the attendees experienced a night filled with inspiration, insightful conversation, and, of course, a lot of “whoa.”
The evening kicked off at a vibrant Brooklyn venue, The Compound. It was buzzing with guests, eager to learn more about the cause. The energy was palpable as we mingled with fellow attendees, enjoying delicious catered bites and exploring interactive exhibits that brought the campaign to life. But the real highlight was the panel discussion, moderated by the ever-inspiring Set Free Richardson, founder of Compound.
The panel was a star-studded affair, featuring diverse voices united by a common goal: increasing representation in dentistry. Multi-award-winning rapper Common graced the stage, lending his celebrity to the cause and sharing his personal experiences with oral hygiene. From childhood memories of grandma’s well-stocked medicine cabinet to maintaining a healthy smile as an adult, Common and Hebru’s story resonated with the audience, reminding us that oral health is a lifelong journey.
But the night wasn’t just about big names. We were also treated to the insights of Hebru Brantley and Frank Morrison, the talented Black artists who designed the stunning, Afro-futuristic artwork for the limited-edition LISTERINE® bottles. Each artist spoke passionately about the inspiration behind the designs, emphasizing the importance of making art accessible and aligning creative pursuits with social purpose. Dr. Zerita Buchanon spoke about the benefits the non-profit IDID gains from this fantastic collaboration for the community.
Another significant aspect that night was the unveiling of Common’s new song, “The Art of Freshness.” This powerful track, created specifically for The Whoa Collection, is a dynamic auditory element that brings the campaign to life. With its catchy beat and thought-provoking lyrics, the song is sure to spread awareness and inspire listeners to take action.
A key takeaway from the evening was the power of collaboration. Through the teamwork between LISTERINE® and Compound and the artists joining forces with a worthy cause, the night they demonstrated the ability to achieve positive change when talented individuals collaborate with a shared vision. There was a genuine sense of purpose in the room, a feeling that everyone involved was learning from each other and contributing to something bigger than themselves.
THE WHOA COLLECTION OVERVIEW
- LISTERINE® has launched the second installment of The Whoa Collection, a collaboration reinforcing the brand’s commitment to help close the diversity gap in dentistry within the Black community.
- Through The Whoa Collection, LISTERINE® continues to support the Increasing Diversity in Dentistry Pipeline Program (IDID)—a growing nonprofit providing solutions to racial disparity in the dental workforce—by providing a monetary donation and raising awareness of the organization.
THE WHOA COLLECTION ELEMENTS
To drive awareness and conversation around the need for Black representation in dentistry, The Whoa
Collection showcases:
- LIMITED EDITION BOTTLE ART designed by Hebru Brantley and Frank Morrison, available at Target.
- A BESPOKE MUSIC TRACK BY COMMON titled “The Art of Freshness.” Available to stream, at LISTERINE.com and on the brand’s YouTube channel.
- DOCUMENTARY AND DIGITAL CONTENT, directed by Set Free Richardson of Compound, to spotlight the brand’s mission to help close the diversity gap in dentistry within the Black community. Available to watch on LISTERINE.com and social channels next week.
- $150,000 MONETARY Donation to Increasing Diversity in Dentistry Pipeline Program (IDID) to help Black dental students in test prep, application assistance, scholarships, and practice grants.
Ultimately, The Whoa Collection is more than just a marketing campaign; it’s a movement. It’s about ensuring that everyone has access to quality dental care and that the field itself reflects the diversity of the communities it serves. If you want to get involved, head over to LISTERINE®’s website to learn more about The Whoa Collection, the Increasing Diversity in Dentistry Pipeline Program (IDID), and Common’s new song. Together, let’s ensure everyone gets to experience the “whoa” feeling of a healthy smile and access to quality dental care and that the field itself reflects the diversity of the communities it serves.
Related Articles: LISTERINE, King Saladeen, and Thundercat Collab to Close Gap in Dentistry Diversity, Minti Saves The Planet, One Smile at a Time
