Melodie Blackwell, is a Crohn’s patient and founder of an organization called the Color of Crohn’s and Chronic Illness. Her organization is on a mission is to improve the quality of life for patients who are affected by IBD, Digestive Disorders and associated Chronic Illnesses through Community, Research, Education, and Advocacy. She created the #EquityInIBD Hybrid Patient Symposium focused on the Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) Patient community, the first patient symposium of its kind. For more information, visit cocci.org.