Introduction and Background

• Host: Lesie Pace introduces Malone Muende at Talks at Google
• Malone: UK medical student, equitable organization founder, author of "Mind the Gap" handbook
• Born in Zimbabwe, moved to UK early, studied medicine in London
• Medical school admission odds: 1 in 15 or 1 in 20 (extremely competitive)

Inspiration for Medical Career

• Health affects everyone regardless of profession
• Good at science in sixth form, worlds aligned
• Interested in how different people interact with healthcare differently
• Age-related healthcare engagement patterns fascinated him
• Continuous inquisitive mind and growth mindset

Identifying Healthcare Disparities in Medical Education

• Started medical school at 18 years old (UK system)
• 5-6 weeks into medical school noticed pattern: all conditions taught from one perspective
• Instructed to "look for red rash" - language assumes white skin presentation
• Older students confirmed: "always taught on white skin, work backwards for darker skins"
• Healthcare disparities awareness: black women 5x more likely to die during childbirth in UK
• Connected dots: inadequate training during education leads to healthcare disparities

Pandemic Impact on Healthcare Disparities

• Same coronavirus affected everyone globally
• Disproportionate impact on certain groups despite different healthcare systems
• UK statistics: black people 4x more likely to die of COVID, South Asian 3x, other minorities 2x
• Similar trends in US and western countries
• Reflection of marginalized groups in both societies

Mind the Gap Book Creation Process

• Initial problem identification 6 weeks into medical school
• Didn't feel empowered initially to challenge system
• Persistent thought pattern: "what does it look like on darker skin?"
• Multiple solution ideas: handbook, training sessions, research paper
• Chose handbook format - visual approach most effective
• Initial goal: change only their university department

Research Challenges

• Google Images search for conditions on darker skin yielded poor results
• Difficulty finding medical textbooks, research papers with diverse representation
• Patient consent issues blocked private doctor image sources
• Found scattered images in random internet locations
• Initially collected ~90 images, many too rare (1 in 10 million conditions)
• Final book: 31 images of common conditions
• Created on Google Doc, designed cover in 10 minutes on Photoshop

Unexpected Global Impact

• Expected limited response through friends' social networks
• Viral spread: John Boyega, Priyanka Chopra, Winnie Harlow shared work
• Featured on Good Morning America and multiple media outlets
• Only 30 pages but shifted medical care approach globally
• Minimum viable product concept - base product for iteration

Life Changes Post-Publication

• Relatively same daily life due to COVID lockdowns
• Increased confidence and empowerment to act on ideas
• Initially doubted 30-page work would meet expectations
• Proved small resources can create significant change

Black and Brown Skin Organization Vision

• Website: blackandbrownsskin.com
• Dedicated to improving healthcare for people of color
• Quality of healthcare shouldn't be compromised by skin color
• Currently: online encyclopedia with ~100 condition pictures
• Summer transition phase planned
• Metaphorical hospital concept with different departments:
  • Black women maternal health (5x death rate disparity)
  • Black men mental health (high suicide rates)
  • Various specialized community needs
• Global team expansion planned
• Blueprint on bedroom wall for daily motivation

Support Network and Mentorship

• Key supporters: Margot Turner and Dr. Peter Tam
• "Excellence is never individual" philosophy
• Margot enabled Mind the Gap physical creation
• Connected team members together
• Family and friends support during challenging periods
• Mentorship advice:
  • Know how to help yourself first
  • Understand what specific help you need
  • Stay guided by your vision and goals
  • Take advice with "pinch of salt"

Future Medical Career Vision

• Currently finishing third year (2 more years remaining)
• Believes future medical specialty doesn't currently exist
• Passionate about healthcare for marginalized communities in UK
• NHS acknowledges black women maternal mortality statistic but sets no reduction targets
• Wants to focus on prevention rather than treatment
• Create own lane between public health and general practice
• Connect with communities not engaging with healthcare
• Healthcare is 24/7: skincare routine, breakfast choices, exercise

Advice for Next Generation

• Never too young to make change
• Historical change-makers started at similar ages
• Compounding effect: 1% better daily creates significant annual growth
• Form habits early and maintain consistently
• Social media benefits: global connectivity and access
• Don't be afraid to reach out worldwide - "one Google meter away"
• Know your vision and why you're doing things
• Small consistent actions over years create phenomenal results

Personal Interests and Role Models

• Sneaker collecting (wearing favorite trainers for confidence)
• Favorite shoes: Jordan 1 Satin Red (owned), Off-White Jordan 4s (desired)
• Arsenal football fan (acknowledging team's recent decline)
• Role model inspiration: Nipsey Hussle
  • Self-belief and vision (sold mixtape for $100)
  • Artist growth and progression
  • "Marathon continues" philosophy
  • Owned masters, built lasting business infrastructure
• Book recommendation: "Shoe Dog" by Phil Knight (Nike memoir)
  • Real, personal connection to business building
  • Relatable struggles and vision persistence

Current Applications and Future Goals

• Mind the Gap used by London Ambulance Service
• Transferable across medical specialties (EMTs, paramedics)
• Vision to grow Mind the Gap to size of Kumar & Clark medical textbook
• Want to be role model for black boys in UK
• Limited representation beyond footballers and rappers
• Goal: help people while sleeping, in lectures - scalable impact
• Self-care routine: wash, tone, moisturize, SPF

Q&A Highlights

• UK curriculum change requires continued student advocacy and compounding efforts
• Mind the Gap as first pillar, needs sustained pressure for systemic change
• Summer expansion plans for Black and Brown Skin organization
• Global team building across US, UK, Germany, Africa
• Contact through website for involvement opportunities