When conversations around autoimmune diseases arise—particularly within Black and Caribbean circles—lupus tends to dominate the dialogue. Its impact is undeniable, especially among women of color, but the focus on lupus alone often leaves countless others unseen. Autoimmune disorders encompass more than 100 different conditions, including Sjögren’s, Crohn’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, rheumatoid arthritis, urticaria, and angioedema. Many of these are misunderstood, misdiagnosed, or dismissed altogether, causing women to navigate symptoms that disrupt their lives without the language or community to explain what they’re experiencing. For Caribbean women—who often carry the weight of family, cultural expectations, and community leadership—this lack of awareness can feel especially isolating.

E. Tishell Callwood-Warren, Autoimmune Warrior 
Photo Credit: Cherise Richards Photography.

My own journey through autoimmune illness opened my eyes to the profound gaps that exist in our healthcare conversations. As I navigated my symptoms, I realized that while support is plentiful for some conditions, the broader world of autoimmunity remains largely invisible. Even more concerning was the scarcity of support spaces created specifically for Black and Brown women, whose experiences with medical bias, cultural stigmas, and generational resilience shape how they cope, respond, and advocate for themselves. I found myself longing for a space where our voices, concerns, and victories were not just welcomed—but centered.

That longing became the foundation of She Thrives: An Autoimmune Collective, a Facebook community I launched to carve out the space I couldn’t find anywhere else. She Thrives is more than a support group—it’s a sanctuary. It’s a place where Caribbean women and women of color can gather to exchange knowledge, share their lived experiences, and validate one another’s struggles. Our live chats, survivor stories, and open discussions remind us that we are not defined by our diagnoses, and that thriving—emotionally, physically, and spiritually—is still possible.

What makes She Thrives unique is that it prioritizes the voices of women who are so often left out of wellness narratives. Caribbean women, in particular, navigate autoimmune disorders within contexts deeply influenced by culture, environment, and tradition. Yet our experiences are rarely represented in mainstream research or support communities. Creating a platform where we can educate one another, ask questions without judgment, and speak with honesty about our health has shown just how powerful community can be in the healing process.

The conversation about autoimmune diseases must expand—and expand boldly. It is time for our sisters across the Caribbean and diaspora to know that if their bodies are signaling distress, their experiences matter. It is time for our stories to be heard beyond lupus, beyond stereotypes, and beyond silence. Through She Thrives, I hope to usher in a movement that encourages early awareness, informed conversations, and above all, community support. Because when Caribbean women gather, uplift, and advocate for one another, we don’t just survive—we thrive.