Our Minds, Our Voices Woman of Distinction 2019 Honoree: Desiree T. Palmer, DMD
DURHAM, NC – Dr. Desiree T. Palmer, at a powerful awards luncheon honoring “Women of Distinction,” will be recognized for her work in the field of medicine. Taking place on March 2nd in observance of National Women’s History Month, The Aura Galleria will present its third annual “Our Minds, Our Voices” event honoring ten influential women in the categories of education, medicine, social justice, civil service, public service, technology, mental health, business, humanities and fashion and beauty.
Dr. Palmer is a practicing dentist and the owner of Desiree T. Palmer, DMD, PA and Associates. In August of 2015, she opened a second practice, Bull City Dental, on Historic Parrish Street, downtown Durham. A Washington, DC native, she graduated with a degree in biochemistry from Mount Holyoke College and received her professional education from Tufts School of Dental Medicine. After graduating, she practiced for four years in Boston, Massachusetts as a commissioned officer in the Public Health Service Corp.
In 1985, invited by Dr. Thomas B. Bass, Sr., a close family friend, she started her dental practice in his office at 1212 Fayetteville Street. She was the first African American woman to establish a private practice in Durham. In 1992, she relocated her practice to northern Durham. Dr. Palmer and her all female team of fifteen professionals strive to provide their patients with excellent, state of the art, dental care and exceptional service. As a team, they are committed to community service and have done projects such as: back to school back pack/supplies drive, coats/scarves and hats for kids, adopted families for Christmas and volunteered at both Urban Ministries and the Baptist Men’s Dental Bus.
Dr. Palmer has served on the boards of the Community Health Coalition, Project Access and the Thomas B. Bass, Sr. Academy. She holds professional memberships with the American Association of Women Dentist, the Academy of General Dentistry, National Dental Association and the Spear Education Study Club. In her spare time, Dr. Palmer lectures on dental health and especially enjoys mentoring young women who plan to enter the dental profession. She belongs to several community service organizations including, the Alpha Zeta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha and the Durham (NC) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated. She is an active member in her church, Holy Cross Catholic Church.
Dr. Palmer is married to Michael J. Palmer and they have three adult sons: Austen, Brandon and Colton. They are the proud grandparents of Brianna Lillie Palmer.
This year’s luncheon will feature media pioneer Cathy Hughes, an African-American entrepreneur, radio and television personality and business executive. Hughes founded the media company Radio One (now known as Urban One), and when the company went public in 1999, she became the first African-American woman to head a publicly traded corporation. In the 1970s, Hughes created the urban radio format called “The Quiet Storm” on Howard University’s radio station WHUR with disc jockey and fellow Howard student Melvin Lindsay.
This electrifying event is expected to draw 300 women and men, including local area high school students, college students and vendors. Attendees of all ages and ethnicities are encouraged to attend.
Vendor and exhibitor showcase: 11:00 am
Our Minds, Our Voices
Saturday, March 2, 2019
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
JB Duke Hotel
230 Science Drive
Durham, NC 27708