For far too long, menopause has lived in the shadows of womanhood — treated as a quiet, uncomfortable topic that too many Black women have been told to simply “push through.” But Detroit’s own Dr. Bryanne Standifer-Barrett, MD, MSCP, is flipping that script. She’s making sure Black women are seen, heard, and equipped to reclaim every stage of their midlife journey.
On November 20, 2025, she’s hosting The Glow Through It: Peri & Menopause Dinner Experience at Pearl’s Event Center in Southfield. The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. and reaches far beyond a dinner, it’s a gathering of shared truth, laughter, and learning. Guests will dine, connect, and shop curated vendors like Pelvic Noire, Black Girl Vitamins, Midnight Phoenix, and The Style Guru, while hearing directly from Dr. Standifer-Barrett about what it means to “glow through” menopause, not suffer through it.
“Too many women suffer in silence or confusion when it comes to menopause,” she says. “This event is about bringing those conversations into the light. It’s time to normalize menopause and make sure every woman knows she can glow through it, not just go through it.”
Her words reflect a deeper reality. Studies show that Black women experience menopause earlier and with more severe symptoms than their white counterparts — hot flashes, mood shifts, and sleep challenges that often last longer and go untreated. Yet, their pain is routinely dismissed. The silence surrounding Black women’s health, especially during midlife, is systemic.
Dr. Standifer-Barrett calls that out with care and expertise. Born and raised on Detroit’s east side, she built her career around breaking that cycle. She’s a board-certified internist and North American Menopause Society Certified Practitioner who specializes in chronic disease prevention, nutrition, and women’s wellness. She also teaches internal medicine, serves on the Michigan State University College of Human Medicine Alumni Board, and advises Black Girl Vitamins — all while leading national conversations on menopause, health equity, and midlife care.
Her message is simple but radical: menopause isn’t the end of youth or vibrancy. It’s a beginning, one that deserves community, clarity, and celebration.
That’s what Glow Through It is about. A room full of women who look like each other, learning from one another, and laughing through what’s too often called “the change.” Because when the conversation shifts, so does the culture.
Tickets and event details can be found at themenopauseinternist.com. Follow @themenopauseinternist on Instagram and @Beyondthe15Minutes on YouTube.
