By Asia Nail
The Truth Reporter
If skin could talk, Dr. Hope Mitchell would be its favorite listener.
Hope Mitchell, MD, is the founder and medical director of Mitchell Dermatology, where she has been helping people feel better in their skin, literally, for over 20 years. With a white coat like a superhero’s cape and a heart trained by love and legacy, she listens, heals and reminds you that your skin tells a story worth honoring.
As a board-certified dermatologist, her work isn’t just about rashes or acne—it’s about confidence, compassion and catching clues the body tries to whisper through the skin.
She’s not just a doctor; she’s a skin detective, a storyteller and a trailblazer. And guess what? She’s the kind of representation we didn’t always see but always needed.
Where Her Story Meets Her Science
“My journey began back in medical school when I had the pleasure of shadowing two brilliant professors of dermatology, Drs. Dorinda and Walter Shelley, within the Medicine Department at the Medical College of Ohio,” shares Dr. Mitchell.
Like watching magic up close, she saw how skin can be a window into the body’s secrets.
“I learned that a rash could be more than just a rash. It could be the body waving a red flag,” she explains.
But it was more than science that pulled her into dermatology—it was soul. “I didn’t see many dermatologists that looked like me,” she said. As a proud Black woman, Dr. Mitchell saw a need…and filled it. She wanted to serve her community and make people of color feel seen, heard, and healed.
So she launched Mitchell Dermatology in 2005, and 20 years later, she’s still growing, now in her very own building. That’s right. She doesn’t just run the practice; she owns the building too. Talk about goals!
Mom, Mentor and Motivation
Behind this strong doctor stands an even stronger woman—her mom. A nurse and single mother who raised two daughters while working hard and staying kind, her mother taught Hope the power of action, the joy of learning and the hustle of entrepreneurship.
“She showed me how to work hard and dream bigger,” she says. That dream includes writing as well. As a valued contributor to The Sojourner’s Truth, Dr. Hope uses her pen as power to educate readers on everything from lupus to hair loss.
What Does Excellence Look Like?
To Dr. Mitchell, dermatological excellence is two-fold: deep knowledge and deep kindness.
On the science side, she stresses the importance of seeing a board-certified medical doctor, not just anyone in a lab coat. “There are over 3,000 skin, hair and nail conditions,” she says. “And not every doctor treats them with the same passion.”
Her passion? Hair loss. And not just general hair loss—hair loss in Black women, which is often misunderstood or brushed aside. Patients come to her not just for answers, but for empathy. They might need to remove a wig, a headwrap or even their pride and Dr. Mitchell treats each person with care, never judgment.
Then comes the heart side: professionalism and compassion. “It starts at the front desk,” she says. “From the way we answer phones to the way we treat you in the exam room, every step matters.”
Skin Clues and Chronic Conditions
Did you know your skin might be the first to tell you that something’s wrong inside your body?
That’s why Dr. Hope Mitchell considers herself a skin detective. Conditions like lupus and psoriasis often show up on the skin before they show up in lab work. “We ask a lot of questions,” she says. “Sometimes I joke with patients, ‘I hope I’m not getting too much in your business!’ But truly, to help you, I need to know you.”
Dermatologists often work hand-in-hand with specialists like rheumatologists, OBGYNs, and endocrinologists. Hair shedding? Could be a thyroid issue. A rash? Maybe an autoimmune disorder.
“We’re not just treating what’s on the outside,” she says. “We’re solving the puzzle from the inside out.”
Educating Without Overwhelming
In the age of Google, patients often walk in with questions, ideas, and sometimes, misconceptions.
Dr. Mitchell welcomes it.
“I want patients to be informed,” she says. She breaks each appointment into three parts: (1) Listening and asking questions, (2) Examining the skin, and (3) Educating on what’s going on and what to do next.
“People are reading more in this digital age,” she says. “So I ask, ‘What do you think it might be?’ When we talk through it together, it builds trust. And trust leads to better care.”
Beauty Without Pressure
For many African-American patients, uneven skin tone is a top concern. Mitchell Dermatology offers chemical peels, laser treatments and injectables like Botox, but only after making sure a person’s skincare routine is solid. “It’s like building a house,” says Dr. Mitchell. “You don’t put up fancy windows without a strong foundation.”
She’s also working to bust myths around cosmetic procedures in Black communities. “A lot of people worry about safety for melanated skin,” she explains. “But these treatments are safe and effective when done correctly.”
What Needs to Go? DIY Skincare!
Dr. Mitchell’s biggest pet peeve? Homemade skincare products with mystery ingredients.
“People are putting stuff on their face without knowing what’s in it,” she warns. “The skin is an organ. It absorbs. Some of these ingredients can disrupt your hormones, or worse, cause cancer.”
She wants people to stop playing chemist and start playing it safe. “Don’t just buy something because it’s trending,” she says. “Do your homework—or better yet, see a dermatologist.”
A Final Word of Advice
Dr. Mitchell leaves us with three golden nuggets of wisdom:
- See a dermatologist early. Don’t wait until it’s worse.
- Check their credentials. Not every “skin expert” is a medical doctor.
- Don’t be afraid of second opinions. Your skin deserves the best.
In a world full of filters, Dr. Hope Mitchell is the real deal.
She treats skin, yes. But more than that, she treats people with warmth, wisdom, and the quiet confidence of a woman who turned her calling into purpose.
And for anyone who’s ever felt invisible because of their skin—she’s proof that representation doesn’t just matter. It heals.
Ed. Note: Dr. Hope Mitchell will be a regular contributor, starting in August, to The Truth’s health section which is included in the first week of every month. Discover expert, compassionate care at Mitchell Dermatology