Black Women For Wellness 27th Annual Reproductive Justice Conference
About this Event
This year's conference, Harm to Healing: Dismantling Barriers to Reproductive Health for Black Women and Girls, seeks to confront the continuum of reproductive harm endured by Black women and girls. It is both a remembrance and a call to action acknowledging that Black women's bodies have historically been used for extraction, experimentation, and control. From forced reproduction of our ancestors to the surgical experiments of J. Marion Sims and the non-consensual use of Henrietta Lacks' cells, harm continues today in maternal disparities, dismissal of Black women's pain, and systemic barriers to reproductive autonomy. At this year's conference, we will hold space for truth-telling and collective healing. Together, we will dismantle systems that exploit our bodies and reclaim time for joy and healing.
Agenda
🕑: 08:00 AM - 08:30 AM
Registration and Breakfast
Info: Start your day with a warm welcome at our registration desk, enjoy a light breakfast, and take the opportunity to network with fellow attendees while exploring our vendor exhibits.
🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Info: Join us for a heartfelt welcome and opening remarks by Jan Robinson Flint, followed by a meaningful land acknowledgment and libations, and an inspiring cultural performance.
🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Keynote Speech
Host: Paris Hatcher
Info: Paris Hatcher, Founder and Director of Black Feminist Future, will be sharing a powerful Keynote Speech to begin our conference.
🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:15 AM
From Harm to Healing: Black Women, Reproductive Justice, and medical Bondage
Host: Dr. Lilanta Joy Bradley
Info: For generations, Black women’s bodies have been sites of experimentation, control, neglect, and systemic violence within the American healthcare system. From forced reproduction during slavery to present-day maternal health disparities, Black women continue to navigate a healthcare system shaped by racism, bias, and unequal treatment. Inspired by the work of Deirdre Cooper Owens and her groundbreaking book Medical Bondage, this panel will explore the historical and ongoing impact of medical racism on Black women’s reproductive health and bodily autonomy.
🕑: 10:15 AM - 10:30 AM
Refreshment Break
🕑: 10:15 AM - 11:45 AM
Morning Breakout Sessions
Info: Morning breakout sessions will feature a myriad of topics on Maternal and Infant Health, Beauty Justice, Housing Stability, Youth, Men's health, and more. Choose a topic that speaks to you and join in on their discussion!
🕑: 11:45 AM - 01:00 PM
Lunch and Networking
Info: Enjoy a vibrant lunch break filled with networking opportunities, resource and vendor tables, informative poster boards, art and wellness activities, and live music.
🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Reproductive Justice and the State of Black Women’s Health
Info: This panel will explore the current state of Black women's reproductive health and examine how federal, state, and local policies are shaping access to care. Panelists will discuss the intersection of abortion rights, maternal mortality, healthcare access, reproductive decision-making, and the political forces influencing reproductive freedom in America.
🕑: 02:00 PM - 02:15 PM
Break
🕑: 02:15 PM
Afternoon Breakout Sessions
Info: Afternoon breakout sessions will feature a myriad of topics on Maternal and Infant Health, LGBTQIA+ Health, Global Health, Youth, Men's health, and more. Choose a topic that speaks to you and join in on their discussion!
🕑: 03:15 PM - 03:30 PM
Break
🕑: 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Power Talks
Info: Listen in on 5 minute speeches on various topics that intersect with Reproductive Justice.
🕑: 04:00 PM - 04:30 PM
Closing Remarks and Departure
Where is it happening?
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
USD 108.55 to USD 161.90
