This first annual Black (in)Fertility Awareness Week, July 29th – August 4th, 2024, is dedicated to raising awareness, fostering dialogue, and advocating for the human rights of Black communities facing infertility across the African diaspora.
Infertility is not just a medical condition; it is a human rights issue. The ability to create a family is a fundamental human right that should be accessible to all, regardless of socioeconomic status or geography. Unfortunately, Black communities and couples often face systemic barriers that impede their access to fertility treatments. These barriers include financial constraints, lack of insurance coverage, and discriminatory practices within the healthcare system. Addressing infertility within our community is about ensuring equity and reproductive justice for all.
The focus of the week will be to engage in crucial conversations on human rights and reproductive justice. Explore the intersections of race, gender, and class in the context of infertility, and discuss strategies to dismantle the barriers that prevent equitable access to fertility treatments. Conversations will cover the following key areas:
Human Rights and Reproductive Justice:
Understanding infertility as a human rights issue.
Advocating for policies that promote reproductive justice and equity.
Emotional and Mental Impacts:
Addressing the emotional and psychological toll of infertility on Black individuals and couples.
Sharing personal stories and creating a supportive community.
Advocacy for Access to Affordable Treatment:
Highlighting the work of advocacy organizations striving to make fertility treatments more accessible and affordable.Our Events: (Add graphics and links if any to the event)
Events
July 30th at 1 p.m.: Navigating Black Fertility, Sickle Cells, and Fibroids
IG Live conversation with Tanika Gray Valbrun, founder of The White Dress Project, and Teonna Woolford, Co-Founder and CEO of Sickle Cell Reproductive Health Education Directive.
July 31st at 1 pm: Fertility, Grief and Loss
IG Conversation with Erica Freeman, Founder of Sisters In Loss, and Tamara Hunter Perinatal Mental Health Provider and Founder of Womb Wisdom Wellness LLC
July 29th at 3pm: Fertility Justice: A Human Right
Zoom conversation with SisterSong, Morehouse School of Medicine and Center for Reproductive Rights. Follow sistersong_woc on Instagram for registration information
August 1st at 6 pm: Eggs Over Easy Film and ART & Fertility Treatment Raffle winner announcement.
Date & Time: August 1st, 2024
Time: Doors Open at 6
Location: Limelight Theater
349 Decatur St SE
Atlanta, GA 30312
Following the screening, engage in a panel discussion featuring experts in reproductive and Black maternal health. We’ll meet advocates leading work to support families while navigating their fertility and desires to create a family. Gain insight into the unique obstacles faced by Black communities, including disparities in access to care and the impact social stigma has on Black women.
Our guest panelists:
Dr. Lasha Clarke – Morehouse School of Medicine
Karla Torres – Center For Reproductive Rights
Dr. Camille Hammond – Cade Foundation
Dr. Karenne Fru - Founder and Medical Director of Muna Fertility
Keshia Knight Pulliam - Executive Producer of Eggs Over Easy. Emmy-nominated and award-winning actress
We will do a silent raffle winner announcement after the panel discussion.
Information about the Raffle: link to raffle https://form.jotform.com/241766701171050
To register for the film screening and raffle folks can go to our Instagram @sistersong_woc
We’re awarding over $40,000 in fertility care with Muna Fertility based here in Atlanta, GA Prizes include 1 round of IVF, 2 egg-freezing packages, and 5 fertility consultations with Dr. Karenne Fru, Founder and Medical Director of Muna Fertility
How It Works: Participants will fill out the application form for the raffle. We will then announce the winner at the Eggs Over Easy film screening on August 1st in Atlanta, GA. Applicants must be Georgia residents, have a need for financial assistance with fertility treatments, and attend the film screening.
Focus Communities: For this raffle, we will center our support on Black families, couples, and communities, including queer, trans, and non-binary individuals residing in Georgia, who need financial assistance to create a family through Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) or fertility treatment.
