Black Maternal Rights: Voices and Visions | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy
Type: Public event

Black Maternal Rights: Voices and Visions

Trotter Distinguished Leadership Series

Speaker

Leseliey Welch, Cassy Jones-McBryde, Tatiana Omolo

Date & time

Mar 12, 2024, 6:00-8:00 pm EDT

Location

Trotter Multicultural Center, Multipurpose Rooms 1-3
428 S State Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48109

Join Trotter Multicultural Center, Center for Racial Justice, and Black Maternal Equity Collective for Black Maternal Rights: Voices & Visions, a compelling panel event focusing on the multifaceted issue of Black maternal reproductive rights. This event will delve into the complexities of reproductive rights, health, and resources, with a specific lens on experiences affecting Black birth givers and families. We invite you to be part of this vital conversation as we navigate the challenges and celebrate the achievements in the ongoing journey toward reproductive justice.

About the speakers

Leseliey Welch, a driving force in the fight for birth equity and co-founder of Birth Detroit and Birth Center Equity. Leseliey brings firsthand knowledge from her past roles, including Executive Director of Birthing Project USA, Deputy Director of Public Health for the City of Detroit, and U-M Faculty in the Women's and Gender Studies Department. She will offer insights into the grassroots organization and the implementation of public health strategies that center on Black maternal health.

Tatiana Omolo, a proud alumna of U-M with a dual degree from the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy and the School of Social Work, currently serves as the Government & Policy Affairs Director for Mothering Justice. Tatiana's work lies at the pivotal intersection of racial and gender inequality within political systems and communities. Her strong commitment to dismantling harmful policies provides a framework for advocacy and educational initiatives aimed at fostering social change and empowering communities through political engagement.

Cassy Jones-McBryde, founder of The International Fuller Woman Network and creator of The Michigan Chamber of Reproductive Justice, spotlights the collective power of advocacy for reproductive self-determination. Cassy's mission to promote birth equity and reproductive health and sexual wellness has a particular focus on those within the African Diaspora, emphasizing the importance of community-centered voices in the fight for justice.