THURSDAY, AUGUST 7 · 8AM – 5PM PDT In a world that demands Black women constantly push beyond their limits, this year’s Reproductive Justice Conference centers a powerful theme: Minding Our Black Business. This is our declaration of self-determination – a commitment to protecting our bodies, honoring our choices, and reclaiming our rest, unapologetically. From the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the rise in reproductive cancers, and the persistent inequities in Black maternal health, Black women continue to face disproportionate risks. Today’s reproductive justice climate requires that we move with urgency and clarity. To mind our Black business is to resist systemic neglect, reclaim rest as our birthright, and demand justice in every aspect of reproductive care. Join us in critical conversations on how to protect the reproductive health and overall well-being of Black women and girls. Through esteemed panels, keynote talks and guest speakers, we’ll unpack topics like menopause, abortion care, HIV/AIDS, beauty justice, and much more. We invite birth workers, healthcare professionals, youth leaders, elders and community advocates in this gathering space for meaningful dialogue, shared insights, restoration and collective healing and take actionable steps to create a healthier more equitable future for Black women and girls. Sponsoring, Minding Our Black Business: Reclaiming Rest, Resilience and Liberation, offers a powerful opportunity to align your organization with a transformative movement centering the lives, voices and wellbeing of Black women and girls. Your support helps create a space in self determination, health and collective action –- one that aims to reshape the future of reproductive justice. Arnedra Jordan - Project Manager Arnedra Jordan is the Project Manager at Black Women for Wellness, overseeing the Beauty Justice Initiative. With over fifteen years of experience in the breast health field, Arnedra has dedicated her career to advocating for the health and well-being of Black women and girls. Her work involves providing education on environmental health, beauty justice, and breast health education, where she focuses on addressing harmful ingredients in beauty products and promoting comprehensive breast cancer awareness and prevention strategies. Jan Robinson Flint - Executive Director Black Women for Wellness, a woman-centered community-based organization that educates Black women and girls about reproductive justice issues, is led by Executive Director Janette Robinson Flint. She is also a member of the Los Angeles Coalition for Reproductive Justice, the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom, and In Our Own Voice, a national coalition of Black women advocating for reproductive justice. Erika Gist, MPH - Program Analyst Ms. Gist serves as the Program Analyst at Black Women for Wellness, where she plays a key role in developing and executing comprehensive program analysis reports that support improved curricula, effective program management, and adherence to grant deliverables. With a deep commitment to reproductive justice, she also co-chairs BWW’s annual Reproductive Justice Conference–a yearly convening that brings together community members, educators, advocates, health professionals and doulas to discuss the state of reproductive rights, reproductive health, reproductive justice and the overall well being of Black women and girls. With over 20 years of dedicated service to BWW, Ms. Gist brings a wealth of knowledge and a passionate commitment to advocating for the well-being of Black women and girls. Charity White - Project Specialist Charity Faye is a certified Wellness Chef and Healer. Currently, she serves as Program Specialist for Black Women for Wellness. As a chef with more than seven years of experience, she has developed a passion for assisting African Americans in overcoming the barriers that prevent them from living a healthy lifestyle. She seeks to remove all barriers to wellness by working with the Kitchen Divas and National Diabetes Prevention programs, increasing nutritional awareness, providing demonstrations of flavorful cooking, encouraging physical activity, and providing various healing modalities along the way. Myeisha Essex - Communications Director Myeisha Essex is a wellness advocate, journalist, and digital marketing specialist. Currently, she serves as the Communications Manager for Black Women for Wellness. Myeisha soared as a writer, producer, and social media strategist for some of today’s most well-known brands. She’s worked as Head of Social on the marketing team for sleep and meditation app Calm; senior editor at Entertainment Tonight; and managing editor of The Shade Room. A. Ja'Nea James - Environmental & Beauty Justice Support Specialist Adia “Ja’Nea” James is a third year medical student and a PRIME LEAD-ABC Scholar at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She was born and raised in Sweet Home Alabama, where her grandmother, a retired nurse, played a significant role in her upbringing and passion for community-based healthcare. Ja’Nea graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Gender and Women’s Studies on the pre-medical track. After college, she dedicated two years to Black Women for Wellness as the lead program coordinator for the Sisters in Motion Program. Her research interests include Black women’s health, gender dynamics in the Black community, and Black healing traditions and rituals. Outside of her studies and advocacy work, Ja’Nea loves to read, bike, kayak, longboard, skate, crochet, and FaceTime her baby cousins down South. Zea Malawa - Keeper of the Flow Zea Malawa is a mother, pediatrician and public health professional. She attended undergrad at Columbia University, med school at UCLA and then, after an 11 year break, she decided to accumulate more student debt by getting a master’s degree in public health from UC Berkeley in 2016. Over the past two decades, Dr. Malawa has worked for Public Health Departments, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and other public agencies across California earning her a depth of experience (and probably also trauma). She loves to use what she’s learned to help other healthcare systems advance equity for their patients and staff. Currently, Dr. Malawa is the director of Expecting Justice, a public health program that uses systems change and justice-oriented approaches to dismantle racism and close the racial gap in birth outcomes. In that capacity, she directs the Abundant Birth Project, the first pregnancy Guaranteed Income program in the US. Tiára Monique - DJ Tiára Monique is a powerhouse in the world of R&B, seamlessly blending her skills as a DJ, producer, songwriter, and artist. Since joining R&B ONLY—one of the biggest live celebrations of R&B music—in November 2018 , she has ascended to the role of Music Director , leading a roster of DJs and hosts while performing at sold-out shows nationwide . Known for her soulful sound and versatility , Tiara has captivated audiences with her dynamic performances and deep musical knowledge. Her ability to curate immersive musical experiences has made her a standout in the industry, earning her opportunities to share the stage with some of R&B’s most celebrated artists. Beyond live performances, Tiára has expanded her influence in the music world. She was the co-host of THE R&B ONLY Podcast from January to September 2024 , where she connected with fans and artists through engaging conversations on R&B culture. Her presence extends to major platforms, having been a guest DJ on Sway in the Morning (2023) and the R&B Money Podcast (2025). As an artist, Tiára is making waves with original music. She recently launched her own publishing company, AunTee Publishing and record label, Jam Ascension , solidifying her role as a creator and industry innovator. Her first official EP is set to drop in Spring/Summer 2025 , adding to her catalog of mixes and tracks that have gained traction on SoundCloud and streaming platforms. URGE Power, Policy, and Possibility: The National Landscape of Reproductive Justice As attacks on reproductive freedom escalate nationwide, understanding the current policy landscape is more urgent than ever. This timely panel will unpack key public policies shaping access to reproductive and maternal health care—from Medicaid/Medi-Cal to recent Supreme Court rulings and executive orders. Experts will also explore the federal reproductive health agenda, including efforts to advance maternal health equity and safeguard bodily autonomy. Together, we’ll examine what’s at stake, where opportunities for impact exist, and how we can strategically organize for justice in a shifting political climate. Panelist: Jasmine Young is a Staff Attorney at the National Health Law Program in Los Angeles, California. Jasmine engages in a broad range of policy and administrative advocacy on California’s health care programs and policies. Her advocacy work focuses on improving access to Medi-Cal mental health and reproductive services for Black, Indigenous, people of color, youth, and other underserved, low-income, and systematically impacted individuals. As a civil rights activist, Jasmine has dedicated herself to using her community organizing, legal, and policy advocacy skills to achieve racial and economic justice for Black, Indigenous, and people of color. During law school, Jasmine was a law review associate writer for the California Western International Law Journal and research assistant, where she dove into research and writing about issues concerning reproductive oppression, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on low-income and systematically impacted individuals, police violence, and anti-Black racism. She also worked and volunteered for various social justice and grassroot organizations, where she developed a passion for building and sustaining advocacy coalitions around systematic issues that affect Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. Jasmine received her B.A. in Political Science and B.S. in Criminal Justice from San Diego State University, and her J.D. from California Western School of Law. Dr. Aisha Wagner, MD (she/her) serves as the Fellowship Director of the TEACH Program. She graduated from the UCSF-SFGH FM residency and completed both the Reproductive Health Access Project fellowship in NYC and the Leadership Training Academy through Physicians for Reproductive Health–both focusing on advocacy for equity and access within the abortion world. She currently works at an FQHC in Los Angeles, contracts for Planned Parenthood Los Angeles, and is the consulting physician for Choix, a teleMAB clinic based in California. As a Black physician she draws pride in serving communities of color and strives to bring a reproductive justice framework into her learning, teaching and patient care. Dr. Wagner did her undergraduate studies at University of Puget Sound, attended medical school at University of Southern California and completed residency at the University of California San Francisco Family and Community Medicine Residency Program. Symphoni Barbee is a Legislative Advocate for Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California (PPAC). She joined the PPAC Government Affairs Team in Fall 2021 and has since played a pivotal role in advancing key legislative priorities. Symphoni’s work has been instrumental in the wake of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, as she lobbied for critical legislation to protect access to sexual and reproductive health care in California. Additionally, she has led coalition efforts to safeguard LGBTQ+ Californians from partisan attacks on health care access and successfully lobbied for legislation to combat misinformation about TGI health care. Symphoni was recently selected as lobbyist liaison to the California Coalition for Reproductive Freedom (CCRF). Prior to her role at PPAC, Symphoni served as a California Senate Fellow for Senator Nancy Skinner where she staffed SB 65 to expand maternal health care services for Californians. She is deeply passionate about public policy that impacts her community, including health care, environmental justice, and criminal justice issues. Outside of work you can catch Symphoni at the movies, at brunch, or near one of California’s many bodies of water. Planned Parenthood at the Crossroads: Policy Attacks, Black Health, and the Fight for Care In the wake of federal action stripping Planned Parenthood of Medicaid reimbursement, a move that will have sweeping consequences for reproductive health care across the country, this panel takes a hard look at what these changes mean on the ground. More than just a provider of abortions, Planned Parenthood offers a broad spectrum of essential services that communities, especially Black and under-resourced communities, rely on. This timely conversation brings together key leaders to unpack the implications of recent defunding, what’s at stake under the current administration, and how Planned Parenthood is adapting and responding, not just in policy and advocacy, but in practice. Panelist: Margot Taylor, VP of Strategy and Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles Abortion Justice: A Conversation on Care, Criminalization, and Community Power Abortion is not up for debate; it is a deeply human experience rooted in history, dignity, self-determination, and community. Long before it was medicalized, legislated, or criminalized, abortion care was practiced by and for our people. Today, even in states like California, often seen as safe havens for reproductive rights, Black women, queer, and trans folks continue to face clinic closures, rising costs, criminalization, systemic barriers, and limited access to compassionate post-abortion support. This session centers abortion justice as community care and political resistance. We’ll explore: Ash Williams (he/him) is a Black trans abortion doula, community organizer, and death worker from Fayetteville, NC. Since 2012, Ash’s work includes theorizing dance and performance art as tools for understanding reproductive oppression within Black queer trans resistance movements in the US; leading rapid response and guerrilla actions, particularly as architect of Charlotte Uprising, which followed the murder of Keith Lamont Scott, and abolitionist organizing at the intersections of reproductive justice and criminalization. This work has included co-leading a successful statewide campaign (#EndShacklingNC) to end the practice of shackling pregnant incarcerated people in North Carolina, as well as a successful campaign (#TransferKanauticaNow) to transfer Kanautica Zayre-Brown, a Black Transwoman, from a correctional facility designated for men to a women’s facility in 2019. For the last 8 years, Ash has been vigorously fighting to expand abortion access by funding abortions and training other people to become abortion doulas. He co-stewards an international abortion doula training program called ADT. Nancy Davis is a national advocate, organizer, and the founder of the Nancy Davis Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to reproductive justice, maternal health equity, and expanding access to care for people impacted by non-viable pregnancies and systemic barriers in healthcare. Nourbese Flint is President of All* Above All and All* Above All Action Fund, leading All* Above All’s work to achieve abortion justice and build the political power of voters of color. She previously served as Vice President of Strategy. Prior to coming to All* Above All, she was the Senior Director of Black Engagement at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, where she worked on the strategic partnership to strengthen Planned Parenthood’s relationships within existing racial justice, reproductive justice, Black serving and civil rights organizations. Before coming east, Nourbese served as the founding Executive Director of Black Women for Wellness Action Project, the first Black women’s reproductive justice 501c4 organization in the country, and successfully led campaign efforts to get progressive candidates into office. She also served as policy director and led civic engagement efforts for Black Women for Wellness Action Project’s sister organization, Black Women for Wellness. Beulah Osueke is a coach, strategist, and organizer. She’s the Executive Director of New Voices for Reproductive Justice, a movement organization dedicated to building power for and alongside Black women, Black queer folks, and Black marginalized communities in Pennsylvania and Ohio. In addition to working with New Voices, Beulah is a leadership member of ReFrame and the Radical Communicators Network, two narrative-focused organizations resourcing social justice communicators across the nation. Facilitator: Tyla Adams Workshop 1: 9 Losses, 1 Birth: Reclaiming Power, Purpose, and Policy Through the Reproductive Justice Lens Follow the reproductive justice journey of Rachell Dumas, MSN, RN, who faced eight miscarriages, a stillbirth, and years of fertility struggles before giving birth. Through her story and public health insights, she reveals the systemic gaps in Black maternal care and how they inspired her to found A Light After Nine, a nonprofit supporting women through grief and fertility challenges. This session calls for action at the intersection of policy, healing, and equity. Track Chair: Garbielle Brown & Adjoa Jones Speakers & Bios: Rachell Dumas, MSN, RN, is a nurse, maternal health strategist, and founder of A Light After Nine, a nonprofit supporting women through infertility, pregnancy loss, and maternal mental health challenges. After enduring eight miscarriages, a stillbirth, and multiple surgeries, she turned her personal pain into purpose, using her clinical expertise and advocacy to fight for reproductive justice. A nationally recognized speaker featured in Essence, NPR, and Women’s Health, Rachell works to ensure Black women are seen, heard, and supported in every step of their reproductive journey. Workshop 2: After the Cuts: Navigating the Post-Budget Landscape for Black Communities In the wake of finalized 2025 budgets, this session will examine the devastating impact of local, state, and federal disinvestment in Black communities—especially in healthcare, housing, and education. Panelists will unpack the political agendas behind these cuts, offer strategies to protect our communities, and explore how to organize powerfully without burning out. Track Chair: Meron Shita & Anthenette Drone Workshop 3: Owning Our Role: Black Men, Reproductive Justice & The Fight for Collective Liberation This session invites Black men into a powerful conversation about their role in advancing Reproductive Justice and supporting the safety, equity, and freedom of Black families. In line with the theme Minding Our Black Business, participants will explore the intersections of fatherhood, culture, and accountability—while challenging harmful narratives and embracing their power as advocates for justice. Track Chair: Deion Bailey & Erikan Attah Speakers & Bios: Davion Mauldin – Fatherhood Coordinator for LA DPH – African American Infant & Maternal Mortality initiative. San Diego State University graduate. M.S Human Services. The Expecting Father’s Group creator & facilitator. Black Daddy Dialog Co-Facilitator. Curator of content to train professionals on how to Improve engagement with black fathers. Community College Human Services professor. Over a decade working with children and families in Human Services in Los Angeles County in Orange County. Workshop 4: Grounded in Justice, Fueled by Youth Young people are powerful—and their voices matter in the fight for justice. This interactive session introduces youth to Reproductive Justice, bodily autonomy, and the importance of using their voice to spark change. Through creative activities and real talk, participants will explore how RJ shows up in their everyday lives and how they can take bold steps toward building a just world. Track Chair: Sharonnie Jackson & Tyla Adams Speakers & Bios: Tyla Adams serves as the Program Manager for the Sisters In Control Reproductive Justice program at Black Women for Wellness. In this role, Tyla oversees programming efforts and supports the coordination, strategic capacity, advancement, and evaluation efforts of programmatic and research activities related to the Reproductive Justice team. With a passion for sexual and reproductive health, especially for adolescents, Tyla is deeply committed to addressing systemic health inequities, advocating for policy change, and advancing anti-racism efforts. A Certified Health Education Specialist, Tyla earned her Master’s in Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health, where she concentrated in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences. She also holds a Bachelor’s in Public Health Studies, with a Pre-Med focus, from East Carolina University. Sharonnie Jackson is a proud Los Angeles native with a deep passion for empowering youth and uplifting Black communities. She holds a degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Northridge, where she cultivated a strong foundation in understanding the unique challenges facing underserved populations. With a career rooted in the nonprofit sector, Sharonnie is dedicated to addressing socio-economic and political disparities and equipping young people with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to become agents of change. Through her current work with the ROP program, she continues to advance the mission of uplifting and advocating for Black women and girls. Outside of her advocacy, Sharonnie is a licensed esthetician who loves all things skincare, exploring new food spots, and spending quality time with her loved ones. Workshop 5: Closing the Gap: Understanding and Addressing Postpartum Mortality Disparities for Black Women Black mothers face alarming rates of postpartum complications, even in areas with strong legal protections. This session offers clinical insight, storytelling, and practical tools to help identify early warning signs and address gaps in care. Participants will leave empowered to advocate for themselves and their loved ones, playing an active role in closing the maternal health disparity gap. Track Chair: Adia “Ja’Nea” James Speakers & Bios: Ọmọtayọ Balogun, MPH (she/they) is a third-year medical student at UC Irvine, in the PRIME LEAD-ABC program, which is training the next generation of physician-leaders to address health disparities for African, Black, and Caribbean communities. Prior to medical school, they served as Associate Director of Strategic Planning at a federally qualified health center in NYC and co-created Sippin’ & Spillin’, a sexual wellness intervention for Black women and nonbinary folks. At UCI, Omotayo is a student-leader in the Black PEARL Project, a doula-partnered care initiative. Omotayo is also a student-researcher working on Dr. Afshan Hameed’s multi-site Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Project. Workshop 6: Unspoken Loss: Infertility, Health & Reproductive Justice Infertility is a tender and often silent journey—but for Black women, it’s also shaped by medical neglect, systemic bias, and a lack of community support. In this session, we’ll hold space for honest conversation and healing, featuring the stories of women who’ve experienced multiple losses and the choice to freeze their eggs. Together, we’ll explore how conditions like fibroids, PCOS, and endometriosis impact our fertility, and why centering Black women’s voices in this conversation is essential to reproductive justice. Track Chair: Charity Faye Speakers & Bios: Joy McElveen is an actress, writer, and the founder of Joy Is Everywhere, a nonprofit movement dedicated to spreading joy through creativity, mindfulness, and community care. With a passion for storytelling and emotional truth, Joy brings her background in performance to uplift and empower others—on screen, on stage, and in real life. Through Joy Is Everywhere, she creates meaningful content, wellness events, and children’s programming that remind people, especially kids, that joy is a birthright. Whether acting, writing, or giving back, Joy’s work is rooted in purpose, play, and possibility. Courtney H. Simmons is a mother, wife, storyteller, and advocate who uses her personal journey of infertility, loss, and healing to uplift and empower others. With advanced degrees in communication and business from USC and Pepperdine, she brings over 20 years of experience in multimedia strategy rooted in purpose and storytelling. After losing her mother to cancer and enduring eight miscarriages, IVF, and a traumatic birth, Courtney founded Package of Prevention, a nonprofit focused on cancer education. She is featured in the PBS documentary Birthing Justice and is the author of Sydney Finds Her Shine, a children’s book celebrating Black girl brilliance. Today, she honors her path by creating space for truth, healing, and joy—while cherishing her favorite title: Mom. Dr. Semara Thomas completed her residency training in Obstetrics & Gynecology at the University of Virginia, where she served as administrative chief resident. This was followed by a three-year fellowship, specializing in Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility at the University of Southern California. Dr. Thomas earned her medical degree at the University of Pittsburgh and completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Columbia University. She additionally earned a Masters in Science degree, with a focus in epidemiology, from USC Keck School of Medicine. Dr. Thomas has written numerous scientific journal articles and book chapters for leading medical journals and textbooks. She has been a presenter at many national research conferences. She is Board Certified in Obstetrics & Gynecology. She is a member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Dr. Thomas is committed to helping her patients achieve their family-building goals. She is interested in egg freezing, nutrition and fertility, obesity, PCOS, LGBTQ care, fertility preservation in cancer patients, recurrent pregnancy loss, and premature ovarian insufficiency. She is currently seeing patients at Beverly Hills Fertility in Los Angeles, California. Workshop 7: Toxic Truths: A Chemist and Toxicologist Break Down What’s in Our Beauty Products Black women spend over $9 billion annually on beauty products—yet many of these products contain harmful chemicals that have been linked to breast cancer, reproductive harm, fertility challenges, and uterine fibroids. This powerful session explores the urgent need for beauty justice, a movement that demands transparency, regulation, and safer products for Black women. Associate toxicologist Veneese Evans and chemist Dr. Elissia Franklin, moderated by Janice Williams Oliver, will break down the health risks, share insights from the latest Consumer Reports study on braiding hair, and offer guidance on navigating safer alternatives. Participants will walk away with practical tools to protect themselves and advocate for industry-wide accountability—from everyday swaps to policy shifts. Track Chair: Madison Beckett and Valerie Monroe Dr. Elissia Franklin is a chemist, environmental health researcher, and science communicator dedicated to advancing beauty justice and addressing chemical exposures that disproportionately impact Black women. As a Research Scientist at Silent Spring Institute, she applies mass spectrometry and non-targeted analysis to investigate harmful ingredients in everyday products and advocate for safer alternatives. She earned her Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University, where her research advanced lipid analysis techniques for disease biomarker discovery. Her academic journey includes global research experience at Tsinghua University in Beijing and a Bachelor’s in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Veneese J.B. Evans holds a B.S. in microbiology from Cal Poly Pomona, and a Ph.D. in Integrative Pathobiology from UC Davis. Her research background includes inhalation and environmental toxicology, with a focus on oxidative stress and the impact of dietary antioxidants, particularly those found in mushrooms, on the lungs. Previously, Dr. Evans worked at Stantec Chemrisk, where she conducted risk assessments and developed toxicological profiles for chemicals of concern. Currently, Dr. Evans works for the Department of Toxic Substances Control in the Safer Consumer Products (SCP) Program. The SCP program aims to reduce toxic chemicals in consumer products, and help consumers and businesses identify what is in the products they buy for their families and customers. On Dr. Evans’s free time, she enjoys mentoring others and gardening. Jonisha Garcia is the founder and CEO of Hair, Love, Therapy LLC, a salon integrating mental health awareness with premium hair extension services. She also serves as co-founder and CEO of Eco Salon Pro LLC, an online platform guiding salon owners in reducing toxic chemical use and adopting eco-friendly practices. As a researcher at Occidental College, she contributes to Taking Stock, a study supporting Black women transitioning to natural hair and examining chemical exposure in Black and Latina communities Workshop 8: Still Rising: Menopause, Aging & the Power of Our Changing Bodies Menopause is a natural and powerful transition, yet for many Black women, it’s met with silence, stigma, and medical neglect. This session creates space for honest conversation about the emotional, physical, and spiritual shifts of aging—while challenging harmful myths and uplifting culturally rooted healing. Participants will leave affirmed, informed, and empowered to reclaim menopause as a sacred and powerful stage of life. Track Chair: Kim Robinson & Stephanie Haynes Speakers & Bios: Charyn is a native of Mt. Vernon, NY, and a graduate of Berklee College of Music. She has recorded and/or performed with Al B Sure!, MC Hammer, The Cranberries, Billy Porter, and was the only female keyboardist to tour with Barry White. A certified midlife doula, Charyn founded The Melanated Menopause Alliance to educate and address health disparities and medical injustices that plague melanated women. Through the Melanated Menopause Alliance she conducts individual and group programming and courses including a monthly midlife virtual meetup for women. She is a sought after speaker in the space and is making sure that Black and Brown women are included in the conversation. Dr. Kudzai Dombo was born in the US, but her parents moved to Zimbabwe at the age of eight. As a result, she grew up splitting her time between Rochester, New York and Harare, Zimbabwe. Dr. Kudzai Dombo graduated from The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and proceeded to attend Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, where she graduated in 2001. Dr. Kudzai Dombo is happy to advocate for her patients through this part of life that is typically overlooked. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, travel, and exercise. Sharon Malone, M.D., is a board-certified OB/GYN and a certified menopause practitioner who has practiced medicine in the nation’s capital for more than thirty years. She is the chief medical officer of Alloy Women’s Health and a passionate advocate for improved research and education around women’s health in midlife. She lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, Eric Holder. Workshop 9: Pleasure, Aging, & Wellness This empowering session centers the experiences of Black women navigating menopause as a powerful season of transformation, not loss. Together, we’ll unpack medical bias and the joy of rediscovering pleasure, sensuality, and self-worth. Track Chair: Kim Robinson and Stephanie Haynes Speakers & Bios: Dr. Gail Jackson, as the Board Certified Ob-GYN for the stars for over 30 years, Dr. Gail Jackson has always put women’s health as the utmost priority. For the last fifteen years, Dr. Jackson has become a pioneer in perimenopausal and menopausal hormone balancing. She realized the options were very limited for women to feel fabulous throughout life. Never one to accept the status-quo, she found cutting-edge approaches to preserve youthfulness. Dr. Jackson always offers the latest, safest and effective methods of therapies as her patients transition into their forties, fifties, sixties and beyond. Dr. Shannon Chavez is a licensed psychologist and certified sex therapist specializing in sexual wellness, relationships, and holistic mental health. She blends clinical expertise with mind-body practices to help people deepen connection and pleasure at every stage of life. Dr. Chavez offers therapy in California and coaching worldwide, and collaborates with top wellness brands to create content that breaks stigma and inspires change. She is also a sought-after speaker and educator redefining how we talk about intimacy. Her expert insights have been featured in The New York Times, GQ, and Women’s Health. Workshop 10: Driving for Change- Let’s Chat- What Does Reproductive Justice Mean to You? In this open, youth-led session, we’re diving into what reproductive justice really means from the youths perspective. Together, we’ll talk about the things that impact our lives every day, such as access to birth control, safe healthcare, body autonomy, media messages, beauty standards, and the right to make our own decisions. Through real talk, group reflection, and a creative “RJ Playlist” activity, we’ll help shape the soundtrack of what freedom, safety, and power sound like to your generation! Track Chair: Sharonnie and Tyla Adams Workshop 11: Breaking Cycles, Building Legacy: Black Masculinity, Accountability & the Reproductive Justice Movement Building on the theme Minding Our Own Black Business, this session invites Black men into a deeper space of healing, accountability, and reflection. Using the ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences) tool, participants will explore how trauma shapes masculinity, relationships, and responsibility—and how healing becomes a radical act of liberation within the Reproductive Justice movement. Track Chair: Deion Bailey, Erikan Speakers & Bios: Davion Mauldin – Fatherhood Coordinator for LA DPH – African American Infant & Maternal Mortality initiative. San Diego State University graduate. M.S Human Services. The Expecting Father’s Group creator & facilitator. Black Daddy Dialog Co-Facilitator. Curator of content to train professionals on how to Improve engagement with black fathers. Community College Human Services professor. Over a decade working with children and families in Human Services in Los Angeles County in Orange County. Yusef Wiley, originally known as Andre Lovell Wiley, is a dynamic keynote speaker, community leader, and social entrepreneur dedicated to transforming lives and fostering social justice. As the founder and CEO of Timelist Group, Inc., a nonprofit organization committed to reducing gang and youth violence, Yusef’s inspiring journey of resilience and renewal serves as a testament to the power of transformation. Born and raised in South-Central Los Angeles, Yusef’s early life was marked by involvement in gang activity, which culminated in a 22-year incarceration beginning at age 21. During his time in prison, he experienced a profound spiritual awakening, embracing Islam and discovering inner strength that helped him turn away from violence and crime. His release in 2012 marked the beginning of a new chapter—one focused on community empowerment and social change. With degrees in Small Business Management and Paralegal Studies, Yusef is also a certified trainer and personal coach. His work spans multiple sectors, including serving as a Commissioner on the Union City Human Relations Commission, teaching Islamic Studies at Averroes High School, and contributing to the Tayba Foundation. His initiatives focus on providing comprehensive support for parolees and probationers, addressing the root causes of youth violence, and promoting community healing. An accomplished author and speaker authoring two books, entitled “If I Knew Then” and “What I Know Now,” Yusef is passionate about education, mentorship, and community restoration. He continues to expand his academic pursuits in English, Journalism, and Political Science, while actively engaging in various business ventures. Through his work, Yusef Wiley exemplifies resilience, leadership, and the transformative power of faith and education—an impactful voice inspiring change across communities. Christian D. Green is a distinguished academic and advocate with a compelling personal narrative. Born in a prison cell to an incarcerated mother and an unknown father, he has surmounted extraordinary challenges and emerged as a beacon of resilience and success. A first-generation college graduate from Lancaster, California, Christian earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in African American Studies from UCLA in 2016. He furthered his education at UCLA, completing a Master of Arts in African American Studies in 2018. In Fall 2023, Christian was appointed as the inaugural Professor of African American Studies at West LA Community College, where he is instrumental in developing the curriculum and establishing the department. His contributions extend beyond academia: he serves as a national ambassador for the U.S. Truth Racial Healing and Transformation Coalition (US TRHT) and as the West Coast Director for Archives for Racial and Cultural Healing (ARCH). Additionally, as the Policy and Advocacy Director for Sanctuary of Hope, he works with Transitional Age Youth (TAY) to support their transition to adulthood. Christian’s impactful 2018 book, Uncovering Your Worth: From Legal Custody to UCLA, has provided him with a platform to speak nationally about his experiences within the child welfare system, offering inspiration and insight into overcoming adversity Workshop 12: The Abundant Birth Project :Reimagining Support for Black Families This session explores the powerful intersection of economic justice and reproductive health through the lens of California’s historic Momnibus Act (SB 65) and the launch of the Abundant Birth Project in Los Angeles County. Created to address maternal health disparities, the project provides guaranteed income to pregnant and parenting people—offering $807/month for 18 months to support their wellbeing during pregnancy and postpartum. Through personal storytelling and reflection, participants in the program will share how unconditional financial support has impacted their journeys—highlighting the connection between economic stability, birth outcomes, and dignity. This session invites attendees to witness the transformative power of investing directly in Black families and reimagine what real support for birthing people can look like. Track Chair: Adjoa Jones & Gabrielle Brown Speakers & Bios: Adjoa Jones is the Chief of the Birth Equity Unit and Director of the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative at the L.A. County Department of Public Health. With over 27 years of service in public health and human services, she has been a visionary leader in improving maternal health outcomes for Black women and families, including co-developing the AAIMM Prevention Initiative and launching the county’s first Community Action Team in South LA/South Bay. A former teen mom turned maternal health advocate, Adjoa holds a B.S. in Health Care Administration from CSU-Dominguez Hills and an MBA in Nonprofit Management. She is also a trained doula and lactation education specialist. Her work has been recognized with awards from St. Anne’s Family Services, Maternal Mental Health Now, and the California Black Health Network. Workshop 13: Beyond Survival: Centering Mental Health as Reproductive Justice This interactive workshop centers the role of mental health in reproductive justice, exploring how trauma, systemic injustice, and emotional burnout impact Black women and gender-expansive people’s ability to thrive. Participants will engage in dialogue, reflection, and skill-building activities to understand how mental wellness is essential to bodily autonomy, parenting, pleasure, rest, and healing. The session will also highlight the effects of birth trauma, stress-related reproductive health conditions, and emotional harm caused by inequitable systems of care. Track Chair: Kristy Powell Speakers & Bios: Bella Graham is a brand strategist, fractional CMO, writer, creative director, and trauma-informed coach who bridges the worlds of tech, beauty, embodiment, and communication. She has led brand and growth initiatives for startups and global companies alike, with a portfolio that includes work with Google, New York Fashion Week, and London Fashion Week. She is the creator of Sacral Alchemy—a coaching methodology that supports high capacity women in reclaiming their energy, voice, and presence through nervous system literacy, equine-assisted healing, creative expression, soft power, and dark feminine energetics. She is also the founder of Muse by Midnight, an immersive platform for ambitious, creative, and spiritually attuned women. Bella’s work is deeply informed by lived experience. She is a pancreatic cancer survivor and a woman navigating dysautonomia (POTS)—realities that have shaped her approach to leadership, healing, and self-advocacy in healthcare and beyond. Yolanda Whittington, LCSW is the founder and CEO of SISTAHFRIENDS, a non-profit organization dedicated to the behavioral health of BIPOC women and girls disproportionately impacted by social determinants of health including anti-blackness, systemic racism, gender oppression, social injustices, economic inequity, emotional and psychological trauma, and health disparities. Ms. Whittington has a 30-year career with the County of Los Angeles Department of Mental Health. Her professional experience includes serving children, youth, adults, and older adults, inclusive of special populations like LGBTQ, women, veterans, homeless, co-occurring, criminal justice involved, school-based mental health, domestic/intimate partner violence/human trafficked survivors, children in out-of-home placement, and geriatric care management. She has mental health experience including crisis and stabilization, acute psychiatric inpatient services, perinatal substance use/abuse, outpatient clinic services, MHSA/BHSA stakeholder planning and program implementation, contract management, quality management and continuous quality improvement. Ms. Whittington currently serves as an at large commissioner for the County of Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Commission. Ms. Whittington received her undergraduate degree in Social Work at California State University Los Angeles and earned her master’s in social work at the University of Southern California. Ms. Yolanda Whittington has received co-authored credit in several publication articles including but not limited to: “Improving Depression Care Among Adults with Serious Mental Illness in Under-resourced Areas: Community Coalitions Vs. Technical Support – American Psychiatric Association”; and “A Community-Partnered, Participatory Cluster-Randomized Study of Depression Care Quality Improvement: Three-year Outcomes – Psychiatric Services”. Workshop 14: Free to Be: Queer Liberation as Reproductive Justice Reproductive Justice must include the full spectrum of queer and trans lives. This session centers the voices, needs, and power of LGBTQ+ people—exploring how gender-affirming care, family-making, bodily autonomy, and safety are essential RJ issues. Through storytelling, discussion, and visioning, participants will unpack how systems of oppression show up in healthcare, policy, and culture—and how LGBTQ+ communities continue to resist, create, and care for one another. This is a space for truth-telling, celebration, and collective imagining of what liberation truly looks like. Track Chair: Myia Williams Workshop 15: Beyond Survival: Black Wellness, HIV, and Reproductive Justice Black communities—especially Black women, trans folks, and LGBTQ+ individuals—remain disproportionately impacted by HIV/AIDS due to systemic neglect, stigma, and barriers to care. This session centers the lived experiences of those most affected while exploring the intersections of reproductive justice, HIV prevention, and long-term wellness. Panelists will unpack the social and structural drivers of HIV, uplift culturally grounded healing strategies, and offer practical tools for advocacy, education, and community care. Together, we’ll envision a world where HIV prevention, treatment, and support are not just accessible—but affirming, liberatory, and rooted in joy. Track Chair: Danielle and Tiffany
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Kira Pegues, Public Affairs Manager at Planned Parenthood of the Pacific Southwest
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She founded the Nancy Davis Foundation after being denied life-saving abortion care in Louisiana, turning her own experience into a powerful movement for change. Nancy works to ensure everyone—especially Black women and people in the South—has access to the healthcare they deserve. Her work has reached millions across the country, and she continues to speak out, educate, and inspire through her foundation and public advocacy.
Workshops
Speakers & Bios:
A recognized thought leader, Dr. Franklin has presented at major scientific conferences and has been featured by the American Chemical Society. She is also the founder of The Research Her, a podcast that makes science relatable and accessible for Black families, bridging research with real-world impact.
Through her work, Dr. Franklin champions environmental justice, scientific equity, and public health advocacy, using her voice and research to build a healthier future for all communities.
As an obstetrician-gynecologist who did her residency training in the US in the early 2000s, Dr. Kudzai Dombo is very familiar with the concerns that arise with MHT/HRT. She recalls the echoes of “HRT can cause breast cancer and heart disease and can be a danger to patients,” after the WHI was published. But, the tides have turned, and now menopausal hormone therapy is considered the gold standard for symptom relief and longevity. She notes, there is so much additional benefit with nutrition, supplements, mindfulness and movement.
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