Hello

For the past few months, we have been working diligently to ensure that women of color nominated by the Biden Administration for key positions are confirmed by Congress. For some women like Kristen Clarke it has been an uphill battle. She’s endured false attacks on her record and disrespectful questioning from Republicans during her Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. Despite their attacks, I’m excited to announce that Kristen was confirmed by the full Senate on May 25 as the first Black woman to serve as assistant attorney general for civil rights at the Department of Justice.

I want to thank you for answering our call to contact your Senators to demand they support Kristen. Whether you responded to our action alerts and sent a letter to your senator, joined the May 18 Kristen Clarke Day of Action, or supported the #wehaveherback campaign on social media – we couldn’t have done it without you. 

Your activism is tied to the success of our advocacy work, and we will be calling on you even more as we prepare to release our Black Reproductive Justice Policy Agenda on June 15. The Agenda was created in collaboration with more than 30 Black Reproductive Justice organizations and activists, covers more than 25 topics that fall under social and community justice, sexual and reproductive health, and religious freedom. The Agenda offers proactive policy solutions to address issues at the intersections of race, gender, class, sexual orientation, and gender identity within the situational impacts of economics, politics, and culture that make up the lived experiences of Black women, femmes, girls, and gender-expansive people in this country.

We invite you to be part of the conversation. We are planning several days of action that will allow you to easily participate on social media to alert your members of Congress about this innovative and important policy vision. So be sure to follow us on social media to keep up with all of the activities.  

Marcela Howell
President & CEO
In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice
Members of the Blueprint for Sexual and Reproductive Health, Rights, and Justice are celebrating its success in pushing the Biden administration to prioritize sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice during the president's first 100 days.
'The Lives and Voices of Black Families' Polling Webinar
Four years after In Our Own Voice's last poll of the Black community, we conducted another study of Black adults’ views toward the political landscape at the end of the Trump administration. The goal of the research was to provide a resource for policymakers, media, and other parties who want to understand the lives of Black adults in America and the effects of policy decisions on their lives. Join us on June 10 at 2 P.M. E.T., for a webinar on the polling results.
Summer Activism
Summer is here, and although In Our Own Voice's Next Generation Leadership Institute is on hiatus, our fellows' Reproductive Justice doesn't stop. Many of our fellows have secured internships at prominent universities and organizations devoted to bettering health outcomes for Black women. The focus of their work spans from HIV prevention, to abortion access to voter education. Here’s a look at how some of the Next Generation Leadership Institute fellows are making Reproductive Justice a part of their summer.
Asia Brown (Spelman College)
Intern, Access Reproductive Care — Southeast
Madison Harris (Howard University)
Communications Intern, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
Bailey Roberts (Spelman University)
Summer Public Health Scholar, Columbia University
Amaya Ronczyk (Dillard University)
Government Affairs Intern, In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda
Amber Wynne (Hampton University)
Intern, Congressional Black Caucus
Get Tested. Grab a Bite

The Afiya Center is hostings its annual 'Get Tested. Grab a Bite.' event on June 27 from 12 P.M. - 4 P.M. Attendees can get tested for HIV, get food, and participate in raffles and giveaways.
'What's Your Pleasure?' Webinar

Alongside several other organizations, SisterLove will co-host What's Your Pleasure? Expanding Your Choices on the HIV Prevention Buffet on June 29, starting at 9:00 A.M. The event will feature several HIV prevention experts and will provide an update on the HIV prevention research pipeline.