By Clementé G. Love
Thanks to the La Leche League USA commitment to diversity and inclusion through their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Black Maternal Health Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This incredible two-day event brought together people passionate about improving maternal health, especially within the Black community. The energy, connections, and shared purpose were truly inspiring.
The conference was packed with opportunities to learn and grow. I co-presented a session called Reimagining Reproductive Justice for Black Girls and Their Bodies, where we talked about how to address the over-sexualization of Black girls and empower them to understand their bodies and their potential. We highlighted the importance of teaching children, especially girls, about how their bodies work and what they’re capable of, particularly when it comes to lactation. It’s all about giving the next generation the confidence to embrace their amazing capabilities and know they have support.
One of my favorite sessions was led by Stephanie Amekuedi, who presented Capturing a Revolution: Leveraging Photography and Social Media to Redefine Black Women’s Breastfeeding Norms to Cultivate Positive Change. Her talk was all about using photos and social media to tell powerful stories and inspire change in how we see and support Black breastfeeding families.
This conference wasn’t just about presentations, though, it was about connection. Earlier this year, I attended the Texas Reproductive Justice Summit in Dallas, where I met so many amazing people working for change. It was such a joy to see them again in Atlanta, sharing ideas and building on our collective work. Policymakers, researchers, and advocates came together to explore real solutions to the challenges Black families face, including access to lactation support and resources.
I also reconnected with leaders from The B.L.A.C.K. Course, an amazing program that provides lactation education specifically designed by and for Black people. This course helps aspiring lactation professionals build the skills and knowledge they need to support families in their communities. It was a powerful reminder that representation and education go hand in hand when it comes to creating change.
Another unforgettable moment was meeting Kimberly Seals Allers, an award-winning journalist, author of The Big Letdown, and co-founder of Black Breastfeeding Week. Her work has paved the way for so many conversations about the importance of breastfeeding in the Black community. As a recipient of the 2024 Black Breastfeeding Week Scholarship Award, being in the same space with her and others who share this mission was so meaningful.
Conferences like this remind me why I do this work. They reignite my passion when times get hard and remind me I’m not alone. Being surrounded by others who understand the challenges we face and the dreams we share is powerful. We laugh, learn, support each other, and leave feeling ready to keep pushing forward.
This experience left me feeling more inspired than ever to continue holding space and advocating for families, even in spaces where our voices might not always be heard. Together, we are building a community, strengthening families, and showing that, with the right support, anything is possible.
Read about other conferences:
Send your story ideas to New Beginnings editor, Kylie, at [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
Leave a Comment
Posted: December 10, 2024 by Yael Breimer
Learning through Conferences: 2024 Black Maternal Health Conference
By Clementé G. Love
Thanks to the La Leche League USA commitment to diversity and inclusion through their Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Black Maternal Health Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. This incredible two-day event brought together people passionate about improving maternal health, especially within the Black community. The energy, connections, and shared purpose were truly inspiring.
One of my favorite sessions was led by Stephanie Amekuedi, who presented Capturing a Revolution: Leveraging Photography and Social Media to Redefine Black Women’s Breastfeeding Norms to Cultivate Positive Change. Her talk was all about using photos and social media to tell powerful stories and inspire change in how we see and support Black breastfeeding families.
I also reconnected with leaders from The B.L.A.C.K. Course, an amazing program that provides lactation education specifically designed by and for Black people. This course helps aspiring lactation professionals build the skills and knowledge they need to support families in their communities. It was a powerful reminder that representation and education go hand in hand when it comes to creating change.
Another unforgettable moment was meeting Kimberly Seals Allers, an award-winning journalist, author of The Big Letdown, and co-founder of Black Breastfeeding Week. Her work has paved the way for so many conversations about the importance of breastfeeding in the Black community. As a recipient of the 2024 Black Breastfeeding Week Scholarship Award, being in the same space with her and others who share this mission was so meaningful.
Conferences like this remind me why I do this work. They reignite my passion when times get hard and remind me I’m not alone. Being surrounded by others who understand the challenges we face and the dreams we share is powerful. We laugh, learn, support each other, and leave feeling ready to keep pushing forward.
This experience left me feeling more inspired than ever to continue holding space and advocating for families, even in spaces where our voices might not always be heard. Together, we are building a community, strengthening families, and showing that, with the right support, anything is possible.
Read about other conferences:
Send your story ideas to New Beginnings editor, Kylie, at [email protected]
Supporting Breastfeeding Families–Today, Tomorrow, Always
Please consider donating to La Leche League USA.
Your gift helps support this blog and the website!
Donations of any amount are gratefully accepted. Thank you!
Follow us on:
Facebook
Instagram
Category: Breastfeeding Conferences
Subscribe to Our Blog
Upcoming events:
no event