Ariah Foundation

SUPPORT FOR BIPOC IMPACTED BY SYSTEMIC RACISM/OPPRESSION IN THE REPRODUCTIVE HEALTHCARE SYSTEM.

SPEAK! MOVE! CHANGE! - SPEAK! MOVE! CHANGE! IS A VIRTUAL SERIES THAT IS OFFERED ANNUALLY TO PARTICIPANTS THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES AND ABROAD, CO-HOSTED AND CO-PRODUCED BY THREE BIPOC AND/OR WOMEN-LED ORGANIZATIONS, COMMITTED TO REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE, BIRTH EQUITY AND THE AMELIORATION OF BLACK MATERNAL/INFANT MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY IN THE US AND ABROAD; DR. SHALON'S MATERNAL ACTION PROJECT (DR. SHALON'S MAP), THE TATIA ODEN FRENCH MEMORIAL FOUNDATION AND THE ARIAH FOUNDATION. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)THE SMC SERIES INVITES THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WITH LIVED EXPERIENCE, REPRODUCTIVE ACTIVISTS, ADVOCATES, ACADEMICS, MIDWIVES, DOULAS ETC., TO GATHER IN VIRTUAL SPACE TO LEARN, GROW, HEAL AND ACT IN RESPONSE TO THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS. THE VIRTUAL SERIES INCLUDES CEREMONY, RITUAL, VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS, COMMUNITY DIALOGUE, PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND A CALL TO ACTION.NATIONAL POSTPARTUM AWARENESS WEEK - THE NATIONAL POSTPARTUM AWARENESS WEEK (PAW) CAMPAIGN IS A NATION WIDE CONVENING THAT IS BEING HOSTED BY THE ARIAH FOUNDATION, DR. SHALON'S MAP & THE TATIA ODEN FRENCH FOUNDATION, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH STAKEHOLDERS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. THE VISION FOR PAW IS TO RESTORE LIGHT, LIFE AND DIGNITY TO THE BIRTHING AND POSTPARTUM EXPERIENCES OF BIPOC. THE THREE ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING, CO-LEADING AND CO-CREATING THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN THAT WILL TAKE PLACE FROM SUNDAY, MAY 7, 2023 TO SATURDAY MAY 13, 2023. THE COLLECTIVE MEMBERS REPRESENT 20 STATES FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ARE COMMITTED TO AMPLIFYING THE NEEDS AND THE VOICES OF BIPOC FOLX SO THAT "BIRTHING WHILE BLACK" IN THE US WILL NO LONGER BE A DEATH SENTENCE. THE GOAL OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO INVITE INDIVIDUALS, GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND ABROAD TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES THAT WILL PROMOTE EDUCATION, DIALOGUE, INNOVATIONS AND INTERVENTIONS TO IMPROVE POSTPARTUM BIRTHING OUTCOMES FOR BIPOC COMMUNITIES.THE MOTHER WIT CONFERENCE - THE MOTHER WIT CONFERENCE PROMOTES THE FREE EXCHANGE OF STORIES AND IDEAS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, PERFORMANCE ART AND PRESENTATIONS BY THE MOST BRILLIANT ACADEMICS, HEALERS, AND PRACTITIONERS IN THE REPRODUCTIVE, PSYCHOLOGICAL, AND HOLISTIC HEALTH FIELDS.THE MOTHER WIT CONFERENCE SEEKS TO OFFER AN INCLUSIVE, SAFE, AND ENGAGING SPACE FOR MEN AND WOMEN OF ALL AGES, TO EXAMINE AND GIVE VOICE TO THE REPRODUCTIVE EXPERIENCES THAT ARE OFTEN LEFT UNSPOKEN AND UNADDRESSED. THESE EXPERIENCES INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO, INFERTILITY, MISCARRIAGE, PREMATURE BIRTH, ABORTION, AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION/PSYCHOSIS. THE CONFERENCE EXAMINES HOW THEY AFFECT THE INDIVIDUALS MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY, AND EMOTIONALLY. THE CONFERENCE CULMINATES WITH OUR AUDIENCE MEMBERS' STORIES BEING BROUGHT TO LIFE ON STAGE USING A POWERFUL IMPROVISATIONAL THEATER FORM CALLED "PLAYBACK THEATER"CONFERENCE ATTENDEES WILL BE INVITED TO CO-OPERATIVELY, COMPASSIONATELY AND COLLECTIVELY SHARE AND EXPLORE HOW WOMEN AND MEN NAVIGATE THE MENTAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL IMPACT OF INFERTILITY, PREGNANCY, INFANT LOSS AND POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION/PSYCHOSIS.