Speak! Move! Change!
FOR BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK
April 15 - 16, 2024
Join Us for Speak! Move! Change! 2024
An Ancestral Hearing for Truth & Reconciliation
We invite you to join us for this year’s Speak! Move! Change virtual series in honor of Black Maternal Health Week. Speak, Move, Change consists of a collective of stakeholders from across the nation and abroad who are committed to transforming the current state of affairs in the reproductive healthcare system for black women, birthing people, their families and communities. The collective utilizes art, ritual, information, education and collective discourse to speak truth, move systems and change outcomes.
This year we will be hosting a two day virtual event on Monday, April 15th and Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm EST, where we will present a virtual dramatization of a “community hearing” to address the inhumane treatment that enslaved black women endured at the hands of J Marion Sims and his colleagues during the antebellum period. The hearing will be facilitated using an indigenous centered practice called Mbongi, originating from the Bakongo Bantu people of Africa that embodies the essence of community, collaboration, interconnectedness and shared learning where all are welcome to participate without barriers or separation.
Using creative license and ancestral authority, the collective will bring the voices of the past, present and future together for the purpose of truth, reconciliation and retribution. We do this in honor of “The Mothers of Gynecology”, Betsey, Anarcha & Lucy, and all of the women and girls, known and unknown, who were subjected to medical procedures, experimentation, sexual assault and obstetrical violence. Guided by the principles of Mbongi and Afrofuturism, the Speak, Move, Change collective will call on the power of community, create a bold space for transparency, powerful storytelling and collective problem-solving. Through this transformative convening the collective seeks to restore dignity and agency to those who have been silenced by history and the false narratives perpetuated by White Supremacy.
Through an Afrofuturistic lens, will gather virtually for a two-day convening on Monday, April 15, 2024, and Tuesday, April 16, 2024, in the format of “hearing” to address the profound injustice rooted in the medical history of the United States: the exploitation inflicted by J Marion Sims that was endured by enslaved Black women Betsey, Anarcha and Lucy and countless others whose names we do not know.
What is Mbongi?
Mbongi is an Indigenous African concept originating from the Bakongo Bantu people, embodying the essence of community, collaboration, and shared learning. At its core, Mbongi represents a "house without rooms/walls," symbolizing a space of inclusivity and interconnectedness where all are welcome to participate without barriers or separation. It serves as a communal gathering place where individuals come together to address issues, solve problems, and exchange knowledge.Within the Mbongi framework, transparency and authenticity are paramount. Participants are encouraged to engage in open dialogue, sharing their perspectives, experiences, and insights without fear of judgment or reprisal. Conflict, far from being avoided, is seen as an opportunity for growth and resolution, challenging the status quo and fostering transformative change.
Mbongi operates on the principle that collective wisdom and collaboration are essential for addressing community challenges and nurturing innovation. Through its inclusive and participatory approach, Mbongi offers a powerful framework for fostering community resilience, empowerment, and holistic well-being.
By drawing upon the diverse talents, perspectives, and experiences of its members, Mbongi facilitates holistic problem-solving and decision-making processes that honor the voices and contributions of all participants.
Furthermore, Mbongi recognizes the interconnectedness of humanity with nature, ancestors, and the cosmos. It acknowledges the importance of ancestral wisdom and cultural heritage in guiding community endeavors and seeks to cultivate harmony and balance within the collective consciousness.
In essence, Mbongi embodies the spirit of Ubuntu—"I am because we are"—and emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of all beings. Through its inclusive and participatory approach, Mbongi offers a powerful framework for fostering community resilience, empowerment, and holistic well-being.
We invite you to join us for this powerful virtual hearing, not merely as observers, but as witnesses, participants and contributors to a transformative journey of truth, reconciliation and retribution.
