Community Invited to Aftershock Movie Screening: “A disproportionate number of Black women are failed every year by the U.S. maternal health system”

Cafe Sankofa and Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center, in Syracuse’s Southside neighborhood, is inviting members of the community to a movie screening event for all community members.

“Following the preventable deaths of their loved ones due to childbirth complications, two families galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing American crises of our time – the US maternal health crisis.” The event will be from 3:00 pm to 6:30 pm Saturday, October 29th at 2323 South Salina Street. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, masks will be required and we are strongly encouraging testing in advance due to the local rise in COVID cases. There will be light refreshments and brief Q&A following the movie.

This is a community event and all are welcome to attend. “It’s important for our community to know that we are and have been in a CRISIS when it comes to protecting the lives, health, birthing rights of Black women, women of color, and people who identify as trans or non-binary. The systems in place are failing us, yet that’s exactly what they have been designed to do. It’s up to us to create safe spaces to inform, educate and take action toward building more equitable health outcomes. My hope is that people in positions of power and influence as well as community members will attend this event with an open mind and an open heart so that we can come together and build better solutions; solutions that are trauma informed, culturally competent and that uplift the stories of those who are impacted the most.” said Arlaina Harris, Board President of Cafe Sankofa.

“Although Aftershock follows families based in NYC, it is important for attendees to understand that Black families are experiencing the same obstacles here in Syracuse, NY while seeking maternal health care. I hope the film and discussion will serve as an awakening for local health care providers, hospital administrators, and community leaders. May everyone walk away from this event inspired to invest time, energy, and money into Black women led community-based solutions. Black women deserve to live full and healthy lives and I’m dedicated to creating that reality for my hometown.” – SeQuoia Kemp, Founder of Doula 4 a Queen, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Sankofa Reproductive Health and Healing Center.

“To improve outcomes, we must begin to incorporate human rights and reproductive justice frameworks that not only place value on the lived experiences of pregnant people but center community-led responses to the death and illness in birth. Aftershock is an opportunity for everyone in Central New York to take action to create safe, respectful, and dignified environments for families as they transition to parenthood.” – Asteir Bey, Co-Director Village Birth International, Co-Founder & Board Chair/Community Education & Policy Advisor of Sankofa Reproductive Health & Healing Center Through many hardships that have been ongoing through these past years, we would like to dedicate this movie screening to our Doula sister, community member, and loved one Tanaya G. Thomas-Edwards.

Those interested in attending can register at the following link: Register Here

We would like to give thanks to our co-sponsors: Cafe Sankofa, NaturaLee Fit & Doula Services, Victorious Moms, My Children’s Vessel Doula Services, Village Birth international, and Doula 4 a Queen.