Family Planning Through a Racial Justice Lens

For many women of color, the topic of family planning can be a loaded subject that can bring up intergenerational trauma related to the historical mistreatment and misuse of various contraceptive methods. Centering groups provide a safe space and opportunity for patients to not only express their concerns/or questions, but also for providers to have open conversations around systemic racial inequities in family planning usage. We will provide scenarios to encourage providers to think through how they may acknowledge patients' questions/ concerns and give them the tools to approach family planning through a racial justice lens.

Weyu Hodge, MPH, CHI Implementation Advisor, brings over 10 years of experience working to improve racial and health disparities for communities across borders. She is a native New Yorker with a passion to empower communities of African descent by building local capacity and social justice advocacy. Her work across Africa, Asia, and Latin America involved coaching medical providers and local governments to improve access to medical care and address social inequities. Weyu’s life work reflects her passion for bringing conversations of racial disparities and inequities to the forefront while empowering black and brown communities.

Maritza Franqui, MPH, CD, CLC, CHI Implementation Advisor, has dedicated her public health career to the improvement of maternal and child health in Black and Brown communities. As a native of Brooklyn, NY, she provided volunteer doula services to adolescent girls, helping them navigate the healthcare system while providing them with the critical social-emotional support they needed to buffer the negative effects of toxic stress. She believes that the provision of equitable, holistic care and access to wellness education across the reproductive health and birthing continuum, in addition to systemic change, are fundamental to long-term, positive health outcomes for families of color. Maritza will be joining the UC, San Francisco’s newest cohort of nurse-midwife candidates this Summer.

We have found that these discussions are more engaging and productive when every participant joins in from a video capable computer or mobile device. If you don't have video capability on your computer, you can download the Zoom app on your phone and access video and audio options from your phone. You can also join in from your cell or tablet. Thank you!