SisterLove, Inc Hosts International Partners on Human Rights, HIV Advocacy at Atlanta Headquarters

This summer was very busy for SisterLove in terms of visitors and important invitations.

In the presence of her Royal Highness Princess Astrid of Belgium, as a part of the Belgian Economic Mission to the United States, the business case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) was the topic of discussion for a few selected organizations and companies at the National Center For Civil And Human Rights.

Atlanta was chosen because it's known as the cradle of the American Civil Rights Movement.

In Belgium, an increased focus on the concept of DEI has been developing in recent years as it is clear that their legal framework to address and prevent discrimination and racism does not guarantee equity and inclusion. Additionally, Belgium companies are considering finding a home in the Southeast and are motivated by a desire for a more diverse workplace.

There is a strong business case for DEI in the business community and society at large therefore implementing good practices from other organizations was a principle reason for the event. HE David Clarinal, Belgian Minister in charge of Foreign Trade, Dr. Ilham Kadri, CEO and President of the ExecutiveCommittee of SoLvay, Geri Thomas, principal GPT Consultants Retired, Georgia Bank President & Chief Diversity Officer, Bank of America, and Pieter Timmermans, CEO of the Federation of Enterprises in Belgium were some of the featured speakers. Sybil Miller represented SisterLove.

SisterLove Hosting guests of the US State Department International Visitor Leadership Program

SisterLove's Sybil Miller, Director of Comms, Tamika English, Source Leadership Manager, Tamika English and Will Settle, Community Intelligence Advisor hosted and addressed a delegation at the MotherHouse sent by the U.S. Department of States International Visitor Leadership Program.

The participants, primarily from Latin America whose occupations ranged from Advisors to Ministers of Health, Epidemiologists, Professors, Physicians, Nurses and Community Health Organizers, were sponsored by the American Council for International Education.

They toured the United States with a stop in Atlanta. SisterLove was among those stops during their visit. The topic of the visit was Combating Infectious Diseases. The discussion was robust, engaging, and enjoyable for all in attendance. Translators were present to help with the dialogue.

Guests of the American Council for International Education at SisterLove MotherHouse

One week before the SCOTUS decision reversing Roe V. Wade In Our Own Voice, led by founder and CEO Marcela Howell, hosted the National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda at the Black Reproductive Justice Retreat.

In Our Own Voice's Black Reproductive Justice Retreat

The purpose was a collaborative convening, new alignment, and new strategies to combat what we knew was coming. Held at the Intercontinental Hotel in DC at the Wharf, the agenda included the very impressive panel of Alexis McGill Johnson, CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation, Fatima Goss Graves, CEO National Women's Law Center, and Deon Haywood, Executive Director, Women With a Vision.

Their powerful panel discussion was entitled "A New Phase of Reproductive Justice Works Begins: Coming changes and new impacts for the Black RJ field.

Other topics included Abortion Access Analysis, Perils of Criminianlization: economic devestation, mental health impacts and loss of voting rights.

Other distinguished speakers for the Summit were Michelle Goodwin, author, Policing the Womb and Director for the Center for Biotechnology & Global Health, U of C, Irvine, School of Law and Khiara Bridges, Professor of Law, UC Berkeley School of Law. Dr. Toni Bond, one of the original 12 Black women who coined the phrase "reproductive justice" was also in attendance.

All of the Black women-led RJ orgs in the country were in represented in attendance and celebrated the true sisterhood that was experienced and most certainly needed at a time when safe abortion care is at risk nationwide for Black women.

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