Issue #42: black. brillance. leadership.
black MKE women-owned businesses, the immortal life of Henrietta Lacks, menstrual + maternal health, motherhood + entrepreneurship, and our next film screening in partnership with Honeybee Sage.
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“I will no longer act on the outside in a way that contradicts the truth that I hold deeply inside. I will no longer act as if I were less than the whole person I know myself inwardly to be.”
~ Rosa Parks
Black History Month is a time of reflection, recognition, and celebration—especially of the Black women whose brilliance, labor, and leadership have shaped our communities in ways both seen and unseen. Too often, their contributions to healthcare, activism, science, and the arts have been overlooked or undervalued, despite their profound impact.
This month, we’re honoring the Black women in our community who are creating change, advocating for equity, and sharing their wisdom. Whether through entrepreneurship, caregiving, healing practices, or creative expression, their work enriches all of us.
At the same time, we must acknowledge the health disparities Black women continue to face. They experience higher rates of maternal mortality, fibroids, and certain cancers—often with delayed diagnoses and inadequate treatment. Their perimenopausal and menopausal experiences are also frequently dismissed or under-researched, leaving many to navigate this transition without the support they deserve. These disparities are not just statistics; they reflect deep systemic inequities in healthcare that demand attention and change.
While February is a dedicated time to honor and recognize Black women, our commitment to uplifting their voices and contributions extends far beyond this month. We remain dedicated to amplifying the work, stories, and achievements of the incredible women in our community—this month and every month.
Who are the Black women in your life or community who inspire you? Let’s make space for their stories.
upcoming FILM SCREENING!
We are thrilled to partner with the beautiful Angela Mallett of HoneyBee Sage Wellness for our next film screening: ME: Period. This powerful documentary dives into the stigma, inequities, and systemic challenges surrounding menstruation, exploring how culture, healthcare, and economics shape our understanding of periods. Through personal stories and expert insights, the film sheds light on the barriers many face in accessing menstrual care and education. Angela’s deep commitment to holistic wellness and community healing makes her the perfect collaborator for this event, as we continue to foster conversations around menstrual health and equity. Stay tuned for more details!
ICYM these women on the PODCAST…
Genyne + Dominique
In this episode, friends, business partners (P3 Development), and chosen sisters Genyne and Dominique share their origin story, talk about owning our wisdom and power to empower the women coming up behind us, and appreciating our connections.
Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas
We talk with Dr. Arianna Sholes-Douglas, an integrative healthcare practitioner, women's health visionary, and perimenopause/menopause expert. Dr. Arianna is also the author of The Menopause Myth: What Your Mother, Doctor, and Friends Haven't Told You About Life After 35.
Natasha + Rosemary
Cousins Natasha and Rosemary have a heart to heart about the importance of family, navigating perimenopause, experience with uterine fibroids, motherhood, self-care, and self identity. Join them as they reflect on their special relationship with their Grandma, when they connected and solidified their relationship as young adults, and their parallel yet differing experiences with fibroids.
Ashley + Chloe + Shiquita
Three friends–Ashley, Chloe, and Shiquita (see more about them in today’s Five Senses Friday) talk about their love languages, middle life friendships, women supporting women in BIPOC businesses, exposing kids to unlimited life possibilities, finding their own parenting styles, raising black girls, being whole, relationship expectations, travel as a form of self care, and so much more.
Dr. Monique Gary
This episode features one of our Breast.Health WOVXN Wellness Guide contributors, Dr. Monique Gary, DO, MSc, FACS. "Dr. Mo" is a breast surgeon, educator, and advocate for wellness. She currently serves as the Medical Director of the Grand View Health cancer program and is the CEO of Still Rise Farms, a 40-acre farm that was founded as a living, learning laboratory for people facing cancer and chronic illness.
Genyne + Dr. Mia Cowan
Interwovxn board member Genyne Edwards talks to her good friend Dr. Mia Cowan, an expert in women’s health and intimacy, about the incidence of larger fibroids in African American women, knowing your family history, changing libidos as we age, and how to approach supporting our bodies through middle life. They talk about holding yourself at a higher level of importance and being an ambassador for younger generations of women.
For this week’s 5 Senses Friday, we’re celebrating a few of the incredible Black women-owned businesses in Milwaukee whose work we’ve admired, connected with, and followed since the start of INTERWOVXN. From the makers crafting with intention to the healers and visionaries building community, these women inspire us with their creativity, dedication, and impact.
TASTE: HoneyBee Sage Wellness & Apothecary is a global and community-focused wellness shop and cafe offering herbs, medicinal herbal teas and tea-focused beverages in the most beautiful space. Boujee Cup of Joe (created and curated by Season 4 guest Ashley) offers pop up coffee experiences in the community pouring into the souls of the people. Twisted Plants (image above) is 100% plant-based and vegan restaurant serving a variety of delicious eats, including burgers and sandwiches, with locations in Cudahy, West Allis, and Milwaukee. Soul Brew Kombucha is Wisconsin's first Black woman-owned premium kombucha tea company offering raw, organic, and diabetic-friendly beverages aimed at promoting better health and creating a culture for better health- available at Outpost and Beans and Barley. Bethany of BethMayhem is a local baker who offers delicious sweets with vegan and dairy-free options.
SEE: Chase My Creations (image above), created by Season 4 guest Chloe is a brand that merges art, activism, and fashion to inspire social change. Their mission-driven apparel and accessories feature bold messages on justice, empowerment, and identity, sparking conversation and community action. Rooted MKE is a BIPOC children's bookstore and makerspace in Milwaukee, dedicated to promoting literacy and creativity through curated books, tutoring, and hands-on workshops. Lolly Lolly Ceramics, by Lalese Stamps, gained attention with her "100 mugs in 100 days" project, which sparked her popular minimalist mug collection. She has since expanded her creative vision with a new furnishings line with Lulu and Georgia that reflects her signature organic designs. Dasha Kelly Hamilton is a renowned author, performance artist, and cultural organizer whose work focuses on social wellness and equity. Her current nationally touring show and film, Makin' Cake, uses the history and ingredients of cake to explore themes of race, class, and equity in America, fostering community conversations through engaging storytelling and interactive performances. The Black Lens project by the Milwaukee Film Festival showcases and amplifies Black filmmakers, providing a platform for their stories while fostering dialogue about the Black experience through cinema.
SMELL: Blossom Candle Co. is a brand founded by Shiquita (Season 4 guest), offering handcrafted soy candles, wax melts, and self-care products designed to promote mindfulness and intentional living. Their eco-friendly products feature unique scents and are crafted with high-quality, non-toxic materials to support the mind, body, home, and spirit. 414LORAL (image above and below) is a flower shop in Milwaukee offering unique, garden-inspired designs featuring seasonal ingredients and textures. They offer workshops, provide same-day delivery and host a "Build Your Own Bouquet" bar every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm, allowing customers to create personalized floral arrangements.
HEAR: HYFIN is Milwaukee's Urban Alternative radio station and a dynamic digital-first platform that celebrates Black culture by offering a diverse range of music beyond traditional R&B and Hip-Hop, including dance, Afrobeats, and more. The station amplifies underrepresented artists, connects listeners to the latest Black culture news, podcasts, and fosters creativity while championing Black excellence in music, business, and entrepreneurship. Element Everest-Blanks (image above) is a seasoned artist and media professional from Milwaukee, best known as a member of the hip-hop group Black Elephant. Beyond her musical endeavors, she has a diverse career, including voiceover work for national campaigns and crafting songs for NBA and NFL teams. At HYFIN, she serves as a music director, on-air host, and brand ambassador, hosting the show "Mic Drop Moments," where she delves into the lives of musicians and cultural innovators. SistaStrings is a sister duo known for their fusion of classical, soul, and folk music, using violin and cello to create powerful, emotive performances. Their music blends genres and themes of social justice, love, and empowerment, resonating deeply with diverse audiences.
TOUCH: A Brush Box (image above) offers creative kits designed to make art accessible for everyone, with a focus on art therapy and mindfulness. In addition to their kits, the brand hosts events that encourage creativity and provide a space for healing through art, making the experience of self-expression and relaxation available to all. Alice's Garden Urban Farm is a 2.2-acre community farm in Milwaukee that promotes regenerative farming, cultural development, and agricultural enterprises. Led by Executive Director Venice Williams, who describes herself as a cultural and spiritual midwife, the farm offers 102 community rental plots, production fields, an herbal apprenticeship program, and features the Labyrinth Walk, a peaceful space for reflection and connection with nature.
What is appealing to your senses right now? What are you reading? watching? cooking? wearing? loving? obsessed with? We would love to share some of your picks in future newsletters!
the immortal life of HEnrietta LAcks
Just finished reading The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot. The book tells the powerful true story of Henrietta Lacks, a Black woman whose cells—taken without her knowledge in 1951—became one of the most significant tools in medical research. Known as HeLa cells, they were the first human cells to reproduce indefinitely outside the body, leading to breakthroughs in vaccines, cancer treatments, and gene mapping. Yet, while her cells transformed modern medicine, Henrietta herself remained largely unknown for decades. Her family, struggling with poverty and a lack of healthcare, was never informed or compensated for the role HeLa cells played in medical history. The book weaves together Henrietta’s life, the scientific impact of her cells, and the ethical debates surrounding medical consent, race, and exploitation.
The story of Henrietta Lacks is inseparable from the broader history of Black women in healthcare. Her experience reflects the long-standing medical mistreatment of Black bodies—from forced experimentation during slavery to racial health disparities today. Henrietta’s story forces us to confront the legacy of medical racism and the ethical failures that continue to shape healthcare access for Black women. To talk about the history of medicine without acknowledging Henrietta Lacks is to ignore the very foundation upon which so much of modern science stands. Her life and legacy demand that we recognize both the contributions and the injustices faced by Black women in the medical system, ensuring that history is told with honesty and accountability.
the reality of BLACK WOMEN + BIRTH
Black women face maternal mortality rates nearly three times higher than those of white women (five times higher in Wisconsin). Black women are also more likely to experience pregnancy-related complications like preeclampsia, hemorrhage, and preterm birth, yet their concerns are often dismissed or undertreated by medical professionals. These disparities stem from systemic racism in healthcare, implicit bias among providers, and social determinants such as inadequate access to quality prenatal care, economic instability, and environmental stressors, with racism—not just socioeconomic status—being a critical factor in maternal health outcomes, even for high-income and highly educated Black women.
To combat these disparities, Black maternal health advocates emphasize the importance of culturally competent care, midwifery, and doula support. Community-led initiatives, such as the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and local birth justice organizations, work to empower Black women through education, policy change, and improved access to respectful, patient-centered care. Research shows that integrating midwives and doulas into maternity care can improve outcomes by providing emotional support, advocacy, and interventions that reduce unnecessary medical procedures. Addressing Black maternal health requires systemic changes, including better training for healthcare providers, expanding Medicaid coverage for postpartum care, and dismantling structural inequities that put Black women at risk during pregnancy and childbirth. Learn more and check out this weekend’s event from the Black Birth Collection.
And we leave you with…
Poem in Praise of Menstruation
by Lucille Clifton
if there is a river
more beautiful than this
bright as the blood
red edge of the moon if…
Demeter’s Prayer to Hades
by Rita Dove
This alone is what I wish for you: knowledge.
To understand each desire has an edge,
to know we are responsible for the lives
we change. No faith comes without cost,
no one believes without dying.
Now for the first time
I see clearly the trail you planted,
what ground opened to waste, though you dreamed a wealth
of flowers…
A Woman Speaks
by Audre Lorde
Moon marked and touched by sun
my magic is unwritten
but when the sea turns back
it will leave my shape behind.
I seek no favor
untouched by blood
unrelenting as the curse of love
permanent as my errors
or my pride
I do not mix
love with pity
nor hate with scorn
and if you would know me
look into the entrails of Uranus
where the restless oceans pound…
Have a great weekend!
