For many years I was fortunate to be a part of the Healthy Neighborhoods Committee of the Healthy Cleveland initiative of the Cleveland Department of Public Health. I have never been part of a more productive committee and with community members so deeply committed to improving the lives of Cleveland residents by addressing structural racism.
I have never been part of a more productive committee and with community members so deeply committed to improving the lives of Cleveland residents by addressing structural racism.
One of the topics we set out to address was infant and maternal mortality among Black families. With the support of First Year Cleveland, we produced the short film Toxic: A Woman’s Story. Throughout the production of the film, the Healthy Cleveland Committee and the Pregnancy and Infant Loss Initiative (PAIL) of First Year Cleveland prioritized centering racial equity and the experiences of Black woman who had experienced infant loss. Here are a few of the ways we did with this:
- Conducted several focus groups with Black woman who had experienced infant loss to guide the script development. Interviews were conducted by a Licensed Social Worker who had experiencing working with woman who experienced infant loss and parents of PAIL.
- Created a discussion guide to accompany the film that provided working definitions related to structural racism, statistics on racial disparities and infant loss, discussion prompts, a call to action and resources.
- When developing the film and discussion guide, consulted with
- Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew an international diversity, inclusion and equity expert, maternal/infant health care equity advocate, global healthcare strategist, OB/Gyn, professor
- Dr. Arthur R. James an Obstetrician, Gynecologist, and Pediatrician who has been involved in the care of underserved populations for the entirety of his medical career.
- Debra Adams Simmons the Vice President of Diversity Equity and Inclusion at National Geographic
- Hired a Black director and crew and paid equitable wages for all talent involved in the film
- Made the film available for purchase to use as an educational tool and all proceeds support resources for women in Cuyahoga County who experience miscarriage, stillbirth or loss of a child before their first year.
Anniversary screening is September 25, 5:00 at Severance Music Center
We are now celebrating the five-year anniversary of the film’s release with a screening and discussion on September 25th at Severance Music Center at 5:00. The event is free, get your tickets here.
