Reproductive advocates, community members to come together in Birmingham for a night of artivism, discussions around abortion, reproductive justice

Reproductive rights advocates and community members will gather in Birmingham on March 25 for an event that brings together art and the fight for reproductive justice.

 

The ReFrame is a pop-up artivism event under It’s My Body. Period., an Alabama Values’ initiative in collaboration with reproductive rights partners across Alabama.

“Art has played an increasingly important role in amplifying the voices of marginalized communities,” said Anneshia Hardy, executive director of Alabama Values. “Art has the power to evoke emotions, provoke thought, and inspire action, making it an effective tool for sparking conversations that can move us towards transformative change. As we continue to grapple with pressing social issues, it is clear that art will continue to be a powerful tool for raising awareness and inspiring the next generation of change agents.”

It’s My Body. Period is a content-heavy educational series and outreach centering around the reproductive fight with the goal of closing the knowledge gap around reproductive justice. AV and its partners hope to tear down the frames of misinformation that wreak havoc on the movement to fight for reproductive rights.

 

AV teamed up with Yellowhammer Fund, URGE, Project Say Something, PowerHouse, The Knights and Orchids Society , Planned Parenthood Southeast  Human Rights Campaign, and 21 Dreams.

 

The ReFrame will feature thought-provoking art created by local artists around reproductive health care and abortion, as well as a panel discussion featuring activists and artists.

 

“The Reframe is to look at the way we see reproductive justice in the South and abortion rights. We are doing this event in a way that really brings in artistry and looking at the way we can use art as a caveat for justice in the South,” said Jenice Fountain, executive director of Yellowhammer Fund.

 

The event will also feature an art talk led by 21 Dreams’ Executive Director Kalonji Gilchrist and a panel discussion.

 

“I fell in love with storytelling at a young age. Always been enamored with music and visuals to music, but also how stories are being told through a black lens,” Gilchrist said. “I realized that art is an entry point into communities. I understood the impact and how these stories and connecting to people really move people to make changes or persuade or entertain them.”

 

The panel discussion topics will include:

• Shifts in reproductive rights work post-Roe, with Jenice Fountain, executive director of Yellowhammer Fund.

• Abortion and the Trans Community, with Jennine Bell, TKO Society and Carmarion D. Anderson Harvey, Human Rights Campaign

• The Role Youth Activism Plays in Reproductive Rights, with Shante Wolfe, URGE

• Reproductive health care policy in an ultra-conservative state, with Stephen Stetson, Planned Parenthood Southeast and Mia Raven, P.O.W.E.R. House

 

“I’m super excited to use art as a way to promote the idea of reproductive health and reproductive justice,” said Stephen Stetson, Alabama State Director of Planned Parenthood Southeast. “ A lot of people get moved in their heart by art.”

 

“I’m very excited to be a part of this initiative bringing artivism into reproductive rights,” said Jennine Bell, co-founder of TKO Society. “Artvisim has definitely been an important piece in our work, and telling stories and making sure that folks understand why we need resources and where our community wants to show up for themselves. I think this is going to be a great opportunity to showcase reproductive rights. I think for me it is a very exciting experience to witness some work outside the abortion ban.”

 

The event will be held from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. at Asthetik Bham, located at 212 24th St N, Birmingham, AL 35203. Must RSVP to attend. Space is limited. To sign up for the event visit, tinyurl.com/reframersvp.