2016 Congressional Caucus on Black Women & Girls Symposium
“Defining the Black Female Experience”
Friday, August 26, 2016
Friday, August 26, 2016
Panel Discussions
Black Women as Global Economic Force
Black women are a commanding force in the U.S. economy, with an estimated purchasing power of nearly $5 trillion. According to several studied, Black females are far more influential than the general female population in consumer transactions. And according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, African-American women are among the fastest growing entrepreneurial segments in the country, and are three to five times more likely to start a business than their white counterparts. Yet despite their immense buying power, too many Black women are routinely ignored in marketing campaigns. And despite their strong entrepreneurial spirit, Black women struggle mightily with obtaining sufficient financial and social capital resources. This panel will address the challenges of Black female in maximizing their full economic power.
Moderator: Melody Spann Cooper – Chairman, Midway Broadcasting Corporation; President, WVON 1690 AM
• Shari Runner – President, Chicago Urban League
• Merry Green – Founder & CEO, Chicago Black Women’s Expo
• Sandra Finley – President, League of Black Women
Combatting Health Discrimination Against Black Women
Women of color, regardless of class, are disproportionately affected by major health crises affecting American women. Yet when it comes to women’s health and rights, Black women are frequently left out of the conversation. African-American women are less likely to receive health care, and when they do receive it, they are more likely to get it late. As such, problems like breast and cervical cancers are not found early, when they are most treatable.
This panel will unpack the numerous disparities faced by Black women, and talk about ways that women can take charge of their personal health and seek the health care they need.
Moderator: Dr. Cheryl Whitaker, MD – CEO, NextLevel Health
• Dr. Nicole Williams, MD, FACOG – Founder, The Gynecology Institute of Chicago
• Dr. Kameron Matthews, MD – Medical Director, Mile Square Health Center (Univ. of Illinois)
• Donna Thompson, R.N., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Access Community Health Center
• Dr. Sheri Prentiss, MD - CMO & Chief Scientific Officer, Surgical and Aesthetics Supplies
• Dr. Nicole Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH - Ellen H. Block Professor, University of Chicago; Vice Provost, Academic Leadership, Advancement, and Diversity
Counteracting the Stereotypical Depictions of Black Women in the Media
Despite the rise of strong, intelligent, upwardly mobile Black women in television and movies, the old stereotypes still remain strong. From “angry” Black women to baby mamas, younger Black women and girls are far more likely to see negative typologies, due to their greater media consumption than past generations. Paradoxically, Black audiences are the greater viewers of many of the shows that reinforce negative stereotypes. Yet their viewing support does not negate the adverse emotions that come from it. This panel features Chicago women who have worked diligently to neutralize the negative depictions of Black women and instill positive values and self-worth in young women as they transition into adulthood.
Moderator: Sherida Morrison – Founder & CEO, Demoiselle to Femme
• Sheri Crawley - Founder and CEO, Pretty Black Girl
• La’Keisha Gray-Sewell – Founder and Executive Director, Girls Like Me
• Kelly Fair –Founder and Executive Director, Polished Pebbles
• Darlene Hill – Reporter, Fox 32 News (invited)
Black Women as Global Economic Force
Black women are a commanding force in the U.S. economy, with an estimated purchasing power of nearly $5 trillion. According to several studied, Black females are far more influential than the general female population in consumer transactions. And according to the Center for Women’s Business Research, African-American women are among the fastest growing entrepreneurial segments in the country, and are three to five times more likely to start a business than their white counterparts. Yet despite their immense buying power, too many Black women are routinely ignored in marketing campaigns. And despite their strong entrepreneurial spirit, Black women struggle mightily with obtaining sufficient financial and social capital resources. This panel will address the challenges of Black female in maximizing their full economic power.
Moderator: Melody Spann Cooper – Chairman, Midway Broadcasting Corporation; President, WVON 1690 AM
• Shari Runner – President, Chicago Urban League
• Merry Green – Founder & CEO, Chicago Black Women’s Expo
• Sandra Finley – President, League of Black Women
Combatting Health Discrimination Against Black Women
Women of color, regardless of class, are disproportionately affected by major health crises affecting American women. Yet when it comes to women’s health and rights, Black women are frequently left out of the conversation. African-American women are less likely to receive health care, and when they do receive it, they are more likely to get it late. As such, problems like breast and cervical cancers are not found early, when they are most treatable.
This panel will unpack the numerous disparities faced by Black women, and talk about ways that women can take charge of their personal health and seek the health care they need.
Moderator: Dr. Cheryl Whitaker, MD – CEO, NextLevel Health
• Dr. Nicole Williams, MD, FACOG – Founder, The Gynecology Institute of Chicago
• Dr. Kameron Matthews, MD – Medical Director, Mile Square Health Center (Univ. of Illinois)
• Donna Thompson, R.N., M.S., Chief Executive Officer, Access Community Health Center
• Dr. Sheri Prentiss, MD - CMO & Chief Scientific Officer, Surgical and Aesthetics Supplies
• Dr. Nicole Melissa Gilliam, MD, MPH - Ellen H. Block Professor, University of Chicago; Vice Provost, Academic Leadership, Advancement, and Diversity
Counteracting the Stereotypical Depictions of Black Women in the Media
Despite the rise of strong, intelligent, upwardly mobile Black women in television and movies, the old stereotypes still remain strong. From “angry” Black women to baby mamas, younger Black women and girls are far more likely to see negative typologies, due to their greater media consumption than past generations. Paradoxically, Black audiences are the greater viewers of many of the shows that reinforce negative stereotypes. Yet their viewing support does not negate the adverse emotions that come from it. This panel features Chicago women who have worked diligently to neutralize the negative depictions of Black women and instill positive values and self-worth in young women as they transition into adulthood.
Moderator: Sherida Morrison – Founder & CEO, Demoiselle to Femme
• Sheri Crawley - Founder and CEO, Pretty Black Girl
• La’Keisha Gray-Sewell – Founder and Executive Director, Girls Like Me
• Kelly Fair –Founder and Executive Director, Polished Pebbles
• Darlene Hill – Reporter, Fox 32 News (invited)