Alexis Jayde, a 28-year-old (at the time of recording) photographer and activist, shared their journey in reproductive justice and movement work at the Justice Now 2024 conference in Atlanta. Born in California, they moved to Dallas and then Atlanta, driven by a desire to immerse in black culture. Their political awakening came in 2020, leading them to focus on healing and safety work with BYP 100. Alexis Jayde emphasized the importance of inner work, community building, and addressing conflicts.

Candace, a reproductive justice activist from New Orleans, shared her journey at the Justice Now 2024 conference in Atlanta. She discussed her involvement in abortion doula work, gender justice, and trans justice, inspired by her own abortion experience. Candace emphasized the importance of community, mutual aid, and shared values in achieving reproductive liberation.

Starseed eva and political organizer (they/themme/baby girl) believes in a freer, greener future and is on a journey alongside their world-expanding friends to get there.. Much of their organizing in the city is concentrated within the Ashview Heights, Vine City, West End, Bush Mountain, and now Gresham Park neighborhoods where their abolitionist ideology comes to life by way of childcare collectives, neighborhood farmers markets, community gardens, and earth based projects.

Kelli Goode is a writer, interdisciplinary artist, and SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW’s Organizing Director. Kelli is a New Jersey native who moved to Atlanta to further her education and build community in QTPOC spaces. She found her passion for activism during her time navigating her undergraduate career at Georgia Gwinnett College where she battled with sexism, racism, misogynoir and transphobia.

Kal Jazeera, a 32-year-old (at the time of this recording) storyteller from Chicago, discussed their journey in reconnecting with their Palestinian heritage while navigating queer identity. They highlighted the challenges of building a queer SWANA (Southwest Asia and North Africa) community in Chicago and the impact of colonization on cultural identity. Kal emphasized the importance of storytelling and social-emotional learning in liberation movements.

Dr. Krystal Redman (KR), they/she Rooted in their political lineage of grassroots organizing and activism toward Black and Queer liberation and health freedom in the heart of Los Angeles, CA —  Dr. Redman centers their work in Health Liberation, Freedom, and Justice, with the priority of the liberation of folx who reside deep within the margins and in Reproductive Justice. Dr. Redman is a self-published author, and a speaker throughout sexual and reproductive justice, and health justice movement(s).

Salome Paul is a member of the Black Alliance for Peace. They are an organizer, researcher, and educator building with Africans across the Diaspora toward a liberated future where they have full control of their resources and lives.

Santiago, a 26-year-old organizer (at the time of the recording) originally from Chile, discussed his diverse activities, including labor organizing, Stop Cop City, mutual aid in Clarkston, Georgia, DJing, and writing (bad) poetry. He dedicated his interview to his grandmother with Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the importance of memory. Santiago highlighted the challenges of navigating cultural identities and the significance of mutual aid, particularly in Clarkston’s diverse immigrant community.

Taylor Kelly, a 27-year-old (at the time of recording) doula from Colorado Springs, now living in Tulsa, Oklahoma, shared her journey into maternal health and reproductive justice. She discussed her spiritual move to Tulsa, her doula training, and her experiences in maternal health, including working in labor and delivery and the NICU. Taylor emphasized the importance of centering birthing people and the need for gender-neutral and inclusive language in birth work.

Dr. Zoë Lucier-Julian (they/them) is a community-rooted clinician, scholar, teacher, and organizational leader in reproductive health and justice spaces in Atlanta, GA. Informed by reproductive justice and research justice praxis, Zoë’s work is focused on sexual, reproductive, and perinatal health equity through intergenerational and interdependent collaboration toward collective liberation. Ultimately, they hold themselves accountable to our communities – Black queer, trans, and folks who exist beyond the gender binary.