Personal stories of healing and survivorship by four women on their Black Maternal Health journey

OAK BLUFFS, Mass. - Aug. 9, 2023 - PRLog -- A 20-minute clip from the documentary film, Listen to Me, (LTM), directed by Black maternal health experts Dr. Kanika Harris and Midwife Stephanie Etienne, will premiere at the Vineyard Lounge Clips & Conversation experience of the 21st Annual Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival on August 9th, 2023. Linda Wilson, the Executive Director of the Fund II Foundation, will host the event, which supports the organization's strategic imperatives around storytelling and Black Maternal Health.

Listen to Me, weaves the experiences of four women walking the tightrope of racism and maternal health in America. The film centers the grief, joy, healing, and spirit of Black women through the power of verité filmmaking to convey profoundly moving and intimate stories.

"So much of these conversations are focused on hopeless statistics about loss. This film not only sheds light on the challenges faced by Black women, but also emphasizes the potential for healing and transformation within the maternal health system," said Etienne and Harris.

Linda Wilson, Executive Director of the Fund II Foundation, expresses her excitement for the Clips & Conversation event, stating, "We at Fund II Foundation (F2F) selected Listen to Me to feature because, 1), the call to action is in the title. If family, friends, physicians, and the system at large did listen, we would witness more healthy births, and the mortality rate would decline. And 2), the film is simply beautiful. My wish is that first-person accounts will be heard and acted upon immediately and widely."

Following the screening of the film clip, the Conversation will feature a panel of esteemed speakers who will offer unique perspectives drawn from their own lived experiences. Panelists include cinematographer, Hans Charles, and Mia Keeys, former Chief of Staff and Health Policy Advisor to Congresswoman Robin L. Kelly, the Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust. Attendees will be invited to share their stories at a Listen to Me story booth that will include special guest, Bria Baptiste, the great-great-granddaughter of Henrietta Lacks.

Listen to Me commissioned a diverse team of Black creatives, including Oscar-nominated filmmaker, Bradford Young, renowned director, Nefertite Nguvu, and editor, Chassidy Jade.

The official release of Listen to Me is slated for Spring 2024.

For media inquiries and interviews with Dr. Kanika Harris and Stephanie Etienne, please contact: listentomedoc@gmail.com.