2020 Agenda

Visit the FFBWW-BWWDAY Virtual Booth for Swag, Raffle Prize Entry & More!

Visit Our Virtual Photo Booth to snap your selfies!
Visit Vendors & Exhibitors to shop & explore (Marketplace open throughout day)

Welcome Message by Founding CEO & President Lisa Peyton-Caire

Sponsors Remarks & Special Greetings Governor Tony Evers and Nyra Jordan, American Family Institute for Corporate & Social Impact

Welcome Remarks by U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore

Spoken Word Performance by K Love the Poet

Join our opening Expert Panel Session session with three national powerhouses in Black women’s health to get a current, comprehensive, and urgent national view of the status of Black women’s health and well-being in the United States. This session will provide insight on how we carve a thriving path forward despite the challenges we face. Among key issues we will address are physical, mental and reproductive/maternal health, the triple pandemic of racism, police violence and COVID-19, social and economic justice, and voting rights. Do not miss! This is our CALL TO ACTION!

Linda Goler Blount, CEO & President, Black Women’s Health Imperative

Loretta Ross, Co-Founder, SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective

Sonya Young Aadam, California Black Women’s Health Project

Moderated by Lisa Peyton-Caire, CEO & President, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

The one & only DJ ACE, aka our community’s history-making YWCA of Dane County CEO Vanessa Rae McDowell will be spinning the turntables on Friday, Sept. 18th between sessions to keep us moving on that natural high! Tune in between keynotes and panels to get your groove on!

Join this fast-paced expert morning panel session for a current and urgent view of the status of Black women’s health and well-being in the Midwest (Wisconsin), and to provide insight on how we carve a thriving path forward to true health, birth and social equity in Wisconsin where we lead the nation in racial health, wealth and birth disparities, and rank #1 for Black infant mortality. Following on the heels of our opening national panel, our Midwest speakers will address the statewide outlook on reproductive justice, improving Black maternal and child health, emerging stronger from the triple pandemic of racism, police violence and COVID-19, and securing social and economic justice.

Gina Green-Harris, MBA, Director, LifeCourse Initiative for Healthy Families (LIHF), University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health

Tiffany Green, PhD, Asst. Professor, Population Health Sciences & OBGYN, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tamara N. Thompson, Doula & Childbirth Educator, Maroon Calabash

Moderated by:

Alia Stevenson, Chief Programs Officer, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

Lisa Peyton-Caire, CEO & Founder, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

Special Video Greetings by:

Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes

Dane County Executive Joe Parisi

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway

Tanya Atkinson, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Wisconsin

Featuring Dr. Joia Crear Perry, MD, Founder & President, National Birth Equity Collaborative

Join pre-eminent national expert Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, for an urgent presentation offering a current and comprehensive view of the status of Black maternal and child health in the United States.  Get informed and activated to join the movement to improve Black maternal and child health as Dr. Crear-Perry points us toward the actions and solutions we must take to systemically save the lives of Black mothers and babies.

Why is this conversation so important right now? Wisconsin presently ranks #1 in the nation for racial inequality, and first in the nation for Black infant mortality. Likewise Black women in Wisconsin are 5 times more likely to die in childbirth than our white counterparts in WI, and to face the added burden of deep social and economic inequities that threaten family stability and security. This trend is reflected in states across America, and the time is now to turn the tide. Please see our website to read more about local work we are doing to address birth disparities here in Dane County, at www.ffbww.org/savingourbabies; and to review the Saving Our Babies Report.

Dr. Crear-Perry’s fearless leadership and advocacy to advance and spur greater public accountability for improving Black maternal and child health is advancing all of our efforts nationwide. 

Do not miss this session!

The one & only DJ ACE, aka our community’s history-making YWCA of Dane County CEO Vanessa Rae McDowell will be spinning the turntables on Friday, Sept. 18th between sessions to keep us moving on that natural high! Tune in between keynotes and panels to get your groove on!

Join fitness diva & wellness entrepreneur Keena ‘Stayflyy’ Atkinson, Owner of R’oujie Wellness, for an energetic WERQ session that will get you off your seat and moving to the beat for a fun and healthy sweat session! Have water nearby and wear appropriate shoes! 

*Note: Participation in fitness demos at BWWDAY are voluntary, not required, and done at your own risk. Be sure to consult your physician or healthcare provider to ensure you are well enough to participate in this or other classes. 

Maintaining and sustaining our mental health has never been more important as we face unprecedented personal and collective upheaval, uncertainty, and isolation in the midst of COVID-19 and ongoing threats to our mind-body-spirit wellness. Breaking the stigma and shame around mental health is critical if we are to maximize our resilience and ability to thrive and persist in the ‘new normal’.  Join this exciting and unique panel of diverse vocies in the mental health and wellness space for a candid and crucial conversation about Cultivating New Pathways to Mental Wellness!

Kelli Joy Richardson Lawson, CEO & Founder, The Joy Collective and the Sonrise Project

Dr. Afiya Mangum Mbilishaka, Founder & CEO, PsychoHairopy & Clinical Psychologist

Les Alfred, Founder, Balanced Black Girl & Host, Balanced Black Girl Podcast  

Moderated by Alia Stevenson, Chief Programs Officer, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

The one & only DJ ACE, aka our community’s history-making YWCA of Dane County CEO Vanessa Rae McDowell will be spinning the turntables on Friday, Sept. 18th between sessions to keep us moving on that natural high! Tune in between keynotes and panels to get your groove on!

Join our expert panel for a candid and timely discussion about supporting young women to be healthy, well and free through the challenges of adolescence, rising racial unrest, and a global pandemic. Panelists will provide insight and empowering solutions to bolster young women’s mental and emotional wellness, sexual health, and confidence and preparation to succeed and thrive in the world.

Jasmine Zapata, MD, MPH, Board Certified Pediatrian, Speaker and Author

Rosa Thompson, Founder, Black Girl Magic Conference, Madison Metropolitan School District

Desi Carson, PsychoHairopy, Inc. & Mental Health Advocate

Moderated by Adrian Jones, Founding Board Member, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness; and Program Manager of Community Health Improvement, UW Health

The one & only DJ ACE, aka our community’s history-making YWCA of Dane County CEO Vanessa Rae McDowell will be spinning the turntables on Friday, Sept. 18th between sessions to keep us moving on that natural high! Tune in between keynotes and panels to get your groove on!

Join members of the FFBWW-BWWDAY Team and guests as re-cap our powerful day, engage our guests in a talk-back session, foreshadow Saturday’s agenda, and ANNOUNCE SEVERAL AWESOME PRIZES!  

*Be sure to have entered our giveaways at our virtual booth in the Exhibitor tab of the event app!

Check tomorrow’s schedule here and on the event app to get ready for Day 2!

Led by Tracie Renee Robinson, Owner, Essences of Wellness (Maryland, USA)

Join Tracie for a calming morning meditation and yoga session to ease into your day in perfect peace. Wear comfortable clothing and find a quiet place at home to take in this mind-body-spirit-centering experience.

*Note: Particpation in this and other fitness/physical movement demos at BWWDAY is voluntary and done at your own risk and discretion. By participating, you acknowledge that you are physically capable of participating and that you have consulted your doctor or healthcare provider in advance. 

Join us for a special Morning Workshop for Senior Adult Women, ages 62 and older featuring three expert speakers who will inform, inspire and empower you to live your best, healthiest life through and beyond COVID-19. Discussion will cover a range of topics including cancer prevention,  mental health and memory health, physical wellness, and staying safe and strong through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gale Johnson, Director, Wisconsin Well Woman Program

Debbie Jones, MD, Hospitalist, SSM Health -Dean & St. Mary’s Health, & FFBWW Board Member

Andrea Gilmore Bykovskyi, Geriatric Nurse and Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin School of Nursing

OR

8:00 – 9:00am — Virtual Networking & Wellness Marketplace

Welcome Message by Founding CEO & President Lisa Peyton, FFBWW Team & Sponsors

Special Video Messages by Madison Gas & Electric and Public Officials

Morning Prize Announcement!

Featuring Abiola Abrams, Award-Winning Empowerment Coach, Speaker, Author, Media
Personality, Spiritpreneur®

Join the energy-elevating Abiola Abrams as she INSPIRES you to embrace your inner Goddess and manifest the TRANSFORMATIONAL life you deserve! Have paper and pen ready to take notes, and be sure to share your comments and breakthrough moments in the chat!

Join Guest DJ Martinez “M” White, a Midwest favorite, as he spins the beats that make you bounce on this electrifying morning of information, inspiration and empowerment! 

Learn more about DJ M white at https://www.martinezwhite.com/about/ .

Featuring Kara Stevens, The Frugal Feminista 

Join money expert Kara Stevens for a power-hour of financial wellness and guidance on mapping your way to wealth! Kara has coached thousands of women and clients into more stable and fulfilling financial lives through her Frugal Feminista brand, and now is your chance to benefit from her wisdom as you create your blueprint to financial freedom!

This session is proudly sponsored by Summit Credit Union!

*Note: Visit the Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness virtual exhibit table on event days to access a FREE EXCERPT from Kara’s book, Heal Your Relationship with Money!

Special Video Greetings by:

State Representative Sheila Stubbs

Madison Mayor Satya Rhodes Conway

Jeff Keebler, Chairman, President & CEO, Madison Gas & Electric

*Be sure to visit our Exhibitor and Sponsor spaces in the event app to shop, connect and enter into prize giveaways!

Featuring Dr. Angela Cudger, Founder & Director of the Legacy Holistic Health Institute & Metaphysical Practitioner!

Be first in line to hear this life-bearing message from one of our country’s top wellness coaches and holistic health experts! Dr. Angela Cudger will MOVE US to new levels as we TRANSCEND our present circumstances and commit to THRIVING IN A NEW WORLD as #WellBlackWomen !

Join Milwaukee-based fitness phenom Coach Shannon Johnson, aka Shannon All Around, Owner of All Around Sports Fitness, for a 30-min power session to move your body and lift your soul! Wear proper shoes and have water nearby. Move at your own pace, stop if you need to, and make sure your Doctor/health care provider has cleared you for physical activity prior to the session. 

*Note: Participation in fitness demos at BWWDAY are voluntary, not required, and done at your own risk. Be sure to consult your physician or healthcare provider to ensure you are well enough to participate in this or other classes. 

Defending Black Girls, Raising Well Black Women in a New World We Create!

Join this powerful panel of fierce leaders as we close our formal presentations with a rallying call to DEFEND BLACK GIRLHOOD as we raise a generation of WELL BLACK WOMEN!

As Black women, we begin our lives as Black girls. Too often, we lack the protection and security we deserve in a world wrought with institutional violence, police violence, domestic violence, sexual violence, and a culture of silence that threatens to drown out our voices.

We’ll talk solutions, unapologetic advocacy, healing and RESILIENCE as we take back our freedom and  create a world where Black girls grow into women who are healthy, well and free!

With special guests:

Lilada Gee, Founder, Defending Black Girlhood

Sagashus Levingston, Founder & CEO, Infamous Mothers, LLC

Monique Minkens, Director of Coalition Programs, End Domestic Abuse Wisconsin

Moderated by Lisa Peyton-Caire and Alia Stevenson, The Foundation for Black Women’s Wellness

Join Guest DJ Martinez “M” White, a Midwest favorite, as he spins the beats that make you bounce on this electrifying morning of information, inspiration and empowerment! 

Learn more about DJ M white at https://www.martinezwhite.com/about/ .

Join us as we wrap-up #BWWDAY together with a collective conversation and commitment to forging ahead as #WellBlackWomen! Enjoy a riveting closing Spoken Word piece by artist K LOVE the Poet, and be present as we announce a few INCREDIBLE GIVEAWAYS!