Have you had the “M” talk? You know, that talk. About menopause!
In this conversation with Omisade Burney-Scott, I have the opportunity to explore the intersections of ancestral wisdom, spirituality, and the experiences of Black women, Black bodies navigating menopause. Omisade shares her ancestral led journey into advocacy for reproductive justice and the importance of community support in understanding and normalizing menopause.
Just in case you don’t know, Omisade Burney-Scott (she/her) is a seventh-generation Black Southern feminist, storyteller, and reproductive justice advocate. She is also the Founder and Chief Menopause Steward of The Black Girls’ Guide to Surviving Menopause (BGG2SM), a multidisciplinary narrative and culture shift project focused on normalizing menopause by centering the stories of Black women, transgender, gender-expansive people, and other marginalized groups of the Global Majority.
Established in 2019, BGG2SM's core program offerings include a podcast, curated intergenerational storytelling gatherings, and a digital zine titled "Messages from the Menopausal Multiverse." She has been featured in multiple prominent media outlets, such as Oprah Daily, Forbes, VOGUE, WebMD, NPR, The Washington Post, and The New York Times. I stress to listeners during the interview that Omisade has BEEN doing this work! Long before it was trendy! Long before my favorite actress, Halle Berry was hollering MENOPAUSE on Capitol Hill.
I’m so grateful for this intimate conversation. We discuss the impact of loss, the significance of rites of passage, and the role of ancestors in shaping contemporary practices. We both emphasize the need for inclusivity in reproductive health discussions and the growing movement around menopause awareness, as we’ve both have contributed more than a decade to the menstrual equity and reproductive justice space.
This Queen takes me and listeners on a ride through the complexities of navigating life transitions, particularly menopause, through the lens of community, storytelling, and cultural identity. We also tap in on the importance of witnessing, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and the power of shared experiences in fostering resilience and understanding. Emphasizing the need for inclusivity in reproductive health discussions and the growing movement around menopause awareness, as we’ve both have contributed more than a decade to reproductive justice. In sharing the journey of her initiation to the Ifá religion, Omisade highlights the significance of ancestral memory, diasporic connections, and the need for inclusive gatherings that honor diverse narratives and experiences.
Omisade and her team are preparing to offer the first intergenerational menopause conference for the Global Majority, Queer community and formerly incarcerated people called Iranti Eje: Remembering Blood, this October 9th-12th in Durham, NC. Do yourself a solid and check out the beautiful website for more details on this community offering.
I will also be present at the gathering, offering my doula services at the Red Tent on the grounds. The Red Tent will serve as a restorative space inspired by ancient traditions where people who bleed can gather to rest and reconnect.
You can register for everything here. It’s going to be so beautiful. See you there!
