JOHNS HOPKINS PROFESSORS JOIN CIVIL RIGHTS LEADERS AND SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATES TO DISCUSS POLICY INNOVATIONS TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF BLACK WOMEN AND GIRLS IN THE U.S.

Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health in the Department of Mental Health Tiara Willie and Associate Professor and Associate Director of the PhD and Postdoctoral programs at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing Kamila Alexander will join U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson-Coleman (D-NJ) on September 20, 2023, at 6 p.m. in the Grand Hyatt, Washington, D.C., and on livestream for a discussion about policy innovations to protect the lives of Black women and girls in the U.S.

While Black women and girls make up roughly seven percent of the U.S. population, they account for nearly 36 percent of all missing females in America. With support from the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, Willie and Alexander are collaborating closely with the Congressional Black Caucus; the National Council of Negro Women Inc.; the National Organization for Women Inc.; Ujima Inc.; the National Center on Violence Against Women in the Black Community; and Ready to Beauty LLC, to develop this educational briefing on the epidemic of missing and murdered Black women and girls in the U.S. 

Registration Required: Advanced registration is required as in-person space is limited. If you have questions about this event, contact Su Tellakat at [email protected]. 

Event Speakers:

• Tiara C. Willie, PhD, MA, is a Bloomberg Assistant Professor of American Health in the Department of Mental Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Her research examines the etiology and health consequences of gender-based violence among populations at risk of or currently experiencing violence, domestically and globally. 
• Kamila A. Alexander, PhD, MPH, RN, is an Associate Professor and Associate Director of the PhD and Postdoctoral programs at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing. Her research examines the socio-structural influences of trauma and violence on the health and safety of individuals and families experiencing marginalization. 
• U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) represents Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District. Rep. Omar is the Vice-Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee. She also serves on the House Education and Workforce Committee, where she is a member of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections and Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, Pensions (HELP). She is the Deputy Chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus and Vice Chair of the Medicare For All Caucus.
• U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) represents New Jersey’s 12th Congressional District and is the first Black woman to represent New Jersey in Congress. Rep. Watson Coleman is a member of the Appropriations Committee and serves as Chair of the Policing, Constitution, and Equality task force in the Congressional Progressive Caucus. Watson Coleman is currently serving her fifth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

ABOUT THE BLOOMBERG AMERICAN HEALTH INITIATIVE 

Through education, research, and practice, the Bloomberg American Health Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health aims to impact five challenges to the nation’s health: addiction and overdose, adolescent health, environmental challenges, food systems for health, and violence. The Initiative was founded with a gift from Bloomberg Philanthropies in honor of the centennial of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. For more information, visit americanhealth.jhu.edu.

ABOUT THE INSTITUTE FOR POLICY SOLUTIONS 

The Institute for Policy Solutions at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing elevates the role of nurses as strategic experts and change agents in reimagining the U.S. health care system. Nurses are the oxygen of the health system. Trusted by the public and decision makers, they bring a unique and important perspective to solving our nation’s most pressing health care challenges. The Institute is a place where nursing research, innovation, and thought leadership come together to shape policies for a healthy future. For more information, visit nursing.jhu.edu. 

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