Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Krystal Redman.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Dr. Krystal. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
By way of California, I ventured to Georgia to dive deeper into the public health needs of Black communities. As a Public Health Doctor, I desired to work on the ground with Black folx and people of color to work to build “decision-making-power” around their bodies, health, and lives.
After arriving to Georgia, I began working at the Department of Public Health, leading the Family Planning Program in the Maternal and Child Health section. Very quickly, I noticed that–as an executive leader at the department– I was the only person that looked like me –young, Black womxn-- sitting around a table making decisions for predominantly Black communities and programming around our health. In that space, I felt an intense need for me to leave that space and put my skills and knowledge to use on the grassroots level within the Reproductive Justice movement.
I came to SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW!, Inc (SPARK) in 2015 because I felt this was a perfect place to blend my skills as a public health professional with my desire to achieve full justice and equity for Black womxn, people of color, and young queer people of color. This shift was a “no-brainer” to me as, SPARK’s mission is to build new leadership, change culture, and advance knowledge in Georgia and the South to ensure individuals and communities have resources and power to make sustainable and liberatory decisions about our bodies, gender, sexualities, and lives.
As the Executive Director of SPARK, you can often catch me organizing on-the-ground with our community base, at the Capitol advocating for legislation that affects our communities, traveling throughout the states and internationally to provide trainings and lead classes/workshops/seminars on topics that include–but not limited to– Black maternal health, Eugenics/Population control, Reproductive Justice, Queer Liberation, Equitable Access to Comprehensive Care, and Public Health Practices.
To me, building collective community power and developing leaders is vital in dismantling systems of oppression. This is how we will get to full equity, justice, and whole wellness and health.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
For years, I have been working on dismantling the narrative and belief that maternal health outcomes, birthing outcomes, and primary health outcomes of Black womxn is directly related to socioeconomic factors. In fact, especially in the South, health outcomes are due to systemic oppression and systemic racism. I am living proof of this.
In 2017, I was 27 weeks pregnant and diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. As a “health, young person,” who also makes a good living –has access to healthcare, insurance, etc.– How could I be diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Well, this is because of institutional racism and historic racism that has put “unnamed stress” on my body. My son was born extremely premature and spent four months in the NICU fighting for his life, as well as underwent several procedures and surgeries. He currently is thriving with some disabilities.
These stories are not discussed or heard of enough. How oppression weighs on our bodies, lives, and families. Which in effect, affects our health outcomes.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW! – what should we know?
Executive Director –SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW!, Inc.–
SPARK works to ensure the liberation of all people, but our analysis is specifically anchored in the historical lasting legacy of the enslavement and exploitation of Black people in the South, this legacy includes economic disenfranchisement, racial inequality, and reproductive oppression, all of which were at the site of labor domination, violence, and experimentation. This is why we center Black women, women of color and Queer/Trans Young People of color.
Author –I am Amyracle…and I was born early–
After going through my struggles with birth, I decided to write a book– on behalf of my child Amyr– that aims to normalize the conversations around prematurity and developmental disabilities in Black communities.
Professor –Emory School of Public Health–
Owner and Public Health and Medical Consultant –HEAP Consulting Group, LLC–
HEAP is a consulting firm that I started in 2013 that partners with health providers and public and private organizations, to help build infrastructure, develop public health programs, and evaluate current organizational and program structure.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My passion for health, community wellness, and justice. My ability, as a Black woman and healthcare leaders to insert myself in spaces where my representation matters. And of course, my determination and resistance to “failure.”
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.sparkrj.org/
- Email: info@sparkrj.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sparkrjnow/
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