June 2023 Newsletter

Scholarships Needed for Wellness Week(end)!

Our Wellness Week(end), taking place from October 20-22 in Atlanta, is the only event where Black women living with MS are invited to have a seat at the table, and we need your help in getting more of our members there!

Can’t make it to Wellness Week(end) but want to help a woman in need attend? Consider providing a scholarship to a We Are ILL member. There are options to provide scholarships for a single attendee, five attendees or 10 attendees.

General Admission ($150) and VIP ($325) tickets are currently on sale. We hope to see you there for what’s sure to be an uplifting weekend of restoration, connection and elevation!

We Are ILL Convenes at CMSC

We Are ILL was thrilled to attend the Annual Meeting of the Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) — the largest North American gathering for MS healthcare professionals and researchers — last week! Our founder and CEO, Victoria Reese, and our dedicated administrative assistant, Lianca Lyons, represented our organization with passion and power.

CMSC is a place where healthcare providers, pharmaceutical companies, and patient advocates meet to discuss all aspects of MS. Victoria’s powerful talk shed light on health inequities from the patient’s perspective. Sharing the panel, “Tackling Health Disparities in Diverse Populations in Multiple Sclerosis,” with four healthcare professionals, including our board member and MS specialist, Dr. Mitzi Williams, Victoria spoke candidly about bias, mistrust, and inequity in the MS community.

Victoria closed the session with a bold and raw account of her personal experiences — reminding everyone in the room that at the heart of every discussion, every policy, and every treatment, there is a patient.

Blog: Embracing the Journey

Moyna John-Caraballo, one of our Ambassadors, shares a topic that’s relatable to many MS patients — managing daily life while battling depression. In her latest blog post, “Embracing the Journey: Living With Multiple Sclerosis, Battling Depression, and Finding Strength,” Moyna reveals several strategies that she has employed to combat depression and regain control of her mental well-being. Check them out and share them with a fellow sister in MS!

Bringing in June With Pride

We’re celebrating Pride Month with a special salute to the Black LGBTQIA+ members within our community — the trailblazers and heroes who live their truths every day. In our community and beyond, Black women embody the spirit of Pride — courage, authenticity, and resilience.

From the intersections of race, gender, and sexuality, they lead with grace and strength, showing us the power of living out loud. Whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or an ally, this month, let’s honor their contributions and uplift their voices. Here’s to Black women in our community and around the world — your pride is our pride.

Happy Pride Month! 🏳️‍🌈

Upcoming Events

June 14-15

MS Society’s Black MS Experience Summit

The National MS Society is hosting its Black MS Experience Summit next week. This year’s virtual summit — focused on the theme of “Resist Invisibility, Embrace Identity” — will feature dynamic stories and speakers who will address invisibility and create a safe space to share stories and connect through common experiences.

June 24

Joi Life Foundation Roundtable Discussion in NYC

Calling all New York-based sisters in MS! Our board member, Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, will be hosting an impactful roundtable discussion at the iconic Apollo Theater on Saturday, June 24. Our founder and CEO, Victoria Reese, will be joined by the above group of featured guests. Don’t miss the chance to hear from these experts on improving shared decision making for patients!