August 2023 Newsletter

Calling All Vendors: Wellness Week(end) Needs You!

Wellness Week(end) is just around the corner (taking place October 20-22 in Atlanta), and we’re looking for vendors to be part of this extraordinary event!

If you’re a business owner specializing in health, wellness, self-care products, or anything that celebrates the empowerment of Black women living with MS, we want YOU to join us! Why?

• Reach your ideal audience: Wellness Week(end) is THE premier event for Black women living with MS, creating a perfect platform to showcase your products and services to an engaged and diverse audience.
• Empower and inspire: Be part of an event that celebrates health, wellness, and self-care, making a positive impact on the lives of attendees.
• Connect and network: Forge meaningful connections with fellow business owners, professionals, and advocates in the MS community.
• Boost your brand: Elevate your brand’s visibility and gain exposure in a supportive and welcoming space.
• Make a difference: By vending at Wellness Week(end), you contribute to creating a safe, inclusive space that fosters personal growth and support for Black women living with MS.

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect with our vibrant community and make a lasting impact! To secure your spot as a vendor at Wellness Week(end), simply click the button below to buy your table(s). Let’s make this gathering the most empowering one yet!

Happy 6th Anniversary to Us!

Next Monday, August 14, marks our sixth anniversary! We’re celebrating the strides we’ve made in positively impacting in the lives of our members and the greater MS community. Over the past six years years, We Are ILL has provided unwavering support and empowered Black women living with MS — and we are so thankful for our members and partners who have been on this journey with us!

You can be a part of this special movement too! Here’s how you can show your support:

• Share WAI’s mission and accomplishments on your socials.
• Donate to help ensure that we can reach more Black women with MS.
• Join our Facebook community, if you haven’t already (here if you’re one of our sisters in MS or here for our public page).
• Educate yourself and others about the experiences of Black women with MS.

MS Takes Center Stage at the Apollo Theater

Our CEO and founder, Victoria Reese, had the distinct honor of being part of the Joi Life Foundation’s Health Equity Roundtable Discussion at the iconic Apollo Theater in NYC on June 24!

Other panelists included Dr. Mitzi Joi Williams, founder and CEO of the Joi Life Foundation and We Are ILL board member; Dr. Mary Hughes; Dr. Annette Okai; Dr. Stephen Krieger; and Ann Marie Johnson, an MS ambassador and disability advocate. “Teamwork Makes The Dream Work” was the focus of the discussion, centering on ways to align patient and provider goals to improve shared decision-making in culturally diverse populations.

It’s events like these that remind us how crucial it is to come together and amplify the voices for health equity, and we’re grateful to the Joi Life Foundation for including Victoria in this powerful conversation!

Victoria Featured in Sweet July

We are thrilled to share that Victoria was featured in an inspirational article on sweetjuly.com that speaks to the power of Black women defying medical diagnoses! Victoria has created a sanctuary where Black women living with MS can flourish and be truly seen. Her resilience and tenacity are beyond inspiring.

She was highlighted along with two other remarkable women: Cherelle “Torch” George, the unstoppable Harlem Globetrotter who faced hyperthyroidism head-on, and Ayanna Sealey, the Alvin Ailey trained-dancer and mental performance coach, who discovered her true purpose by managing lymphedema.

The article, “3 Women Share How They Are Navigating Their Next Chapter After A Medical Diagnosis,” highlights the extraordinary journeys of these three incredible women.

In Case You Missed It

• August is Black Business Month. Leave a comment with your favorite Black-owned business, especially the MS-centered ones, on this post.

• Tickets are almost sold out for Wellness Week(end) — our premier event where Black women living with MS are invited to have a seat at the table. Get your ticket before it’s too late!

• Looking for a MS specialist? Our Black MS Doctor Directory has got you covered.

Upcoming Events

August 10

National MS Society — New to MS: Navigating Your Journey with Ashley Ratcliff, WAI’s Director of Communications

Thanks to our generous sponsor