August 2022 Newsletter

Celebrating Black Business Month

August is Black Business Month, and in true We Are ILL fashion, we’re celebrating Black women business owners who also are living with MS. This roundup showcases their companies, specializing in products from abstract art to candles, to mental health therapy to marriage counseling and beyond. Get to know more about these stellar businesses and the Black women behind them. We see you, sis!

Announcing the Theme of Wellness Weekend

In the US, Black women have a 47% increased risk of MS compared with white women. Among African Americans, women had triple the risk of MS compared to men. We also deal with a higher rate of delayed diagnosis. And if the pandemic has taught us anything, it’s that time is of the essence for us to prioritize our health and well-being. If not now, then when? That’s why the theme of Wellness Weekend 2022 is “For Such a Time as This.” It’s our time. We’ve earned it. Now is the time to advocate for our health care as a collective. We hope to see you November 4-6! Stay tuned for more info.

Upcoming Events

August 11

New to MS: Navigating Your Journey

August 14

We Are ILL’s Fifth Anniversary

When Victoria Reese and Lauren Hutton-Work launched We Are ILL back on August 14, 2017, they had one goal in mind: Redefine what “sick” looks like for Black women living with MS. We’ve come a long way and have so much to be proud of, from the platforms we’ve been able to stand on, to the partnerships and relationships we’ve fostered, to you — our beautiful community that we’ve been able to support and serve.

Thanks so much for rockin’ with us over the years! If We Are ILL has made a positive impact on your life, please consider dropping us a note to let us know.

Introducing Ashley M. Ratcliff

Have you been enjoying the content found in these newsletters and on Instagram? Well, we’d like to introduce you to the wordsmith responsible for them. Meet Ashley M. Ratcliff, the newest member of the We Are ILL team! She is serving as our Director of Communications & Operations. Ashley also is an advocate, speaker and the author of “Jesus Year,” an Amazon bestselling self-help memoir about her journey with MS.

Good News! We’ve Gotten Resourceful