Reproductive Justice Symposium: Moving Towards Action

Bianca I. Laureano, PhD, MA2, CSE, CSES

Bianca I Laureano is an award-winning educator, curriculum writer, and sexologist. She is a co-foundress of the Women of Color Sexual Health Network and ANTE UP! a virtual freedom school. She has written curricula and led the curriculum development for the award-winning Netflix film Crip Camp and PBS documentary I Didn’t See You There, both guided by disability justice principles. She is an AASECT certified sexuality educator and supervisor and was awarded an honorary doctorate from the California Institute for Integral Studies for her work in expanding the US sexuality field. She is the editor of The People’s Book of Human Sexuality: Expanding the Sexology Archive (2023). Find out more about Bianca at her website BiancaLaureano.com and about ANTE UP! 

Cedric Pulliam, PhD (Advancing Health Equity)

After serving nearly 13 years as a public servant in the U.S. federal government with a focus on foreign diplomacy, global and public health (HIV), global human rights and gender equality, international development, and multilateral diplomacy – he has rooted his federal career in the objectives of access, community, diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout his work. He values the role of community, ensuring their voices are heard and seen within policies and programs, and continues to volunteer within the public health corps within his local community – the epitome of a community-oriented public health practitioner. He recently served as the Director of Global Public Policy at Prevention Access Campaign. Throughout his federal career, Cedric has served at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, Congressional Research Service, and the U.S. Department of the Air Force. Cedric founded CDP Consulting, LLC, which was started in 2014 to assist recent veterans in career and professional development and transitioned into a public health and health equity consultancy company in 2018. Through CDP Consulting, LLC, Dr. Pulliam provides health equity and patient advocacy consulting to several industry, government, and nonprofit entities within the Atopic Dermatitis, HIV, IBD and Crohn’s Disease communications, clinical research and patient access and quality of care areas. Dr. Pulliam attended Elon University, obtained International Studies and Political Science bachelor’s degrees, and was recognized with the 2022 Top 10 Under 10 Alumni and 2017 LGBTQIA Community Enrichment awards. Cedric received a 2012 full-tuition fellowship from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, where he obtained his first master’s degree in International Relations and European Studies. He went on to complete graduate studies at Georgetown University and George Mason University, focusing on International Development and Conflict Resolution, and completed his doctoral studies in Health and Medical Psychology at Northcentral University.

Centering Equity, Race, and Cultural Literacy in Family Planning (CERCL-FP)

Is a collective of 13 physicians and one critical race theory law professor of color. We are multiracial, multiethnic, intergenerational, polyglot, transnational, and represent diverse immigrant and LGBTQ+ experiences. Our mission is to implement racial justice frameworks to advance family planning healthcare by centering communities of color, embracing stories, fostering dialogue, and transforming systems of education, research, mentorship, leadership, advocacy, clinical care, and family and community engagement.

Jason M. Cruz, MA, A.T.R

Jason Cruz, of Puerto Rican descent, is an Expressive Arts Therapist with over 25 years of dedicated experience supporting underserved communities. Currently, he serves as the Director of Culture and Experience at Raw Art Works, a youth arts organization deeply rooted in art therapy. In this role, he guides staff, leads therapeutic groups, and shapes program development. His expertise has been showcased at esteemed events such as the NYC Art Therapy Conference and the American Art Therapy Association’s 50th Anniversary Conference. Jason has also spoken at prestigious institutions such as Harvard University, Lesley University, and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Recognized for his commitment to supporting underserved youth, Jason has received numerous awards including the Isaac Monroe Award for Service to Youth and Bank of America’s National Award for Excellence in Community. Jason is deeply committed to harnessing the power of art to drive positive change, inspiring transformation through therapy, education, and community engagement. Jason holds a Master of Arts in Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University.

Kai Williams (Advancing Health Equity)

Kai Williams is a consultant, leadership coach, facilitator, and executive leader with nearly 20 years of experience in the healthcare field. Most of her career has been in the fields of sexual and reproductive health and harm reduction. She’s held positions spanning from Training and Operations Manager to Sr. VP of Healthcare Delivery and Interim Co-CEO. She has extensive experience leading organizational change and in the “art” of balancing the needs of patients, employees, and the health of the business as an accountable leader. Kai’s mission is to improve the culture, experience, outcomes, and effectiveness of healthcare organizations and individuals.
Through training sessions, assessments, and coaching, she works to create environments, systems, and individuals that prioritize equity, inclusivity, and anti-racism. Kai has honed her practice with specialized training, including a certification in Executive Healthcare Leadership, Change Management, Facilitative Leadership for Social Change, Mind Sciences on Difference, and Advancing Racial Justice in Organizations.

Nicole Clark, LMSW

Nicole Clark, LMSW (she/her) is a licensed social worker and owner of Nicole Clark Consulting, where she partners with mission aligned BIPOC-centered, women-led, and allied organizations whose work supports the lived experiences and advancement of women, girls, femmes and gender expansive youth of color. Using a Reproductive Justice-informed and intersectional approach, Nicole leads, partners with and consults on projects related to participatory research, program design, strategic planning, and culturally responsive and equitable evaluation. Nicole is based in Washington, DC.

Tajan Braithwaite-Renderos

Tajan is an ICF ACC credentialed leadership development coach who helps leaders integrate a coaching approach to management so they can easily navigate the most challenging parts of people management-such as conflict and tough conversations with ease through workshops, coaching, learning collaboratives and consulting. Tajan has served as a manager and evaluator for national public health training centers and has served as a former Director for a Center for Health Equity at JSI. She has given talks, and conducted training sessions for companies including Twitter, Cooley, LLP, Intel, and others. Tajan has coached hundreds of clients with techniques centered around her proprietary MCDC framework©, her clients work at companies across diverse industries such as Netflix, Dropbox, Suffolk Construction, BMW, Mediabrands, and others.

The symposium will be following MPDH and CDC guidance with regards to COVID. Masking is optional* (see below) and masks will be provided at registration. Optional COVID tests will be provided at registration. If you have symptoms of a respiratory virus, such as a fever, sore throat, cough or a runny or stuffy nose, we kindly ask that you stay home.

*Masking will be required for the Breakout session titled “No Bodymind Left Behind: Implementing Disability Justice Principles.”

Contact us at masrhtrainingcenter@jsi.com for more information or questions.