‘Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story’ screening and panel coming April 16

Racism. Toxic stress. Birth outcomes.

How are these things intertwined? The short film, Toxic: A Black Woman’s Story, seeks to explore that question.

Peer into the world of the film’s lead protagonist, Nina. An elite lawyer, loyal wife, and loving mother of a teen boy, Nina is navigating life (and a pregnancy) to the best of her ability.

But sometimes the forces on a woman — especially a black woman — can be too much to bear.

In this highly anticipated short film, the viewer is invited on a journey of perspective transformation. Follow Nina in this day-in-the-life drama, and see the world through the eyes of a successful black woman who must navigate an unjust world while trying to protect the world she has created for herself and her family.

The film will be screened at a special Healthcare Equity Month event on Sunday, April 16 from 3:30 until 6 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College’s Morris Lawrence Building (4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor).

Following the screening, a panel of health care leaders will discuss and unfold the issues critical to improving maternal health equity.

Panelists include Rev. Shannon Polk, J.D., Courtney Townsel, M.D., M.Sc., Sheria Robinson-Lane, Ph.D., R.N., M.H.A., and Dayna Leplatte-Ogini, M.D. The moderator will be Polly Gipson Allen, Ph.D.