S2 Ep 28: Reproductive Justice and Venture Capital

Reproductive Justice and Venture Capital may seem like unrelated areas of interest, but in reality, they are interconnected in many ways!

Policy expert, writer, educator, and producer, Heidi Williamson, hosts a conversation with Marcela Howell and Ulili Onovakpuri to explore these intersections and imagine an empowered future for all. Kicking off our conversation, we are introduced to Marcela’s work as President, CEO and Founder of In Our Own Voices with the National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, and Ulili’s role as partner at Kapor Capital.

Sparked by 2020’s protests against police brutality, there has been a movement towards racial justice and equity within and beyond criminal justice. This conversation centers health, reproductive justice, and freedom for all. Join us as we differentiate between sectors, explore both tensions and possibilities, and consider the role that investors can play in ensuring reproductive justice. Thanks for tuning in!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Background on host Heidi Williamson, policy expert, writer, educator, producer, and voice for change.
• Welcoming Marcela Howell, president, CEO, and Founder of In Our Own Voices: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda.
• An introduction to Ulili Onovakpuri, partner at Kapor Capital, an early-stage, social-impact venture capital firm.
• Context for the conversation with 2020’s protests against police brutality in mind.
• Understanding that criminal justice is not the only area where racial justice and equity is necessary.
• What to bear in mind if you are new to understanding reproductive justice.
• Ulili’s relationship with impact investment and what it means to her and the team at Kapor Capital.
• Defining reproductive justice and why it is important to this conversation.
• Ulili’s perspective on venture capital.
• The work of educating investors on access issues faced by poor communities.
• How the COVID-19 pandemic revealed inequalities in our world.
• Why investment in Black communities benefits everyone.
• The importance of reaching out to Black communities to communicate how innovations can help.
• Why it is necessary to enter communities to see opportunity.
• Why reproductive healthcare is about economics, culture, and more.
• The reason behind the inherent lack of trust between Black people and venture capitalists.
• Being intentional about having people from the community you are serving on your team.
• Why fighting racism is a long-term investment that requires building trust over time.
• Potential and possibility demonstrated by a diverse show of support for Black Lives Matter.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Marcela Howell on LinkedIn

National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda

Heidi Williamson on LinkedIn

Hummingbird Black Creative

Ulili Onovakpuri on LinkedIn

Kapor Capital

Rhia Ventures

P.S. Blossom on Instagram