Sunday Showcase

Bone Black: Midwives vs. the South
Directed by Imani Nikyah Dennison

Sunday, July 9, 3 pm

Free

Director Imani Nikyah Dennison examines the history and erasure of Black midwives in the South and how the attack on birth workers has created a mortality crisis in the Black community.

Bone Black is, in the words of the director, “a love letter to Black women and Black birth workers throughout the American South. There is a disparity between Black women who survived childbirth versus other races. For centuries there has been a community of Black women keeping other Black women alive. A solution to this is dedicated care like birthing centers and midwives.  . . . I think of the ability to be cared for from the first month forward for Black women not to have to face barriers in their pregnancy, and for mothers to love their children and know they are healthy is really important.” 2023, U.S., DCP, 21 minutes. Recommended for 12+

CINEMA+ with a post-screening discussion with director Imani Nikyah Dennison in person.

In order to make this program more accessible for parents, childcare will be provided from 2:30 to 4: 30 pm by Quality Childcare Circle in the Speed Cinema lobby with an art activity provided by the Speed’s Learning and Engagement staff.

Screened in conjunction with the exhibition Amy Sherald’s Portrait of Breonna Taylor: In the Garden.