Monica Simpson, Executive Director
She/Her
Monica Raye Simpson, a queer, black, NC native, has organized extensively against human rights abuse, the prison industry, racism, and systemic violence against Southern black women and LBGTQ people. A proud graduate of the historically black Johnson C. Smith University, she earned a bachelor’s in Communications and organized for LGBTQ rights on and off campus. She then became the Operations Director and the first person of color at the Charlotte Lesbian & Gay Community Center. Next, she trained black youth in activism, philanthropy, and fundraising as the Ujamaa Coordinator for Grassroots Leadership. In 2010, she moved to GA to be our Development Coordinator; she was promoted to Deputy Coordinator in 2011, Interim Executive Director in 2012, and Executive Director in 2013.
Monica is a nationally sought-after facilitator, speaker, and organizer, constantly called upon to travel the country for appearances. She is the only woman among the 4 founders of Charlotte, NC's Black Gay Pride Celebration, the first in the Bible Belt, which received awards from the National Black Justice Coalition and the Human Rights Coalition for its incredible launch with 7,000 participants. She has been featured in many publications for her activism, and has written many articles on LGBTQ issues, RJ, over-policing of black/brown communities, philanthropy, and Southern activism. In 2014 she was named a New Civil Rights Leader by Essence Magazine, and in 2015 was chosen as a panelist for the Women of the World Summit. Also a full circle doula certified through the International Center for Traditional Childbirth, she serves on the boards of the Fund for Southern Communities and the legendary Highlander Center.
A singer and spoken word artist who infuses art into her activism, Monica has appeared in theatrical productions such as For the Love of Harlem, Words the Isms, Walk Like a Man, The Vagina Monologues, and For Colored Girls. She released her first solo album, Revolutionary Love, in 2015, and she has performed at events across the country, including singing the National Anthem and the National Black Anthem for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. march and rally in Atlanta, GA. Monica created Artists United for Reproductive Justice as a project of SisterSong in order to create a platform for artists to collaborate on replicable artwork that furthers the Reproductive Justice movement. Monica is based in Atlanta.
Leah Jones, Deputy director
She/Her
Black person, Woman, proud Mama, Birth Justice Activist and Maternal Health Advocate…Leah approaches this work holistically. Along with her colleagues at SisterSong, she is committed to cultivating civil equity and changing the landscape for women and families of indigenous cultures regarding reproductive wellness and wellbeing…in other words, she’s here to change the narrative. Leah’s own maternal health journey continues to be a catalyst and source of personal insight in (guiding) her activism. “Birthing justice is within a HUMAN right to conceive, birth, labor, raise family and sustain life without fear of inequity, without fear of violence…with whom we desire, how we desire. It’s also imperative to shatter the ideals and myths around Black women who birth, and what that’s supposed to look like in the broad context of parenting.” It is perhaps second nature that Leah is so progressively passionate about this work, as her great great great grandmother, a freed slave, was a midwife in Kentucky for the U.S. military during the Civil War, and granted a land deed for her service. The service and land of Leah's ancestors remain a part of her legacy. Her promotion and leadership, as Deputy Director since 2017, is steeped in birth justice programming, of which includes the Birth Justice Care Fund, and other initiatives focused on amplifying the voices of Black and Indigenous community midwives, breast and chest feeding education, and youth parenting support groups. Holding certification in Nonprofit Human Resources Management, she also manages the organizational Legal Compliance, Finance, Human Resources and Operations. Leah Jones, Louisville, KY born and raised, resides in Atlanta with her precocious toddler, Mecca. When not creating informative spaces in her work, you may find Leah seeking pleasure with her tribe of sisterhood, painting, traveling, or flowing to the sounds of live music or her favorite ATL artists and djs. How can people support this work?
“First and foremost, by examining their personal politics around bodily autonomy.”
BRITTANY SMITH, Program director
She/Her
Brittany was born and raised in Gainesville, Florida and began her work in reproductive health as a peer health educator at Florida State University. As the Program Director, she manages SisterSong’s State Programming and Youth Programming in Georgia, North Carolina, and Kentucky. She also plays a key role in external programming with partners and stakeholders. She is often looking ahead to implementing new programs and creating fresh approaches to fighting for maternal health equity and reproductive justice. Her passion for maternal and child health led her to get a master's degree in Maternal and Child Health at the University of South Florida, and she is also a certified doula. Her passion for sexual health education, Human Rights, Maternal and Child Health, and Reproductive Justice complement her education, keen skills programming and organization skills, and management experience.
Brittany also served the communities of central and southwest Louisiana for six years as a Regional Prevention Coordinator for the Louisiana STD/HIV/Hepatitis Program, and later accepted a position as a Clinical Operations Manager with Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Brittany moved back to the East coast to focus her passions on serving Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Brittany has happily rooted herself in Atlanta. She is a cinephile and coffee lover who also enjoys cooking and learning new recipes while dancing in the kitchen. Brittany is a Womanist, a dog mama to a rescue pup, an avid reader, music lover, and a devoted daughter and friend.
OREOLUWA ADEGBOYEGA, OPERATIONS Director HE/HIM
Ore is a cisgender male, Brooklyn, NY native and Atlanta, GA transplant. Ore graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors in Finance and Hospitality. His exposure to the Reproductive Justice and Black Feminist movement made it easy to make the shift to SisterSong from corporate. In 2016, he began with SisterSong as a volunteer during our Trust Black Women Resource Days. His interest quickly grew, and he then joined SisterSong as an intern. In 2017, he became SisterSong’s Administrative Assistant and the first male to join our staff, in our 20 years of existence. His time in the RJ movement has inspired him to create the RJ For Black Men training under SisterSong’s Reproductive Justice training programming. He believes in bringing awareness to relevant issues such as racism and toxic masculinity within his community to aid breaking down barriers that deny human rights.
Ore is based in Atlanta.
DANIELLE RODRIGUEZ, GEORIGA COORDINATOR
THEY/THEM/She/Her
A dedicated advocate, and organizer, embraces both she and they pronouns to honor their multifaceted identity. As the Georgia Coordinator at SisterSong, the esteemed National Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective, Danielle devotes their efforts to championing reproductive justice and empowering marginalized communities.
At the heart of Danielle's work lies a profound belief in the transformative power of coalition building and community growth. Through their role, they skillfully cultivate partnerships and nurture collaborations to advance the collective cause. They are driven by the understanding that true progress can only be achieved when diverse voices unite, fostering empathy, understanding, and shared purpose.
One of Danielle's significant contributions is the creation of the SisterSong Queer, Trans, and Women Bailout Program, a small yet mighty initiative with a profound mission—freedom for Georgia's most marginalized communities. By addressing the systemic injustices within the criminal justice system, this program provides vital support and resources to those who have been disproportionately impacted.
Recognizing the intrinsic link between civic engagement and reproductive justice, Danielle spearheaded the 'RJ the Vote' campaign—an embodiment of their commitment to fostering inclusive and safe spaces for the community. By organizing a transformative event where individuals could gather, converse, heal, and dance while awaiting the final votes for governor or presidency, they aimed to empower marginalized communities, reminding them of their collective strength and agency.
In addition to their impactful campaigns, Danielle has demonstrated their dedication to education and dialogue by playing a pivotal role in organizing the first RJ Leadership Summit (2014) and co-organizing the 'Let's Talk About Sex' Conferences. These gatherings fostered an open and inclusive environment where participants engaged in thoughtful discussions, shared knowledge, and collectively envisioned a future where reproductive health and justice are upheld for all.
Danielle Rodriguez is an influential organizer who spearheaded the reproductive justice movement in response to the appalling forced sterilizations targeting BIPOC individuals at the Irwin County Detention Center. Through her tireless efforts, she organized a Reproductive Justice Briefing, hosted vigils with impacted families and freed migrants, penned heartfelt letters to government officials, spoke passionately at rallies, and worked in coalition to ultimately celebrate the success of closing the Irwin County Detention Center. Danielle's advocacy for migrant justice remains unwavering as she continues to fight for the rights and well-being of migrants, steadfastly working towards a more equitable and humane society for all.
Danielle's approach to advocacy is rooted in thoughtful reflection and a deep understanding of the complex issues at hand. By amplifying the stories and experiences of marginalized communities, they strive to challenge societal norms and inspire meaningful change. Their tireless efforts as a reproductive justice organizer that is woven in their work in migrant protection and LGBTQ+ liberation, exemplify a profound commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive society for all.
Danielle proudly dedicates their time to parenting, engaging in therapy, abolition and healing justice.
SHANTI MOoRE, BIRTH JUSTICE COORDINATOR
She/Her
“Tenacity, compassion, curiosity, formidableness, and doses of magic…” Shanti embodies what is needed to do the good and necessary work that is Reproductive Justice. A Registered Nurse, licensed massage therapist, and Birth Justice activist, she advocates for the human right to choose, choose safely, and access the resources needed to support those choices. Her professional journey has been a serendipitous one, guiding her steps specifically toward supporting people during birth as a Doula, and currently her studies in becoming a Nurse-Midwife. “I never could have imagined that I’d find myself here, and I’m so grateful to be doing the work. It was during her 13 years in mental health nursing that Shanti’s passion for activism began to flourish. In 2017, she began her work as a doula, volunteering labor support to birthing people from underserved communities and cultures. Three years later, she joined SistaSong’s Birth Justice team, and in this work cultivated a Labor Support Training course for birthing people with limited access to doulas. Shanti’s service also includes assistance in organizing a Queer Parenting Panel to support Queer and Transgender individuals exploring parenthood. She continues to use her gifts, talents, and skills to directly improve birthing outcomes for Black and Brown people and other marginalized cultures and communities. Shanti, a Chicago native, has called ATL home for over 20 years. In her leisure, you may find her hiking amid nature, in her artistry of singing and songwriting, and most definitely pampering with aspirations of being a “SPA CONNOISSEUR.” How can others be supportive of this work? “I think that others can be supportive of this work by looking outside of their comfort zones, their isolated spaces…and recognizing that we are affected by EVERYthing that happens around us, so…everybody’s problem is my problem in a sense. Not that any one person can save the world, but I think it’s important to be concerned about what’s going on around us.”
MAYA HART, NORTH CAROLINA COORDINATOR
PRONOUNS: ALL
Maya (they/them pronouns) is a multiracial, Black, queer mama, birth worker and Reproductive Justice organizer based in Durham, North Carolina. Maya graduated in 2020 with their Master’s in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Since becoming a mama, they shifted their birth work to center postpartum support, lactation education and mutual aid. In 2021, Maya started Diapers for Black Durham, a mutual aid fund providing free diapers, wipes and lactation support for Black families across Durham County. They believe that we have the skills, knowledge and experiences to care for our babies, children and families.
AMIR Jones, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
HE/HIM
Amir’s entrance to Reproductive Justice was at SPARK Reproductive Justice now! Volunteering at SPARK helped him see connections between bodily autonomy and his role in allyship to female bodied people and trans feminine folks. He especially appreciates being at SisterSong where he can bring his whole authentic self to work!
Amir proudly still reads a printed newspaper, cherishes nearly all things analog, is a cycling evangelist and enjoys thrifting, and collecting stationary. Amir has a background as a bookseller, staff at OutBack bikes, a licensed Affordable Care Act navigator, and barista. Originally from Southern California, Amir values offering great service and centers accessibility for queer and trans folks of color, in all he does. In his role, as Monica Simpson’s executive assistant, he manages her schedule and aims to help her thrive in her role as SisterSong’s executive director. Deeply intentional about all he does, and a person well suited behind-the-scenes, showing up fully present to make someone’s day better keeps him motivated. When you are in Atlanta you may see him with his tie and suspenders zipping around town on a fixie bicycle.
Amir serves as a deacon a Park Avenue Baptist church where he and his wife have attended since 2018. He is on the board of Georgians for a Healthy Future and a proud dog dad.
SIMRAN SINGH JAIN, MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR
She/Her/HERS
Simran Singh Jain is a queer Desi activist and poet from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, currently setting down roots and building community in Durham, NC where she relocated in 2021. She graduated from Tulane University in New Orleans where she studied Political Science and Gender and Sexuality Studies and served as a sexual violence response team member and consent educator. Before joining Team SisterSong, she worked at the Center for Community Alternatives, an anti-incarceration non-profit based in Syracuse, NY, where she provided violence prevention education and after school programming for youth in the city. Today, Simran is the National Membership Coordinator with SisterSong and aims to expand and grow our Reproductive Justice community and network. Her journey with SisterSong began in 2019 as an intern through the Reproductive Rights Activist Service Corps and she is a practicing abortion doula. Simran believes deeply in the power of art to grow movements and uses poetry as a tool for her activism. Her work has been published by The Academy of American Poets’, BigCityLit, Nine Mile Literary Magazine, The South Asian Sexual and Mental Health Alliance, and you can see her online portfolio. Simran is also an aspiring reality television star and wants to leverage social media to draw attention to RJ and youth empowerment.
Lori Rodiguez, Training Coordinator She/They
Lori is a queer writer, educator, and content creator of indigenous Central American descent. They have worked at the intersection of political organizing and education, art, and media. She has done LGBTQ organizing at the statewide level, has worked in the abortion movement at the local, statewide, and national levels, and is now the education and advocacy coordinator with SisterSong, the national women of color-led reproductive justice collective. She also does content creation for the Leslie-Lohman Museum of Art, the only contemporary art museum in the world dedicated to LGBTQIA+ art and artists. Their written work, largely art and movie reviews and analysis, along with some poetry, has been published by various small presses. She used to work as a bike mechanic and is now an avid motorcyclist and beginner sailor.
Khadijah Austin, DIGITAL STRATEGY MANAGER (ON MATERNITY LEAVE)
SHE/HER
Aura Lindo, Youth Coordinator
THEY/TheM
Aura Lindo is a Queer, Afro-Caribbean organizer and soon-to-be full spectrum doula. Before joining SisterSong Aura received their Bachelors in Anthropology and Gender from University of Central Florida. There they also completed a thesis project highlighting black birth stories as a vessel of intergenerational healing. Though originally introduced to RJ through birth justice, their interests do not stop there. They have a deep commitment to curating spaces of intimate healing, pleasure education and Black liberation. They bring these to their role as Sistersong’s Youth Coordinator as they help build our Youth base in Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina and support young people in their journey to become leaders at SisterSong and the larger RJ movement.
Jalyana Muhammad, ARTIST UNITED FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE Coordinator
THEY/TheM
Jalayna, a native of Milwaukee, WI, embarked on a lifelong journey of community service from childhood. Her unwavering dedication to assisting others and fostering healing inspired her to pursue a degree in Community Education from the University of WI-Milwaukee. Throughout her academic and professional pursuits, Jalayna's passion for supporting and empowering her community remained steadfast.
In 2016, Jalayna founded The Person Next to You (T.P.N.Y), a visionary project dedicated to providing essential healing resources for survivors of sexual assault. Through T.P.N.Y, Jalayna exemplified her deep commitment to creating safe and supportive spaces where survivors could find solace and empowerment.
In 2022, Jalayna embarked on a new chapter in her career journey by joining SisterSong as the Operations and Accounting Coordinator. In this role, she discovered an opportunity to merge her passion for community with the organization's mission. Jalayna is dedicated to leveraging her skills and expertise to support SisterSong’s operations.
SEYI ADEBANJO, ARTIST UNITED FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE Coordinator
THEY/TheM
Seyi Adebanjo is a Queer Gender-Non-Conforming Nigerian artist, healer, facilitator and thought leader. Seyi has over 20 years’ experience working with communities of Color, Queer/LGBTQ community, youth, womxn, immigrants, non-profits on healing justice, culture shift, and institutional health/spirit. Seyi’s art raises awareness around social issues through multi-media video. Seyi's work exists at the intersection of art, imagination, ritual and politics. Seyi is serving on Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) Think Tank -artist grant programs. Seyi was recently awarded a residency with The Laundromat Project, Fatales Forward: Trans Stories Fellowship, NYSCA Individual Artist Grant, received the BRIO Award and 1 of the 8 Exciting Filmmakers Shaking Up Hollywood by IndieWire. Seyi was nominated for the 2020 Art Matters Fellowship.