Shawnee talks about the death of her eldest daughter due to maternal mortality, her journey through trauma and grief, as well as, her unshakeable commitment to reproductive justice, advocacy and activism. Her talk addresses the power and impact of words and the role that they can play in transforming reproductive outcomes for Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) in the United States and abroad. Shawnee offers a raw, inspiring and "in your face" message about the responsibility that everyone has to STEP UP and SPEAK UP to ensure that systemic racism and oppression do not destroy black lives. Shawnee is a master teacher, trainer, healer, vision coach, performance artist, inspirational speaker, officiant, mother and friend. Shawnee Benton Gibson, LMSW / FDLC, is the Co-Founder and CEO of Spirit of A Woman (S.O.W.) Leadership Development Institute, an organization designed to educate, elevate and effect positive and sustainable transformation in the lives of individuals, groups, families and communities. Ms. Benton Gibson is a graduate of New York University’s Silver School of Social Work and is a licensed practitioner with over 28 years of experience in the areas of substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery, adolescent development, individual, family and group counseling, women’s health, birth equity, social justice, grief, loss, bereavement and trauma. Her tools include spiritual counseling, coaching, writing, sacred rituals, psychodrama, sociometry, energy work, the performing arts and storytelling as mediums to ignite transformation and initiate catharsis. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at
https://www.ted.com/tedx