Article

Lawsuits by more than 13,000 women who have suffered gynecological cancer caused by frequent use of hair relaxer products continue in the federal court multidistrict litigation (or “MDL”). Hundreds of additional women have sued hair relaxer manufacturers in state courts in Illinois, Georgia, and elsewhere. The MDL cases are in the evidence collection stage called…

Los Angeles Fires – Eaton Fire We are keenly aware of the devastating impact of the Eaton Fire, in East Los Angeles, that started on January 7, 2025, and tore through the diverse and historically African American community of Altadena. People of color comprise more than half of Altadena’s population and the neighborhood has a…

Braids are considered “protective styles” as they reduce damage to hair. However, a new study of synthetic hair, often used in braiding, from Consumer Reports found that 100% of the samples of ten popular synthetic braiding hair products contained carcinogens, and nine of the ten samples contained lead, a heavy metal and neurotoxin. Synthetic hair…

Tyler Kyser, a Civil Rights Organizer/Program Manager at Equal Justice Society, presented at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles LEAH (Leadership Education in Adolescent Health) Conference on April 14, 2025, connecting health equity to reparations. The following post is based on the presentation.   When we discuss justice, the need for reparations and healthcare equity are deeply…

Lawsuits by more than 12,700 women who have suffered gynecological cancer caused by frequent use of hair relaxer products continue in the federal court multidistrict litigation (or “MDL”). Hundreds of additional women have sued hair relaxer manufacturers in state courts in Illinois, Georgia, and elsewhere.   The MDL cases are in the evidence collection stage called…

Los Angeles Fires – Eaton Fire   Our thoughts and our hearts go out to our friends, family members, colleagues, and all those affected by the devastating January 2025 wildfires in Los Angeles. We recognize with unceasing gratitude the first responders and community members who worked tirelessly to provide aid and comfort in the affected areas…

A new analysis finds 80% of more than 4,000 beauty products marketed toward Black women contain at least one moderately hazardous ingredient – and most contain multiple, reports Tom Perkins of The Guardian on February 25. From the article: “The analysis follows a 2016 study with similar findings, and the authors suspect the chemical load…

By Desira Brown, Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation Community Organizer, https://www.tndc.org Reproductive health care for incarcerated women, particularly women of color, remains a neglected issue in the U.S. prison system. Unless a woman is pregnant, her health needs are often ignored—and even then, basic prenatal care is not guaranteed.  While women make up only about 10%…