Afiya Center celebrates 15 years of service
Marsha Jones Marsha Jones heads Texas’ only Black-led reproductive justice organization DAVID TAFFET | Senior Staff Writer taffet@dallasvoice.com Marsha Jones founded and continues to head the “only Black-led, unapologetically Black-womxn centered” reproductive justice organization in Texas.
And she makes it clear that her organization’s outreach includes welcoming the lesbian community and Black trans women. “It’s been a ride,” Jones said of the 15 years since founding the organization. “It’s been quite exciting.” The Afiya Center addresses reproductive health disparities including access to healthcare, reproductive coercion and the high maternal mortality rate among Black women in Texas compared to the population in general.
A study found that, after 2010, the “reported maternal mortality rate for Texas doubled within a two-year period to levels not seen in other U.S.
states.” …………………. CELEBRATING 15 YEARS The Afiya Center, located at 4373 S. Hampton Road, marks 15 years of service with a gala at Gilley’s Dallas, 1135 Botham Jean Blvd., from 6-10 p.m.
