Hundreds of Black women from across the country gathered in Midtown Atlanta last month for the sixth annual Wellness Week(end), a powerful and restorative event organized by We Are ILL.
The national nonprofit organization is dedicated to supporting Black women living with autoimmune conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).
Held November 7–9, 2025, at the Renaissance Atlanta Midtown Hotel, this year’s gathering carried the theme “In Pursuit of Joy” — a bold reminder that joy remains essential, even amid the daily challenges of chronic illness.
The weekend offered a much-needed space for education, deep connection, and empowerment in a healthcare landscape that often overlooks the unique experiences of Black women.
Attendees participated in panel discussions exploring the realities of living with chronic illness in Black communities, intimate support groups, adaptive fitness sessions, and a joyful celebratory happy hour.
The event was led by Victoria Reese Brathwaite, Founder and President of We Are ILL, alongside Emmy Award-winning 11Alive news anchor Aisha Howard. Actress Ashley Blaine Featherson-Jenkins delivered inspiring opening remarks to set the tone for the weekend.
“‘In Pursuit of Joy’ is how we fight back and breathe easier,” said Reese Brathwaite. “Black women living with MS, lupus, and NMOSD are carrying heavy medical, financial, and emotional loads in a climate that often overlooks our pain and our power. Wellness Week(end) gives us tools, community, and permission to feel good again. We learn, we laugh, we rest — and we leave more connected and more confident.”
She added, “Every year, Wellness Week(end) reminds me why We Are ILL exists. This isn’t just an event — it’s a lifeline, a soft place to land, and proof that we deserve spaces designed with our joy and wellness at the center.”
Board-certified neurologist Dr. Jakai Nolan McEwen, a featured panelist, highlighted the cultural resonance of the programming: “The learning that happens here is different because it’s rooted in our lived experience. We’re talking about what it means to wake up in these bodies every day. The education delivered was affirming, accessible, and actionable — and that combination is non-negotiable.”
The weekend featured a distinguished lineup of speakers, clinicians, and advocates, including Dr. Annette Okai, Dr. Nicole Garner Scott, Dr. Mia Cowan, Goody Howard, Mia Keeys, Dr. Mima Akinsanya, The CommUnity ATL, and many others who led conversations on healthcare navigation, mental health, financial wellness, and holistic healing.
The event received support from major sponsors, including gold-level partners Biogen, EMD Serono, and Novartis, as well as silver sponsors Sanofi, Genentech, AbbVie, and Alexion.
For more information about We Are ILL and its ongoing mission to reshape healthcare experiences for Black women with autoimmune diseases, visit their website or follow their updates on social media.