Her Body Was Not Yours to Take: The Legacy of Henrietta Lacks (with Alfred Lacks-Carter, Jr.)

On The Issues With Michele Goodwin

Happy Juneteenth! In this episode, we commemorate Juneteenth with a special focus on Henrietta Lacks, and an exclusive interview with her grandson Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr. From the polio vaccine to IVF and COVID-19 vaccines, we owe so many of our medical developments from the past 50 years to one woman—a woman whose cells were taken and used without her permission, let alone compensation. In this riveting episode, Lacks Carter shares an intimate family portrait of his grandmother, turning pain into purpose.

Joining us in this Juneteenth commemoration is a very special guest:

Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr.: Alfred Lacks Carter, Jr. is the grandson of Henrietta Lacks and the son of her second daughter Deborah Lacks. Alfred is the Founder and President of the Henrietta Lacks House of Healing, a non-profit dedicated to providing transitional housing for men in order to combat homelessness and recidivism as well as re-entry into the community after recent release. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the Lacks family-led HELA100: Henrietta Lacks Initiative, and as a World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Cervical Cancer Elimination.

Check out this episode’s landing page at MsMagazine.com for a full transcript, links to articles referenced in this episode, further reading and ways to take action.

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