Where it all began
Scholarship and passion
As a graduate student at UCLA, Megan Ebor was determined to expand the traditional role of social work. By merging science and the arts, she worked alongside community members to develop culturally affirming health promotion strategies, aiming to create lasting change in health equity, accessible resources, and education for aging Black women.
Embracing difficult conversations centered on sexual health, she broke barriers by addressing issues that others may deem taboo. Through this approach, she uncovered a daunting reality: the sexual health of older adults, and more specifically aging Black women, is often overlooked by providers who may believe that older adults are not sexually active.
Her research revealed that older adults, including aging women, remain sexually active and vulnerable to HIV and STIs. Unfortunately, they are often underexamined, underdiagnosed, and undertreated by providers.
It was more than research, it was personal
Lived experience birthed a purpose
Megan was well-acquainted with the devastating impact of health inequity on quality of life. Her great aunt, a respected family matriarch, experienced significant cognitive decline but had her concerns dismissed by medical professionals, who attributed her symptoms to aging, rather than addressing the underlying issues.
Unbeknownst to her great aunt, an untreated STI had silently spread to her brain, and over decades, led to significant decline in her quality of life. This tragic outcome fueled Megan’s determination to empower aging Black women with the knowledge and tools needed to advocate for their own sexual health and well-being.
Her personal experience, combined with data, inspired her to humanize her research through film. By sharing authentic stories of women sexual health these films make complex science relatable, engaging, and accessible, reflecting a “for us, by us” approach that amplifies community voices, acknowledges their expertise, and meets them where they want to be met.
These films have proven to be powerful catalysts for reshaping conversations and sparking community engagement around topics that have long been considered taboo.
