KINGSTON, Jamaica — In the lead-up to World Menopause Day on October 18, MPower, a Jamaican women-led advocacy group will host “MPower Yourself”, an empowering evening of education, storytelling, and community connection for women navigating the perimenopause and menopause transition.

The event will take place on Saturday, October 11 at 5:30 PM at the Scotiabank Corporate Learning Centre, 4 Arcadia Boulevard, Kingston 8.

The evening’s centrepiece is the screening of the internationally-acclaimed documentary The M Factor. Through deeply personal stories and expert medical insight, the film tackles the often-ignored physical, emotional, and professional challenges women face during menopause including hot flashes, anxiety, weight changes, and workplace stigma. The film features expert commentary from Dr Sharon Malone, Dr Mary Jane Minkin (Yale), Dr. Wen Shen (Johns Hopkins), and Dr Stephanie Faubion (Mayo Clinic and The Menopause Society). It directly addresses how women of colour uniquely experience menopause.

“This is not just a film screening, it’s a turning point for women in Jamaica,” says Sacha Chung, occupational therapist and MPower co-creator. “We want women to feel seen, informed, and confident in speaking about their health and demanding the support they deserve at home, in the workplace, and in healthcare settings.”

Following the screening, attendees will participate in a live Q&A session with a panel of expert women’s health specialists, each bringing years of knowledge and culturally relevant insight. Dr Kudzai Dombo, a U.S.-based OB-GYN and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner, will address the distinct ways menopause presents in women of colour. Dr Dainia Baugh, President of the Heart Institute of the Caribbean, will explore the critical link between menopause and cardiovascular health, while Dr Michelle Bailey, reproductive health specialist at the Hugh Wynter Fertility Management Unit, will highlight how to protect sexual and reproductive wellness through midlife and beyond.

“Midlife women are the backbone of our homes, businesses, and communities yet many suffer in silence,” said Jodi Mair, fitness professional and MPower co-founder. “This event is about breaking that silence and helping women feel empowered to take control of their health and wellbeing.”

MPolwer is committed to reshaping the menopause conversation across the Caribbean. It was created by Sacha Chung, Jodi Mair, and entrepreneurs Elena Diedrick-Lynch and Leisha Wong, co-directors of Elle Creative. As a team, they bring expertise in wellness, advocacy, and storytelling, all driven by a shared passion of creating space for women to be informed, supported, and heard. “We wanted to change the narrative and stop treating menopause as something shameful or taboo,” Diedrick-Lynch explained.

“MPower is about using education and storytelling to make menopause a topic of conversation and not confusion. “We’re building a community. One where women know they’re not alone, and where their health is taken seriously no matter their age,” Wong added.

MPower Yourself is sponsored by Chop’d, WATA, Pure Country Juices, Select Brands, Viva Events JA, The Perfect Host and Forget the Fork, companies which share a commitment to holistic wellness and women’s empowerment.

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odi Mair, a fitness professional and advocate and MPower co

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