Sister Souurce Media

08/01/2026

Henrietta Lacks was born in Roanoke, Virginia in 1920. She is famed for her “immortal” HeLa cells, the most important cell lines in medical history.

At thirty-one years old, Lacks died of cervical cancer. Upon her death, doctors discovered that cells from her body lived long lives and reproduced indefinitely in petri dishes. These “immortal” HeLa cells have since contributed to over 10,000 medical patents relating to polio, AIDS, Parkinson’s disease, and other conditions.

Considering the history of medical testing on African Americans without their permission, the fate of Lacks raises questions about ethics, privacy and race. This sentiment is reflected in the visual elements of this portrait painted by Kadir Nelson. The wallpaper features the “Flower of Life,” a symbol of immortality; the flowers on her dress recall images of cell structures; and two missing buttons from her dress allude to the cells taken from her body without permission.
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🖼: “Henrietta Lacks (HeLa): The Mother of Modern Medicine” (detail) by Kadir Nelson, 2017. Collection of the National Portrait Gallery and . Gift from Kadir Nelson and the JKBN Group, LLC. © 2017 Kadir Nelson

07/29/2026

07/24/2026

"Rev. Crystal here! I am so thrilled to announce our workshop at DRUUMM’s Beloved Gathering, Altars for Liberation: Sojourning with our Ancestars. It will help our bipoc beloveds return to their wisdom and center of self in the universe. This will also be an incredible time for an attentive audience to learn about the Sister Souurce “Ancestar Altar” in our extensive ResoUUrce Library, built by our founders. It is really important that I am able to show up, fully focus (and fully funded, Spirit-willing)..." [ keep reading ]

https://givebutter.com/help-us-answer-the-call-to-druumms-beloved-gathering-vibjjc

07/22/2026

Our sons are gone
Director's Reflection by Rev. Crystal

I have struggled with a reflection this month. What do you say when the grief keeps rolling in? Our sons are gone. Nolan Wells is gone because he needed recreation and went on a boating trip. Kohen Wiley is gone because he needed diapers.

The collective grief of the Black community is palpable in our daily lives. We talk about it on the phone. We send posts about it on social media. It was more than a headline for us. We are walking around in our daily lives carrying the weight of their mothers, and sometimes I wonder if anyone else cares? Do other mothers care? Do allies care? I am sure they do, but it's just the weight that grief brings. You eat breakfast, gas up the car, and try to smile as you pass people by but you are begging inside for someone to stop you ask, can I carry that?

And I don’t know if you can, beloved, but you can certainly try.
If you are an ally, you can certainly try.

Rev. Crystal Saiyge

07/15/2026

You will be seeing a special someone there if you come…. (Rev. Crystal )!

There are moments when we need to step away from the daily demands of the work and return to what sustains us. 🌿🌀 Beloved Gathering: DRUUMM National Conference 2026 is one of those moments.

September 17–20, BIPOC Unitarian Universalists will gather in Kansas City for worship, learning, care, connection, and community. 🕯️🌈 Come as you are. Come with your questions. Come ready to be held and strengthened.

🤲🏾 Learn more about the conference, program, and common questions at druumm.org/beloved. Early Bird registration closes July 17.

07/15/2026

Happy International Non‑Binary People’s Day!

Today we celebrate the non‑binary people who make our communities brighter, stronger, and more compassionate.

Whether you identify as non‑binary, genderqueer, genderfluid, or outside the binary in any way — your identity is valid, your voice matters, and your presence makes a difference.

Let’s keep uplifting non‑binary stories, advocating for safety and inclusion, and creating spaces where everyone can live as their full selves.

💛🤍💜🖤 Sending love to all non‑binary friends, family, and community members today and every day.

07/14/2026

Last 5 minutes !!!! Rev. Crystal Saiyge

07/14/2026

An altar today for E!!!!!!

To see their bio on our ancestar page please check out sistersouurce.org/ancestar

Today, on Elandria “E” Williams’s birthday, DRUUMM remembers a steadfast leader who grew through our youth and young adult of color ministries and became a mighty force for justice, dignity, and liberation.

E died on September 23, 2020, far too soon. Yet the truth E carried still calls us forward: “I am deserving of a 100% radical love, care and worthiness. And I will accept nothing less.”

We remember E with deep gratitude. We honor E by keeping our feet planted, our hearts open, and our people moving toward freedom. Happy birthday, E. Your life still teaches us. Your courage still strengthens us. Your love still lives among us.

You can learn more about E and others we remember at druumm.org/about-us/in-memoriam. We also welcome you to share a memory, reflection, or word of love in the comments, whenever it feels right.

07/14/2026

3.5 hours left in our 24 hour Prayerathon for Delaney Hall- Maine, you’re on our altar tonight 💕

Catch us here :

https://www.youtube.com/live/UFWDq94ArLU?si=0_8Ea0VjDwsfrCGG