Assisted conception is a growing part of the maternal landscape. Whether it is a need because of infertility or a choice to parent independently, utilizing cryobanks (sperm banks) is no longer a taboo topic. Cryobanks and clinics are not required to report birth figures; however, CNN reports that since 2018 “roughly 30,000 to 60,000” babies have been born annually by artificial insemination. Within the last few years, clinics have seen more Black women as patients. But, unfortunately, they can’t say the same for Black donors. There are 41 cryobanks located in the United States. California Cryobank, Fairfax Cryobank, Seattle Sperm Bank, and Xytex are the largest, with more than 100 donors each. In 2022, The Washington Post found that “fewer than 2 percent” of their sperm supply was from Black donors — less than 12 out of 748. These disproportionate numbers have led Black women to choose donors outside of their race. Or give up on their quest to have a child. One would think...
