Da Brat and her wife, Jesseca “Judy” Dupart, faced difficulties finding a suitable black sperm donor for their first child. They ultimately chose a non-Black donor due to the shortage of available Black donors. This is not an isolated incident, as sperm banks report a severe lack of Black donors. This story explores why this shortage exists and its impact on Black families seeking to have Black fathers for their children.

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According to The Washington Post, only 2% of sperm from the four largest sperm banks are from Black donors. In contrast, Asian donors account for 30%, and Hispanics account for 8%. This shortage is due to various factors, including discrimination by sperm banks, a lack of trust in the medical community, and the selection process.

The Tuskegee Experiment, a 40-year study in which Black men were denied treatment for syphilis without their knowledge, has created a lasting distrust of the medical community among Black men. This distrust extends to sperm banks and donation processes.

The selection process for sperm donors requires three generations of medical history, which most Black families do not have. Additionally, sperm banks tend to recruit donors from places where Black men are absent, such as Ivy League colleges and universities. 

This leads to discrimination against potential Black donors, as donors with blue eyes and an Ivy League education are more in demand.

Black men who donate their sperm help alleviate the shortage and receive financial compensation. Donors can earn up to $1,500 per month, and resources like the Facebook group Black Sperm Donors for Black People TTC are available for donors and recipients to connect and engage.

The Phoenix Sperm Bank pays donors $100 per donation, possibly earning up to $1,500 per month for healthy men.

The shortage of Black sperm donors is a significant issue for Black families seeking to have Black fathers for their children. The distrust of the medical community and discrimination by sperm banks are contributing factors to this shortage. 

However, resources and financial incentives exist for Black men who want to donate sperm. Raising awareness about this issue can help alleviate the shortage and provide resources for Black families seeking to start or grow their families.

While Da Brat and Judy struggled to find a Black sperm donor, Nick Cannon and NBA YoungBoy have fathered numerous children. Nick Cannon has 12 children, while NBA Young Boy reportedly had two women pregnant at the same time in January 2023. 

These men demonstrate the contrast between the difficulty that Black women face in finding Black sperm donors and the prolific procreation of some Black men.