Black Mom Uncensored

Today, we had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, a staunch advocate for Black Maternal Health. 

Dr. Amutah-Onukagha is the Julia A. Okoro Professor of Black Maternal Health in the Department of Public Health and Community Medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her current research interests include maternal health disparities, reproductive health and social justice, infant mortality, and HIV/AIDS in Black women. Dr. Amutah-Onukagha also serves as the inaugural Assistant Dean of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for Public Health and Professional Degree Programs. In 2022 Dr. Amutah-Onukagha founded the Center for Black Maternal Health and Reproductive Justice ( CBMHRJ) at Tufts University School of Medicine and is one of the first centers dedicated nationwide to addressing maternal health inequities.  A well-published author, Dr. Amutah-Onukagha has over 50 manuscripts, 6 book chapters, a best-selling book on Amazon, and a textbook on culturally responsive evaluation. Dr. AO also serves on the board of Dr. Shalon's Maternal Action Project.  Dr. AO was also a friend and mentee of Dr. Shalon Irving.  

Today. we remember Dr. Irving on the 6th anniversary of her passing. 

Dr. AO can be found online at:

IG: @dr.ndidi_ao

Twitter: @PhDiva0618

Today, we’re speaking with Latishia Ambroziak, a mother, a fighter, and a survivor.

Latishia is 39 years old. She has been married for 13 years to Michael, and they have 2 beautiful children. She is currently in the military serving overseas.

Happy New Year!

Today, we’re speaking with Dr. Alexis Dunn Amore, a postpartum care advocate.

Alexis Dunn Amore is a tenure track Assistant Professor at the Emory University School of Nursing and a Certified Nurse Midwife at the Atlanta Birth Center.

Dr. Dunn Amore is committed to advancing the health of those most vulnerable. Her research and service are focused on dismantling perinatal health disparities as well as developing initiatives to address the root causes of maternal mortality. Her work has improved the health of thousands of women through research and clinical practice as well as advocacy efforts on the state and national level. She is a fellow in the American College of Nurse Midwives and the American Academy of Nursing in which she actively serves on several committees. She is passionate about the community and works in collaboration with Georgia community organizations to develop timely and innovative strategies to address disparities in health outcomes for black women during pregnancy, as well as initiatives to build social support and resilience in the birth community.

She can be found online at:

IG: @amoremidwiferyconsulting, @lexithemidwife

Today, we're speaking with Ti'Ara Walpool, a survivor and truthteller.

Ti’ara is a newly single mom going through a divorce. She is from Dallas with deep roots in Shreveport. She grew up without her parents and earned an athletic scholarship to college. She competed for Team USA Jr team and multiple Olympic & USA championships. Now she coaches and teaches high school ethnic studies and leadership classes.

She can be found online at @fit.by.ti

Today, we are honored to be speaking with Kate Stenzinger and Angela Glyder, advocates for the use of data to reduce health inequities. 

Angela Glyder, RN is a clinical leader and bringing decades of experience with labor and delivery along with maternity care management.

Kate Stenzinger is a product leader and brings several years of experience in the Medicaid space, working toward better care for the most vulnerable women.

Both of our guests today work at Lucina Analytics

Lucina Analytics is a data-driven, enterprise SaaS company that delivers the leading women’s maternity analytics platform to innovative health plans, providers, and public entities.

You can connect with them online through LinkedIn and learn more about Lucina Analytics at https://lucina.com/

Today, we're honored to be speaking with Cassandra Hill, an advocate, survivor, and holistic health practitioner.

Cassandra Hill is a patient turned powerhouse who hopes to travel the world to administer holistic health knowledge and treatment.  After being diagnosed with Systemic Lupus and other autoimmune conditions in 2014, Hill gained the determination to overcome the illness in her body. Today, Cassandra Hill is certified as a Holistic Health Practitioner and Wellness coach.  She is a firm believer that our life's lessons are designed for us to learn and teach others.

She can be found online at:

cassandrarhill.com

IG: live.healthyforlife

Welcome back!

Today, we’re speaking with Sade' Johnson, a doula, an advocate, and a survivor.

Sade’ Johnson. Mother of 3 14,9, and 5. She has lupus, so it has been complicated for her to carry. She has been a certified Doula for almost 3 years. She has always been into natural and holistic birthing. With her 5 year old and her almost dying due to doctors not listening to her, she decided to become a doula so she could advocate for those who can’t always advocate for themselves.

She can be found online at:

FB: Sade’ Eva DAndra

TikTok: RebelliousEnigma8888

IG: AutumnReignHolisticCare

Today, we are honored to speak with Dr. Quantrilla Ard, an author, literary agent, and change agent.

Dr. Ard has a multidisciplinary background in public health and health psychology, both professions that speak to her desire to prevent suffering at the physical and emotional levels. She advocates for eliminating health disparities, particularly in Black maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, utilizing her doctoral research and expertise to educate others on this topic. Her heart can be seen and heard through her social media posts, live broadcasts, podcast interviews, and articles to empower Black mamas on their health and safety. She also aims to draw awareness to majority audiences on this topic; to encourage allyship and advocacy from women who are not disproportionately affected. Dr. Quanny hopes that her work will ultimately deconstruct systemic and widespread racism in the medical field, specifically for Black and Brown mamas and babies.

She can be found online at https://www.thephdmamma.com/

Twitter: @qyard08 

We’re deep in Season 2, featuring a deep dive into policy, mental health, and postpartum care.  I am your host, Dr. Rahmatu Kassimu, and today, we’re speaking with Dr. Brittanie Hazzard Bigby, a doctor, advocate, and educator.  

Dr. Hazzard Bigby (HB) is an Obstetrician and Gynecology resident. She graduated from Baylor University with a Bachelors in Education and The University of Texas Health Science Center-Houston with a Masters in Public Health with an emphasis on Maternal and Child Health. In 2021 she graduated with her medical degree from The University of Medicine and Health Sciences-Saint Kitts. Her clinical interests include reproductive justice, reproductive health and wellness, sexual health education and empowerment across the lifespan, and perinatal maternal mental health. In her free time she enjoys the fine arts and is currently learning to play the saxophone.

On today's episode, Dr. HB discusses what you can expect during postpartum as well as tips and tricks to make the transition easier.

She can be found online @46_HBMD

Today, we’re honored to be speaking with Dr. Dretona Maddox, an advocate, survivor, and motivator.  Dr. Maddox discusses the hidden figures of the Black Maternal Health Crisis, adolescent mothers.  Often, when we think of maternal health, birth equity, and reproductive rights, we think of these issues from an adult lens.  However, Black birthing teens experience many of the same issues when seeking reproductive care that adults do and thus deserve consideration and action. 

Dr. Dretona T. Maddox, DSW, BSN, RN-PHN, LCSW, is an associate professor of social work in the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (CBSS) at California Baptist University. She is a suicide loss survivor who endured homelessness as a teen. Dr. Maddox overcame adversity, earning her bachelor of science in nursing from the University of Phoenix, her master of social work from the University of Southern California, and her Doctorate of Social Work from California Baptist University, where she studied barriers to health equity in maternal health for pregnant Black teens. Her current research interests focus on Black Adolescent Maternal Health. Dr. Maddox is the founding executive director of Purposely Chosen, Inc. This non-profit organization provides support and advocacy services to pregnant/parenting teens in foster care, and this organization includes two maternity homes in Southern California.

She can be found online @drdretonamaddox

https://purposelychosen.org/

On this final episode of Season 1, we sat down with Deloris Johnson to discuss life after death and the ways that you can grow around your grief.

Tune in for a heartfelt journey littered with gems!

This week we had the honor of speaking with Rochelle Terrell, who details one of the biggest risk factors for Black Maternal Mortality and Morbidity.  Listen in to spot the warning signs and be better equipped for yourself and your loved ones.

This week, ahead of Grandparents' Day, we're honoring the wisdom and knowledge of our elders.  This week, we spoke with Bette Byerly, a grandmother, and advocate for Black Maternal Health.  Tune in and hear her drop gems of wisdom as she tells her story!

On today's episode of Black Mom Uncensored, we are honored to have Dr. Natalie Hernandez discussing the urgent signs and risk factors that birthing people need to be aware of to ensure that they are healthy on their birthing journeys and beyond.

Dr. Hernandez is an Associate Professor in the Department of Community Health and Preventive Medicine and the Executive Director of the Center for Maternal Health Equity at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Hernandez received her Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from Stony Brook University in New York and a Master of Public Health from Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health. She earned her Ph.D. in public health and a graduate certificate in interdisciplinary women’s health from the University of South Florida.

Dr. Hernandez’s research experiences and contributions to science have been dedicated to rigorous methodology using community engagement approaches to advance health equity through research and practice. She has more than 17 years of experience developing community partnerships and implementing population health that engages diverse stakeholder groups, including health care providers, patient populations, organizational leaders, and policymakers. She also has expertise in conducting robust qualitative research using various research methods. Her current research and research interests include transdisciplinary approaches to improving women’s health, reproductive health, sexually transmitted infections, health disparities, community-based participatory research, and reproductive social justice.

Dr. Hernandez currently sits on Georgia’s Maternal Mortality Review Committee, Georgia PRAMS Steering Committee, Georgia Improving Postpartum Care Affinity Group, and various maternal and child health organizations, including Postpartum Support International-Georgia Chapter Advocacy Group and Georgia Maternal Health Stakeholder Group. She also sits on national organizations, including the American Public Health Association Committee on Health Equity, the Health Disparities Taskforce of the National Preeclampsia Foundation, and many others. Dr. Hernandez has presented her work at various international, national, state, and local conferences.

Tune in and listen to the gems and tips she drops!

In today's episode, we're continuing Black Maternal Morbidity Month by speaking with Aisha Ford, an educator, lactation counselor, and advocate.

Aisha is a registered dietitian, nutritionist, diabetes educator, and certified lactation counselor. Her practice background is in public health and community nutrition. Aisha has worked for over 15 years planning, implementing, and evaluating programs that impact underserved populations. A believer in the power of knowledge, her philosophy is to empower her clients by providing the resources and information they need to overcome racial, socioeconomic, sexual orientation, cultural, and linguistic barriers to accessing public health care and social services.

She provides several actionable tips as well as resources to those who'd like more information on breastfeeding and how it can reduce risks of Black Maternal Morbidity.  We are honored to have us with us today.

Welcome back!

This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Noelle Acosta who shared with us the importance of Holistic Reproductive Healthcare.

Noelle is the Co-Founder & CEO of Noula Health, a digital health company that provides personalized reproductive health care for women and birthing people via at-home precision health testing and 1-on-1 virtual support from experts. Prior to Noula, Noelle has helped lead and scale sales and business development teams at multiple startups in the Bay Area and New York City. Noelle is also a certified birth doula and passionate about accessible, equitable healthcare for all.

She can be found online at @NoulaHealth and @NoelleAcoss

We are honored to have her sharing her wisdom with us today.

Today's episode features a conversation with Dr. Charity Sneed-Watkins about her birthing journey and beyond. She is a mother, a researcher, advocate, and a survivor.

Charity S. Watkins, PhD, MSW, LCSW-A, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Social Work at North Carolina Central University after

completing her PhD in Social Work at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Dr. Watkins’s dissertation research focused on differentiating the effects of racial bias and socioeconomic inequities on parenting factors and the academic achievement of Black children in elementary school to identify factors that mediate and moderate academic resilience. Dr. Watkins has expanded her research to include Black maternal health, social determinants of health, and the mental health of Black helping professionals. 

She can be found online @drcswatkins!

Today's episode kicks off Dr. Shalon's Maternal Action Project's Black Maternal Morbidity.  We know that Black women and birthing people are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience poor birthing outcomes when compared to their racial/ethnic counterparts.  Often, we focus on those who have transitioned too soon after childbirth due to health inequalities and systematic racism but what about the Near Misses? The Almosts? Those who have had their lives forever impacted after childbirth and are now navigating life forever changed?  This August, we're honoring those women and birthing people during DSMAP’s Black Maternal Morbidity Month.

Today, we're speaking with Shawnise Chantell, a mother, a writer, and a survivor. Arkansas native, Shawnise Chantell, was born in 1985 from the union of her father, Willie Powell, and mother, Kathy Stewart. The mother of three amazing daughters appreciates her upbringing. Staying true to her lioness personality traits and cultural essence has always propelled Shawnise to be a warrior, work hard, and persevere through life’s challenges and crises. Shawnise has always had a big heart and is naturally gifted to service and care for others. After witnessing her mother’s younger sibling dying at age sixteen from terminal cancer, she felt called to care for others which led to a thriving career in healthcare. Her postpartum experience was harrowing, inspiring her to write her book, "God Within the Lily," to help others.  

She can be found on all socials @authorshawnisechantell

We are honored to have her with us today!

In today's episode, we had the pleasure of speaking with Jasmine Bush who discusses the importance of advocating for yourself, particularly when you have a high-risk pregnancy. 

Jasmine Bush is a Xavier University Doctoral Student, a University of Georgia Alumna, a new small business owner, a professional nanny, and tutor, and mother of one 1-yr-old son, and currently has a pair of twins on the way. She is an Atlanta transplant who made her way back to the Atlanta area after living in New Orleans, Louisiana for four years. Jasmine has a true love and passion for children and teaching. She is a twenty-seven-year-old, God-fearing woman who has overcome a magnitude of health issues, and who is an advocate for all things Black!

She can be found on Instagram @Ms.Bush.

We were honored to speak with her!

Today's episode features a discussion championing the importance of your voice with Atiyya Joseph. Atiyya was born and raised in Chicago. She studied at North Park University, obtaining her bachelor's in Communication Arts. She spent her early 20s traveling and studying cultures around the country and the world.

Of all the places she had been and people she met; nothing trumped the experience of becoming a Mother. She was blessed to have an amazing labor experience where she had the support and coaching of a Doula and Midwifery team. While she was over the moon about her own experience, she quickly realized that an amazing birth without trauma was rare amongst women and especially those who looked like her.

Instead of accepting that this was a norm, she vowed to be a part of the change. The be for others, what her Doula was to her. A friend, an advocate, and a strong support system. During the pandemic, she made a decision that would become certified and join God’s army of Birth Workers.

She now runs her business “A Brave Birth Doula” where she serves the Dallas Metroplex area and occasionally her hometown. Atiyya is passionate and dedicated to helping families to have the birth that they desire and they deserve.

She can be found on IG at @ABraveBirthDoula

We are honored to have her here today!

In today's episode, we have the privilege of speaking with Toi McClendon.  Toi is a Texas native living in Atlanta with her husband and three little boys she birthed at home.  After stumbling through postpartum with varying degrees of difficulty, she created Somebody’s Baby- A postpartum boutique. A resource for families. Somebody’s Baby helps mothers reclaim the ancient wisdom and customs practiced by birthing women worldwide, wherein space and support to heal from birth and begin to discover themselves as mothers are freely and promptly given. She longs for the postpartum narrative to evolve from a recollection of traumatic learning curves to inspirational and cathartic memories. Toi is an activist, an advocate, and an educator, and we are honored to have her here today.

On today's episode, we honor the life and legacy of Shamony Gibson, who transitioned shortly after the birth of her son. Shamony was a light and advocate in her community and her work has been continued by her partner, Mr. Omari Maynard who has utilized art to process his grief and provide safe spaces for others to process.  We are honored to have Mr. Maynard as a guest as he shares his journey through Fatherhood after Maternal Crisis and provides us with glimpses into the upcoming documentary, Aftershock.

For more information about Shamony and the Aftershock documentary, please see https://www.aftershockdocumentary.com/

Join us to learn more about Dr. Shalon MauRene Irving from her mother, Ms. Wanda Irving. Dr.Shalon was an epidemiologist with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and lieutenant commander in the US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, who dedicated her life to understanding how structural racism, intersectionality, trauma, and violence influence health disparities over a lifetime. On January 28, 2017, Dr. Shalon Irving passed away from complications after giving birth to her daughter, Soleil. We believe that her death was preventable. Her passion for justice and trailblazing work in community health is what inspires us to fight. 

Powered by Dr. Shalon's Materal Action Project.

On today's episode, we honor the life and legacy of Mrs. Yolanda Kadima, who transitioned on July 27th, 2020 due to complications from a questionable routine procedure. Yolanda or "Shiphrah" as she is known in her community, was an IBCLC, a doula, and an aspiring traditional midwife. We are honored to have Mr. Armand Kadima, the husband of Mrs. Yolanda Kadima, joining us to share their story. 

For more information, about the beautiful life and legacy of Yolanda Kadima, please visit yolandakadima.com