Active Allyship...it's more than a #hashtag!"

EP #43: Black Maternal Health Disparities with Kimberly Seals Allers

April 28, 2021 Sunni Dayz & Lisa Davis, MPH
Active Allyship...it's more than a #hashtag!"
EP #43: Black Maternal Health Disparities with Kimberly Seals Allers
Show Notes

On the Did you know Segment… Sunni and Lisa discuss the harm of white women showing up and attempting to “own” spaces filled with trauma stricken Black and Brown people. It is an imperative for white women to show up to support and hold space for people of color… also using their privilege for purpose.  Understanding your role is critical to the survival of your well intentioned efforts.  The ladies also discuss Jane Elliott’s “Blue Eyes, Brown Eyes” exercise with her students.  Jane is a legacy and leader in spaces influenced by racism, providing many unpopular anecdotes.  


On this episode of Active Allyship…it’s more than a #hashtag! Sunni and Lisa converse with Kimberly Seals Allers an award-winning journalist and author turned global maternal and infant health advocate. Kimberly's own motherhood journey inspired her to pivot her creative focus and analytical mind to writing about motherhood and the intersection of race, culture, policy and commercial interests. 


She was marinated in her Dad’s Jim Crow experiences based on his journey through this era in the South.  Her work ethic comes from an expectation that she has to over achieve and her awareness of privilege in her spaces… very interesting marination.


Recently, Kimberly launched her podcast, Birthright and also launched Irth, as in "birth" but without the "b" for bias. Irth, also launched last week, is a new (Yelp-like) digital platform where Black and brown women (and their partners) can get real-time ratings for their OB/GYN, hospitals, and pediatricians.


This conversation is very intense, eye-opening and disheartening at the same time.  The disparity in medical treatment and experiences in hospitalization with black and brown people needs extreme improvements… what about an overhaul?  O wait, what are your thoughts on mid-wifery or doulas to assist with the birthing process?  Yup, this is discussed too!


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