Watch our founder, Paola Mathé, sit down with the Executive Director of Black Mamas ATX, Kelenne Blake-Fallon, to discuss the organization and its impact, her creativity, and making things happen, even when it seems impossible. She is on track to get her PhD from Johns Hopkins in Healthy Equity and Social Justice, and intends to use her education to further Black Mamas ATX and its mission to support Black mothers before, during, and after pregnancy. 

 Did you know? Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. Several elements play a role in this disparity, including variations in quality of healthcare, underlying conditions, structural racism, and implicit bias. The existence of social determinants of health create barriers for individuals in racial and ethnic minority communities, hindering their access to equitable opportunities for economic, physical, and emotional well-being.

 Black Mamas ATX has successfully helped to deliver 150 babies, but there is much work to be done to close the disparity. By providing free doula services, mental health care, support groups, postpartum care for one year, as well as educating and advocating, they are saving the lives of Black mothers.

 Learn more about Black Mamas ATX.

 What is Wrap It Wednesday?

Wrap It Wednesday is a monthly live and recorded conversation hosted at our storefront in Austin, TX, highlighting inspiring women from our community and the work that they do.⁠ All our Wrap It Wednesday conversations will be filmed and uploaded to YouTube. Subscribe here so you don’t miss an episode!