Fall 2021 Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Community:
It feels good to reconnect with you again. As we prepare to officially close out summer 2021 and welcome fall, I am thinking about what it means to achieve milestones such as the restart of in-person learning for students and families amidst a lot of heaviness in our communities and in the world because of a surge in COVID-19 infections, international conflicts and devastating natural disasters like the wildfires in Northern California and the earthquake in Haiti.
I hope that this fall is a season of individual and collective healing and self-care because it’s necessary. Self-care has become cliche and so it’s important that as individuals, organizations and businesses, we practice it and demonstrate grace. Our school families will need to put emotional work and wellness upfront so that we collectively do what is best for students. As you will read through this newsletter, wellness communities are front and center at BBK with the launch of CoCo Doulas, our birthing wellness program for Black mothers and birthing people.
As always, if you have any questions or just want to say hello, please send me an email at slane@bbk-richmond.org or give me a call at 510-232-5812 x404.
As always, if you have any questions, please send me an email at slane@bbk-richmond.org or give me a call at 510-230-5812.
In Community,
Sheryl Lane
Executive Director
On the Front Lines of Maternal and Birthing Care, Wellness and Justice
Join BBK in congratulating our first cohort of CoCo Doulas graduates. Thirteen women graduated from our community-based doula training program at the end of July after completing 12 weeks and 80 hours of training. These graduates are now prepared to provide doula services to mothers and birthing families throughout Contra Costa County. BBK will continue guiding these doulas as they embark on this new healing career path. We will host four of the graduates at BBK as Doula Fellows to provide free doula care to Black birthing families in Contra Costa County. Look out for more information about how to receive free doula care from our Fellows and how to connect with our doula graduates.
Special thanks to Health Connect One, Contra Costa County Health Services and a community of health and wellness practitioners who collectively are at the forefront of reducing disparities in healthy births for Black moms, birthing people and babies in Contra Costa County.
Want more information about CoCo Doulas? Contact Lauren McCollins, BBK’s Community-Based Doula Program Manager at lmccollins@bbk-richmond.org.
What’s a Community-Based Doula?
A trained professional who is a trusted member of the community they serve and provides culturally sensitive physical, emotional and informational support to a mother before, during and shortly after childbirth to help birthing families achieve the healthiest, most satisfying experience possible.
BBK Summer 2021 Rewind
We haven’t had a “normal” summer in well over a year which is why it was important for BBK to bring lightness and joy to youth in summer 2021. During the months of June and July, we hosted virtual activities five days a week which included Zumba, boxing classes, arts and crafts activities, mindfulness, and storytimes. Thanks to our partners the Native American Health Center, Redemption Fitness & Wellness, the Mindful Life Project, and others who contributed to making summer 2021 feel a little bit brighter.
Welcome BBK’s New Advisory Board Members
Join us in welcoming Tejal Desai and Rosemary Healy to our Advisory Board. Tejal, a native of Richmond, is the Director of Business Value & Strategy at Salesforce. Prior to Salesforce, she worked in the nonprofit sector focusing on driving fundraising, marketing/communications, and strategy for organizations.
Rosemary, an HR professional and proud El Cerrito High School graduate and current Richmond resident, has served in our community in multiple roles including preschool teacher, museum specialist and substitute teacher in WCCUSD.
