March 2024 Newsletter
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear Community:
I'm happy to welcome spring, as it represents new beginnings and transformations. A year ago, our organization was transforming from a fiscally sponsored organization known as Building Blocks for Kids (BBK), and nearly a year later, we are thriving as independently operated FIERCE Advocates.
As spring is about starting fresh, I'm excited about our burgeoning policy and advocacy activities with parents and caregivers who are part of the Bay Area Coalition for Education Justice (BACEJ) fellowship and seek to make our schools spaces where all students thrive.
When I think about spring, I think about things blossoming, and there is no better way to represent that than our five new CoCo Doulas, who are now out in community meeting with Black birthing families on their journey to parenthood.
And, what is bringing me tremendous joy is the soon-to-be launch of our anthology called Unleashing the Power of Her: From Becoming Unstuck to Creating Legacy. This compilation of stories started with our Black Woman's Sanctuary and demonstrates the dynamism of collective community wisdom.
I invite you to explore our March Newsletter to learn more about what else is blooming at FIERCE!
In Community,
Sheryl Lane
Executive Director
National Black Maternal Health Week
National Black Maternal Health Week is “a week-long campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.”
This week is taking place from April 11-17th and is packed with important national events. To learn more about BMHW, visit: Black Mamas Matter Alliance | Black Maternal Health Week!
One of FIERCE’s core programs is built to support and advocate for Black Maternal Health. We do this through our CoCo Doulas program, along with hosting educational community events throughout the year.
We also want to highlight the work of our Coco Doulas!
We asked some of them to share why they became a doula and what they wish more people knew about Black Maternal Health:
REFLECTIONS FROM EMAYE MIZANI:
Why did you become a Doula?
“Because the support I received from a doula was a key factor to having successful births with both of my children. I had a community-based doula who showed up for me completely free of charge and I knew that I wanted to show up for other mamas the same way. No woman should be laboring alone.”
What do you wish more people knew about Black Maternal Health?
“I wish more people knew the impact of culturally competent doulas in improving maternal outcomes for Black women.”
REFLECTIONS FROM ALAAFIA SHAMBE:
Why did you become a Doula?
“I became a doula because I found out about the black maternal & infant death rates - they were VERY alarming to me. I wanted to help change those rates because black women are the blueprint.
We deserve to have safe births! After everything we've been through we deserve to bring babies into the world without worrying about death for us or our babies.”
What do you wish more people knew about Black Maternal Health?
“I wish more people knew about medical-based racism and our scary high death rates. I also wish people knew how Black women were taught to take everything to the chin and how asking for help is taboo for a lot of us.”
REFLECTIONS FROM JULIE SATTERFIELD:
Why did you become a Doula?
“I wanted to be hands-on in advocating for mothers and their care during and after pregnancy. I love caring for people and I absolutely adore babies. If I could be the voice for a mom or partner who may be afraid of just not knowing what to ask or how to answer concerns they may have, I could advocate for them. It is gratifying to be a part of the total experience of childbirth.”
What do you wish more people knew about Black Maternal Health?
“Most people have no idea how women of color are being treated differently than white women. Black Maternal Health is definitely a serious issue in the US. With an average of 20.1 maternal deaths/ 100 thousand live births, the US is the most dangerous developed country in which to give birth.
For black women, the most frequent victims of our crisis-level maternal mortality rates, the odds are even worse. According to the most recent data, the maternal death rate for black women is more than double that of white women. 44.0 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to 17.9. It was also more than three times the rate for Hispanic women at 12.6.”
Much gratitude to our incredible CoCo Doula Team! To learn more about this program, please visit this link.
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FIERCE Welcomes New Staff!
Our staff continues to grow and we want to introduce you to the newest person on our team who will be bringing the FIERCE mission to life!
Yusef Herbert: Leadership Development Coordinator
As part of the FIERCE Advocates team, Yusef strives to provide resources, awareness, and outreach to families in the West Contra Costa community that grow their leadership, self, and collective empowerment.
To learn more about what Yusef brings to our organization, check out his bio here.
Welcome to the FIERCE Team, Yusef!
Unleashing the Power of Her:
From Overcoming Stuck to Creating Legacy
FIERCE Advocates is elated to announce the release of “Unleashing the Power of Her: From Overcoming Stuck to Creating Legacy”!
The collaborative book contains the stories of 22 Black women who, with raw honesty and moving testimony, share their stories of persevering and learning to believe in themselves as they celebrate their unique qualities and unleash their innate power.
This anthology is for anyone looking for inspiration, motivation, and lessons that they can apply to their lives, regardless of their background or experience.
Because this book came out of FIERCE Advocates’ Black Woman’s Sanctuary program, it also serves as a tool for peer support groups exploring how to connect their stories and move towards collective voice and change.
We are immensely grateful to the powerful and resilient women who contributed to this project.
Stay tuned - the official release date will be announced soon!
Get Involved!
Looking for ways to get involved with FIERCE? You’re invited to explore the following opportunities!
Breast Pump Workshop with Breastfriends Oakland
Date: Tuesday, March 26th
Time: 10am - 12:30pm
Location: FIERCE Advocates’ Health and Healing Center #310 9th st., Richmond CA 94801
Click here for the registration link!
Gardening Party; Fiesta De Jardin!
Date: Friday, March 29th
Time: 5:30-7pm
Location: FIERCE Advocates’ Health and Healing Center #312 9th st, Richmond CA 94801
Click here for the registration link!
Black Village Network Presents: Humphrey Play Community Clean Up
Date: Saturday, April 20th
Time: 10am-3pm
Location: Humphrey Park Playlot; 26th St & Humphrey Ave
Registration link: tinyurl.com/HumphreyPlaylot
For more information, contact Yusef Herbert at yherbert@fierceadvocates.org.