Doulas & Advocacy for Black Maternal Health With Deej, Iman Seraaj, and Nicky Dawkins

Original Air Date: February 15, 2021

“We need to have an honest conversation on Black Maternal Health and the disparities in healthcare that threaten Black Women’s lives.”

This is the core conversation that takes place on this week’s episode.

This week’s episode is a panel discussion, where I am joined by 3 professional doulas - Iman Seraaj, Nicky Dawkins, and Deej.

Iman Seraaj is a trained full-spectrum doula passionate about VBACs, breastfeeding, birthrights education, orgasmic birthing, postpartum and prenatal care. With over 12 years of doula and birth advocacy experience; she founded FullCircle Doula Services in 2014.

Nicky Dawkins is a holistic Full-Spectrum Doula and Feminine Health Coach. She is also the founder of Werk it Moms — a mom-driven, soon-to-be charity organization — that focuses on providing educational workshops, products, and a safe space for moms in need to connect. 

Deej is a mother of three little boys, a wife, doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding specialist. Deej also owns a brand that focuses on educating women on their birthrights and all things from pregnancy to postpartum called The Nurtured Baby. 

During this episode, we have an honest and real conversation on how Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth - irrespective of income or education level. 

Iman, Nicky, and Deej provide candid and professional insights into the cause of these health disparities and share solutions we can implement. 

They also provide questions, advice, and tactics Black Women can use when they are having to engage with a racist medical system and provider. 

We also have an open conversation on infertility, miscarriages, and loss. 

I highly encourage that everyone listens to this episode and to the important conversation that Iman, Nicky, and Deej shared with us. 

I am grateful to my guests for the energy, brilliance, and generosity that they brought to this week's episode.

This is an issue that all of us must address.  

I hope you will listen to this episode and take action.

Here’s how you can connect with this week’s guest: 

Iman - https://www.instagram.com/imanseraajfc/

Nicky - https://www.instagram.com/thankyounicky/

Deej -  https://www.instagram.com/the.nurturedbaby/

tomearl.me/doula

Listen to "Doulas & Advocacy for Black Maternal Health With Deej, Iman Seraaj, and Nicky Dawkins" on Spreaker.

Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience with Nurjahan Boulden

Original Air Date: May 13, 2019

What fear have you been carrying that you are ready to set down? 

 What would it look like to move beyond fear and embrace your experiences?  

This week’s episode provides a bold and courageous reflection on these questions. 

My guest, Nurjahan Boulden, was 21 years old when she was shot with an assault rifle in an attack that killed the man next to her.

That one night changed the trajectory of her life. 

Even as she moved on to become a teacher and mother of three, PTSD and complications from the bullet wound continually threatened her future. 

13 years later, she is now recognized as America’s leading coach for survivors of gun violence who are ready to Feel Safe Again™. 

Fear has been a companion of mine during 2020. I have a feeling I am not alone in this. 

Rather than numbing myself or hiding from it, I have made it a goal to confront, get to know, and investigate my fears. 

A significant part of that journey is listening to the stories, wisdom and reflections from others who are on that same path. 

This episode with Nurjahan is one that I listen to often when I need a reminder of the inner-power that I, and all of us, possess.

For the astute listener keeping track at home, you’ll note that this episode originally aired May 13, 2019. 

As I was re-listening to it this week, I knew that the messages and insights Nurjahan shares could really serve a lot of us at this very moment. 

Even if you distinctly remember listening to this episode when it first aired, I passionately urge you to give it a re-listen. 

The experiences you have gained over the past 1.5 years will allow you to gain new gifts as you re-listen. 

Trust me. 

Do yourself this favor of hitting play. 

Thank you, Nurjahan, for sharing such a vulnerable, authentic, and empowering interview.

tomearl.me/nb

Listen to "Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience with Nurjahan Boulden" on Spreaker.

Doulas & Advocacy for Black Maternal Health With Deej, Iman Seraaj, and Nicky Dawkins

“We need to have an honest conversation on Black Maternal Health and the disparities in healthcare that threaten Black Women’s lives.”

This is the core conversation that takes place on this week’s episode.

This week’s episode is a panel discussion, where I am joined by 3 professional doulas - Iman Seraaj, Nicky Dawkins, and Deej.

Iman Seraaj is a trained full-spectrum doula passionate about VBACs, breastfeeding, birthrights education, orgasmic birthing, postpartum and prenatal care. With over 12 years of doula and birth advocacy experience; she founded FullCircle Doula Services in 2014.

Nicky Dawkins is a holistic Full-Spectrum Doula and Feminine Health Coach. She is also the founder of Werk it Moms — a mom-driven, soon-to-be charity organization — that focuses on providing educational workshops, products, and a safe space for moms in need to connect. 

Deej is a mother of three little boys, a wife, doula, childbirth educator, and breastfeeding specialist. Deej also owns a brand that focuses on educating women on their birthrights and all things from pregnancy to postpartum called The Nurtured Baby. 

During this episode, we have an honest and real conversation on how Black women in the United States experience disproportionately high rates of death related to pregnancy or childbirth - irrespective of income or education level. 

Iman, Nicky, and Deej provide candid and professional insights into the cause of these health disparities and share solutions we can implement. 

They also provide questions, advice, and tactics Black Women can use when they are having to engage with a racist medical system and provider. 

We also have an open conversation on infertility, miscarriages, and loss. 

I highly encourage that everyone listens to this episode and to the important conversation that Iman, Nicky, and Deej shared with us. 

I am grateful to my guests for the energy, brilliance, and generosity that they brought to this week's episode. 

This is an issue that all of us must address.  

I hope you will listen to this episode and take action.

Here’s how you can connect with this week’s guest: 

Iman

Nicky

Deej

Listen to "Doulas & Advocacy for Black Maternal Health With Deej, Iman Seraaj, and Nicky Dawkins" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Black Love & Plugging Into Your Spiritual Power Source With Wally B and C-Main Jennings

If a picture is worth a thousand words, how would you give voice to those words? 

This is the mission of Mouth of the Mural. 

Mouth of the Mural is an ekphrastic (i.e. visual art into words) event that unites visual, literary and performance artists with business owners in an effort to celebrate community, connection, and conversation. 

The initiative is founded by power couple Walter “Wally B.” Jennings and Charmaine "C-Maine" Jennings. 

During our interview, we explored how to cultivate a loving, supportive, and long-lasting relationship. 

There were so many special moments where Wally and C-Maine shared honest and vulnerable moments from their 20+ year marriage. 

Walter “Wally B.” Jennings is an ordained minister, published poet, spoken word artist, MC/Host, instructor and strawberry Fruit Roll-Up enthusiast!  A native of Tampa, FL, his poetical talents has allowed him to conduct over 1000 performances, workshops and mentorship sessions in the national spoken word community during his 20-year career.  

Charmaine "C-Maine" Jennings is a 20+year leader in education.  She is a writer, artist and champion for equity, culture, diversity and inclusion.  She has designed and facilitated professional development and workshops for private organizations and K-12 public schools across county and state lines.

At the core of this episode, we discuss the importance of finding the spiritual power source that will sustain you. 

I hope you will do yourself this favor, and dive into this week’s episode. 

Enjoy. 

You can learn more about Mouth of the Mural here and here.

Listen to "Black Love & Plugging Into Your Spiritual Power Source With Wally B and C-Main Jennings" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience

This week’s episode, with special guest Nurjahan Boulden, is so important and powerful.  Nurjahan was 21 years old when she was shot with an assault rifle in an attack that killed the man next to her. That one night changed the trajectory of her life. Even as she moved on to become a teacher and mother of three, PTSD and complications from the bullet wound continually threatened her future. 13 years later, she is now recognized as America’s leading coach for survivors of gun violence who are ready to Feel Safe Again™.

Nurjahan and I talked about perseverance (especially through fear), facing reality, navigating trauma, and reclaiming your voice. I was moved by Nurjahan’s honesty and openness as she shared her truth in this interview. Plus, we also talked about her love of dancing.

Nurjahan’s story has been featured in a number of publications, including Cosmopolitan and Women’s Health. In addition to paving the way to recovery for survivors around the world, she hosts online support groups and community resilience workshops, and is partnering with mental health professionals to bring gun violence prevention and recovery programs to schools and organizations across America.

Listen to "Moving Beyond Fear and Embracing your Experience" on Spreaker.

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.

Waiting on the Bus with Dennis Amadeus

Dennis Amadeus is a writer, educator, performance artist and community organizer. With his passion to teach and inspire young people, Dennis has travelled across the nation performing and conducting art-based workshops.

Led by his activism, Dennis has also organized community fundraisers and book drives to support many causes, including  sending 1000 Books to Swaziland, Africa to build a community library.

In this episode we talked about about feminism, activism and growth, and Dennis told the story of how he connected with his purpose and Faith. Dennis also performed two new poems and the title track from his new poetry album ‘Waiting on the Bus’ - which is out now.

Listen with faith and purpose to Dennis’ latest feature performance in THE Celebration.

You can also follow Dennis through his site, and  on Instagram and Facebook.

Listen to "Waiting on The Bus with Dennis Amadeus" on Spreaker.

Dennis Amadeus will be our feature on this week's edition of the Live and Online: Expression Session.  Register below! 

If you'd like to learn more about T.H.E. Celebration Academy.  Here's 30 days of Free Membership.