Melanin Mamas: Black Mothers Guide to Health

Why is it so hard to hold your urine when pregnant and after you have a baby? Jemila is a licensed and registered Occupational Therapist specializing in pelvic floor therapy. In addition, she is a pre/postnatal fitness coach and singer/songwriter. Jemila joins us to talk about pelvic floor training and how it is effecting our everyday lives. She also gives us some great tips on strengthening that pelvic floor back up. In this episode we talk about: What does pelvic floor training do for...

Is Flint the only city that has to worry about lead poisoning? Moné is a public health professional with 18 yrs of experience in food safety and lead safe living/ lead poisoning prevention. She's a Licensed Public Health Sanitarian (Inspector), licensed Risk Assessor and a registered Public Health Lead Investigator with the State of Ohio. Moné joins us to talk about lead poisoning and how its effecting our black children. If you live in a house built after 1978, this episode is for...

Why can't black mothers get pregnant? Ana is a Latinx psychotherapist in Philadelphia specializing maternal mental health, including Perinatal Mood & Anxiety Disorders, birth trauma, pregnancy loss, and Fertility Challenges. She also currently runs a virtual Fertility Challenges support group. Ana joins us to talk about mental health surrounding fertility challenges in the African American Community. If you or someone you know has/had fertility challenges, this episode is for you. In this...

Why don't providers listen to us as black mothers??? Dr. Anamelchi is a Board Certified Pediatric Dentist, Mom of Two and owner of Childrens Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in NE DC and New Carollton, MD. She is dedicated to providing oral health partnership with families from the womb to college. Dr. Anamelchi talks to us about tongue and lip ties and what all they can effect. If you had latch issues, a baby that refused to take a bottle or eat from the breast, or was told to...

Why are black mamas always so triggered??? Aaliyah talks with us about therapy for black mamas. Aaliyah is a licensed psychiatric social worker (LSW), community mental health therapist, advocate, writer and speaker. She is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those who are marginalized and silenced by creating avenues for dialogue; specifically at the intersection of race and gender. Aaliyah tells us about the stigma attached with therapy and what we can do to combat it! If you ever...

Why aren’t black marriages lasting? Catherine chats with us about black marriages. Catherine is a marriage and family therapist in the New Orleans area. Her goal as a therapist is to help others on their journey toward finding clarity and peace during stressful times. Catherine gives us the top 7 tips that every black couple can practice. These are some real relationship improving tips. Listen to this episode to find out what 7 things black couples need to practice to improve their...

Ramadan is here again and we still don't know what to eat! Ericka joins us this week. Ericka is a nutritionist and health coach specializing in reproductive health. She teaches women how to align to their natural flow for improved fertility, periods, and pregnancy. This episode we talk about tips on what to eat when fasting in Ramadan. In this episode we answer these questions: What should everyone who's fasting make sure they eat or drink at night when they can (a certain amount of...

One of the late Afua Hassan's last interview! Afua Hassan joins us this episode as we explore birth centers. Afua was a licensed midwife and the owner of The Birthing Place, a birth center located in the Houston Texas area. On April 4, 202`1 Afua transitioned after fighting with lymphoma. We talked about birth centers and what they do for black mamas. Listen to this episode to find out what the late Afua Hassan had to say on birth centers. In this episode we talk about: 1:35: What made...

With the current trial of the murder of George Floyd, this conversation HAD to be had! Dr. Jennifer Lincoln joins us this week. Jennifer Lincoln, MD, IBCLC, is a board-certified OB/GYN working as an OB Hospitalist in Portland, Oregon. This episode we talk about what white allies are and how the murder of George Floyd changed things for them. In this episode we talk about: 1:50: Who is Dr. Jennifer Lincoln 6:18: The allies job 10:25: Not educating whites on racial biases 16:09: Deciding...

Are midwives good for black communities? Nikki Knowles joins us in this episode. Nikki is a Licensed and Certified Professional Midwife in Dallas, TX. Nikki works in a midwife group where she serves families during prenatal, labor and delivery and postpartum. This week we talk about why more black mothers may want to look into having midwives. In this episode we talk about: 4:05: What exactly is a midwife? 5:27: How would having a midwife be different from having a typical...

Okay you have a baby. What next??? Christal joins us this week as we talk about what happens after you have a baby. Christal is a wife, mom, nurse and business owner. She inspires and encourages moms to put themselves first through self care practices and products that she created. This episode we talk about the 4th trimester and what mamas need after they deliver their baby. Listen to this episode for some really good tips for the 4th trimester! In this episode we talk about: 3:31: What...

Are doulas saving black mamas lives? Imani joins us this week. Imani is a certified doula and works in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 20 years’ experience, she provides support to mothers and their family not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. As a mother of 7 she understands firsthand what it takes to parent and that is what led her to creating her own natural product line. This week’s episode we talk about how beneficial doulas are to African American community. Listen to find out...

Are doulas saving black mamas lives? Imani joins us this week. Imani is a certified doula and works in Cleveland, Ohio. With over 20 years’ experience, she provides support to mothers and their family not only during pregnancy but also postpartum. As a mother of 7 she understands firsthand what it takes to parent and that is what led her to creating her own natural product line. This week’s episode we talk about how beneficial doulas are to African American community. Listen to find out...

This week we’re exposing the best kept secrets about pregnancy! This week Alexa joins us! Alexa is a wife and mom of two girls, and the creator of Gianna Laurenne, a community for Boss Moms. She loves all things mom and to provide insight and advice about motherhood and breastfeeding journeys. Her guilty pleasures include shopping online, spending time with family, watching ratchet TV and eating sweets! Come join in some of the tea this week! In this episode we talk about: 3:40: Your...

Taking that booty from postpartum flat to Baby got Back! We are joined by Tara Hux this week. She is a Registered Nurse and a personal trainer. Tara can help you heal and teach you how to be fit at the same time! Tara has her own business teaching nurses how to be healthy and fit; Fit Nurse Academy and has recently launched her tell how Nurse’s Nutrition Fix. This episode she tells us how to get back active after having a baby and how breastfeeding ties into fat loss. You don't want to...

This week we continue with Genie Dawkins as we discuss 10 GREAT tips to be a successful BLACK parent today! Genie Dawkins is a single mother of four (two grown and two school-aged) and has over 25 years of being a parent advocate of special needs children. Additionally, she is an international speaker, best-selling author, Host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, and parent confidence strategist. Genie’s mission is to help parents achieve a balanced life and overcome inevitable challenges both...

This week we are joined by Genie Dawkins as we discuss 10 GREAT tips to be a successful BLACK parent today! Genie Dawkins is a single mother of four (two grown and two school-aged) and has over 25 years of being a parent advocate of special needs children. Additionally, she is an international speaker, best-selling author, Host of The Parenting Cipher podcast, and parent confidence strategist. Genie’s mission is to help parents achieve a balanced life and overcome inevitable challenges both...

This week we cover the importance of addressing mental health with BLACK mothers! We are joined by Mecca East. Mecca is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Imani Wellness Inc., a holistic health and wellness brand committed to improving health outcomes of the community in which she serves through education, nutrition, and stress management. She currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Salaam Clinic, a free clinic located in Cleveland, OH. Mecca is...

Introducing Melanin Mamas and Maqsoodah, the host of Melanin Mamas. A brief discussion on why black mother's health needs to be covered. Some episode topics to come and more!