We are covering several important topics today including black maternal health, lack of access to healthcare, breastfeeding, the role of a postpartum doula, and more. 

Camille Barnes is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Maternal Wellness Center. Camille is passionate about racial equity and inclusion, particularly as it relates to reproductive justice, and access for all to high-quality birth options and holistic postpartum support. She is a seasoned mother to four boys ranging in age from early elementary to middle school. Camille is a social justice advocate through her podcast “Two Not Too Black Moms” that she co-hosts with Maria Silver Pyanov...a former guest on the Today is a Good Day podcast. Camille is also a certified postpartum doula and breastfeeding counselor who has knowledge of infant care and soothing techniques, early infant development milestones, and breastfeeding initiation. In that work, she became attuned to how the disparities in Black maternal health were so significant which made her passionate about increasing the women of color working in the field to help bring support to moms of color. 

On this episode you will hear:

• The role of a postpartum doula and breastfeeding counselor. 
• Disparities in black maternal healthcare. 
• How Camille helps moms of color navigate the healthcare system.
• The questions you should ask to be the best advocates for yourself in a healthcare setting.
• The lack of access to care and information in low income communities. 
• How Camille helps families get access to resources.
• Breastfeeding, especially for families in the NICU, can be difficult, we talk about how Camille helps families approach breastfeeding.
• We also talk about breastfeeding in the Black community, and how that has changed over the years.
• If moms are having trouble breastfeeding, you will hear about where you can find additional resources to help you overcome breastfeeding challenges.
• You'll hear about Camille's podcast.
• You'll hear about Camille's scholarship fund, who is eligible for that fund and where you can find more information.
• You'll hear about Camille's group for moms of color and where listeners can join the group.

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This episode was produced and directed by Tony Lopes, of SoftStix Productions LLC (www.softstixproductions.com), in collaboration with co-producer and director of photography Michael Leary, of One Fifteen Films LLC (www.onefifteenfilms.com), and editor David DeLizza.

Copyright 2020 to 2022, SoftStix Productions LLC.