Cessilye R. Smith's guest appearances

Cessilye R. Smith

Truth's Table

LifeChat Radio

Birth Stories in Color

Sarah Jakes Roberts

Tonya Rapley

Harriet A. Washington

Latasha Morrison

Morgan Harper Nichols

Mahisha Dellinger

Danielle Brown

Lauren Adams

Jessica Johnson

Danielle Jackson

Kim Cash Tate

Patrice Gopo

Chrystal Evans Hurst

Amena Brown

Stephanie Mitchell

OwlTail

Trigger Warning: Due to sensitive and upsetting information shared in this episode.  In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives &amp; Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. Smith, Christina and Ekemini are joined by Cessilye R. Smith. Cessilye is a racial and maternal justice activist committed to tearing down walls of oppression and division to build bridges that lead to solution-based practices. Her journey began with her struggle with infertility and lack of awareness of her own body and then the eventual healthy, safe and beautiful births of her own children.    Over the years she has witnessed time and time again the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing and economics have had on the human condition. Constantly bearing witness to the impact of structural racism and the violence of our collective inaction, while also being active in activism and faith circles has given her the ability to see the overlap in these structures and the drive to pursue justice in an unconventional way. She is passionate about finding commonalities and creating unlikely allies within her work, as Cessilye believes we are stronger when we can find the symmetry in our differences.   Cessilye's passion for black women and for her community is what compelled her to co-found Abide Women's Health Services, an organization that exists to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care. Executive Director, activist, reconciler, speaker and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. Cessilye resides with her husband and best friend Ramon and their three (one on the way) remarkable, world-changing children in Dallas, TX. Pull up a chair, grab your teacup, and join us at the table!   Article referenced in this episode: Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why https://www.npr.org/2017/12/07/568948782/black-mothers-keep-dying-after-giving-birth-shalon-irvings-story-explains-why  Follow Cessilye R. Smith on social media: Instagram &amp; Twitter: @CessilyerSmith  Instagram &amp; Twitter for Abide: @Abide_Women  Website: www.abidewomen.orgAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Trigger Warning: Due to sensitive and upsetting information shared in this episode. In this episode, You Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives &amp; Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. Smith, Christina and Ekemini are joined by Cessilye R. Smith. Cessilye is a racial and maternal justice activist committed to tearing down walls of oppression and division to build bridges that lead to solution-based practices. Her journey began with her struggle with infertility and lack of awareness of her own body and then the eventual healthy, safe and beautiful births of her own children. Over the years she has witnessed time and time again the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing and economics have had on the human condition. Constantly bearing witness to the impact of structural racism and the violence of our collective inaction, while also being active in activism and faith circles has given her the ability to see the overlap in these structures and the drive to pursue justice in an unconventional way. She is passionate about finding commonalities and creating unlikely allies within her work, as Cessilye believes we are stronger when we can find the symmetry in our differences. Cessilye's passion for black women and for her community is what compelled her to co-found Abide Women's Health Services, an organization that exists to improve birth outcomes in communities with the lowest quality of care. Executive Director, activist, reconciler, speaker and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. Cessilye resides with her husband and best friend Ramon and their three (one on the way) remarkable, world-changing children in Dallas, TX. Pull up a chair, grab your teacup, and join us at the table! Article referenced in this episode: Black Mothers Keep Dying After Giving Birth. Shalon Irving's Story Explains Why <a href="https://www.npr.org/2017/12/07/568948782/black-mothers-keep-dying-after-giving-birth-shalon-irvings-story-explains-why" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.npr.org/2017/12/07/568948782/black-mothers-keep-dying-after-giving-birth-shalon-irvings-story-explains-why</a> Follow Cessilye R. Smith on social media: Instagram &amp; Twitter: @CessilyerSmith Instagram &amp; Twitter for Abide: @Abide_Women Website: <a href="http://www.abidewomen.org" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.abidewomen.org</a> Advertising Inquiries: <a href="https://redcircle.com/brands" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://redcircle.com/brands</a>

You Okay, Sis?: Black Midwives & Mamas Matter with Cessilye R. Smith

Abide was born from a simple idea, a birth center in the hood. South Dallas has the highest infant mortality, maternal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth statistics. While they are centered in the South Dallas community, Abide serves women from all over Dallas with doula support, midwifery care, childbirth education, and material resources. Their focus being women and families of color.What sets Abide apart from other facilities in their area is their focus of care centered in culture humility and addressing systematic racism. All those who volunteer, work or have any contact with families through Abide will find that culture humility/competence and implicit bias is embedded in their training — ensuring that care is easily accessible, holistic, evidence-based and free from judgment. Beyond these facets, co-founders Cessilye and Bethany are the foundation of upholding these standards, requiring each other and their community to have uncomfortable conversations to make the change.A gem that Cessilye left us to sit with, think on, and process is that "As long as whiteness is the standard, black women will continue to die." Listening to this episode, you can feel the power in the mission of Abide and know that the work they are doing is shifting that narrative for their community!If you are in the Dallas area or want to support their work click the link, Abide. To learn more about Cessilye and Bethany you can connect with them via their social media pages , @cessilyersmith and @bethanystrickermidwifery.Resources:West Sound Birth Services - Laura Kuhs | midwifery and massage supportJennie Joseph | British trained midwife, founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc. and the creator of The JJ WayThe JJ Way | a patient-centered model of carePerinatal Task Force | a program component of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.

Abide was born from a simple idea, a birth center in the hood. South Dallas has the highest infant mortality, maternal mortality, low birth weight, and preterm birth statistics. While they are centered in the South Dallas community, Abide serves women from all over Dallas with doula support, midwifery care, childbirth education, and material resources. Their focus being women and families of color.What sets Abide apart from other facilities in their area is their focus of care centered in culture humility and addressing systematic racism. All those who volunteer, work or have any contact with families through Abide will find that culture humility/competence and implicit bias is embedded in their training — ensuring that care is easily accessible, holistic, evidence-based and free from judgment. Beyond these facets, co-founders Cessilye and Bethany are the foundation of upholding these standards, requiring each other and their community to have uncomfortable conversations to make the change.A gem that Cessilye left us to sit with, think on, and process is that "As long as whiteness is the standard, black women will continue to die." Listening to this episode, you can feel the power in the mission of Abide and know that the work they are doing is shifting that narrative for their community!If you are in the Dallas area or want to support their work click the link, <a href="https://www.abidewomenshealth.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Abide</a>. To learn more about Cessilye and Bethany you can connect with them via their social media pages , <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cessilyersmith/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@</a><a href="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">cessilyersmith</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bethanystrickermidwifery/?hl=en" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">@bethanystrickermidwifery</a>.Resources:<a href="https://www.westsoundbirth.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">West Sound Birth Services - Laura Kuhs</a> | midwifery and massage support<a href="https://jenniejoseph.com/about/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Jennie Joseph</a> | British trained midwife, founder and executive director of Commonsense Childbirth Inc. and the creator of The JJ Way<a href="https://www.commonsensechildbirth.org/jjway/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The JJ Way</a> | a patient-centered model of care<a href="https://perinataltaskforce.com/about-the-taskforce/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Perinatal Task Force </a>| a program component of Commonsense Childbirth Inc.

22 | Abide - Cessilye R. Smith

#39: Pro-Everything w. Cessilye R. Smith by Feleceia Benton + Esther Calloway

#39: Pro-Everything w. Cessilye R. Smith