BirthWork
Everyone walking this planet is born from someone — yet we rarely celebrate the people and the work of bringing new life into this world. In the face of persistent threats to maternal health and other critical injustices in perinatal health, community-led solutions, policies, and movements are paving pathways toward better birth outcomes. In this podcast, we’ll dig into the work happening today by tremendous individuals to ensure generations of thriving and striving communities. You'll hear directly from leaders, organizers, and birthworkers as they share what it takes to confront barriers to health and wellbeing and celebrate the transformation of birth for individuals, families, communities, states, and our nation. Together, we will reimagine what birth experiences can be.
BirthWork
Breaking the Silence: Storytelling as a Tool for Addressing Maternal Health
In this episode of BirthWork, we explore the transformative power of storytelling in addressing maternal health in Detroit. AMCHP host Kameron Jones is joined by Alethia Carr and Princella Graham from Project Detroit Voices for Life to discuss how integrating community voices is reshaping maternal care. Through the lens of personal stories, they shed light on critical issues like maternal morbidity and mortality, provider training, and the importance of doulas and midwives in providing support and care with dignity and respect. The episode also highlights the broader work of the Southeast Michigan Perinatal Quality Improvement Collaborative (SEMQIC) and how they’re using storytelling to foster empathy, change the narrative on maternal health, and equip people in their communities to advocate for themselves. Tune in to learn how these efforts are inspiring systemic change and making birth experiences safer and more supportive for all.
Guest Speakers:
- Alethia Carr, Project Detroit: Voices for Life Health Equity Consultant, SEMPQIC
- Princella Graham, Project Detroit: Voices for Life Project Coordinator, SEMPQIC
Hosts:
- Kameron Jones, Reproductive and Maternal Health Program Analyst at AMCHP
- Ellisa Alvarez, Community-Defined Evidence Program Analyst at AMCHP
Resources:
- Four-Pronged Approach of Project Detroit: Voices for Life Initiative (PD: VFL)
- “Our Voices/Our Birth- Hear Us!: Detroit Mothers Speak” campaign
- Listen to Oliva’s Birthing Story referenced during the episode on not being heard
- Learn more about the Association of Maternal & Child Health Programs (AMCHP) at our website.