WXXI News
Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. It’s a crisis fueled by systemic racism, medical bias, and structural inequities. But there’s also a growing movement to push back.
Community-based doulas are stepping in to support Black mothers throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. They’re advocating, empowering, and providing care that’s culturally rooted and deeply personal.
This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen and her guests explore the role of doulas in Black maternal health, how and why they do what they do, and whether they are making a difference.
Our guests:
- Jasmine Brewer, doula program manager at the Healthy Baby Network
- Ayanah Alexander, doula at the Healthy Baby Network
- Stefanie Hollenbach, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester Medical Center
