Welcome to The Healthy Project Podcast, My City, My Health series. In this insightful episode, guest host Brooklyn Lowry sits down with Jazzmine Brooks, a dedicated certified doula, Black maternal health advocate, and community wellness leader.

Jazzmine shares her incredible journey from Southside Chicago to becoming pivotal in Iowa's health community. She discusses her role at the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, her non-profit Jai Olive Wellness, and her work in food security through the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Episode Description:

In this episode guest host Brooklyn Lowry interviews Jazzmine Brooks, a certified doula and Black maternal health advocate. Jazzmine shares her personal and professional journey, shedding light on the critical issues facing Black mothers and families. She talks about her work with J Olive Wellness, the impact of Black maternal mortality, and the importance of community support and education.

Listen in as Jazzmine discusses:

• Her experiences navigating mental health and healthcare in a predominantly white rural area.
• The transformative power of her training as a doula and the significance of cutting her hair as a form of personal reckoning.
• The challenges and triumphs of starting Jai Olive Wellness and providing resources to underserved communities.
• Her miscarriage experience and the impact of restrictive abortion laws on Black women’s health.
• The importance of increasing the presence of Black doulas and training them to support diverse communities.
• The broader social determinants affecting maternal health, including access to healthy food, safe housing, and quality childcare.

Join us for this compelling conversation and gain valuable insights into the complexities of Black maternal health and the steps needed to create a more equitable healthcare system.

Don't miss the My City My Health Des Moines Conference on November 15th. Get your tickets now at www.mycity.health.

Thank You:

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, UnityPoint Health, for supporting this episode and the My City My Health Conference. Your dedication to community health and wellness makes this important work possible.

Tune in, subscribe, and be part of the movement towards health equity and empowerment for all.