23 | From the ROOTT - Jessica Roach, MPH

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week we had the opportunity to interview CEO and co-founder Jessica Roach, MPH about the mission and work of Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT). ROOTT is a Black women-led reproductive justice organization dedicated to collectively restoring our well-being through self-determination, collaboration, and resources to meet the needs of women and families within communities. ROOTT was created by a collective who view the issues surrounding maternal and infant health as a consequence of structural and institutional racism. This interview we delve deep into what taking back our reproductive choice and care can indeed look like — the work it takes to sit in our communities truth and power. We must always go back to the root! - Jessica Roach, MPH We are grateful for sponsors of this episode and other ROOTT activities this week. We would also like to acknowledge the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and all the Kindred Partners and collaborators for dedication to Black Mamas and families.

Episode 23 of the Birth Stories in Color podcast, hosted by Laurel Gourrier, titled "23 | From the ROOTT - Jessica Roach, MPH" was published on April 11, 2019 and runs 60 minutes.

April 11, 2019 ·60m · Birth Stories in Color

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Summary

Episode Description

In honor of Black Maternal Health Week we had the opportunity to interview CEO and co-founder Jessica Roach, MPH about the mission and work of Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT).

For Jessica this work began from the experiences she had birthing her children. Through them discovering her internal power but also that of the black community. The work of ROOTT is to remind families of where their history is and where they come from. Understanding that they have all they need in creating their stories and their families.

This interview we delve deep into what taking back our reproductive choice and care can indeed look like — the work it takes to sit in our communities truth and power.

We must always go back to the root! - Jessica Roach, MPH

To connect with, support and find our more about the work of ROOTT, head to their website.

We are grateful for sponsors of this episode and other ROOTT activities this week. We would also like to acknowledge the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and all the Kindred Partners and collaborators for dedication to Black Mamas and families.

Black Maternal Health Week - Hosted by ROOTT & Partners

Friday, April 12th 6:30 pm - Birth Stories in Color 'Ubuntu' (Birth Story Circle)

Saturday, April 13th 11:30 am - ROOTT Village Circle: Inaugural Family Gathering

Sunday, April 14th 1:00 pm - ROOTT Perinatal Yoga (all stages)

Wednesday, April 17th 10:30 am - 'Getting to the ROOTT' Community Discussion (Guest Speaker: Joia Crear-Perry, MD)

Wednesday, April 17th 6:00 pm - An Evening with ROOTT at The Pelican Room (Special Guest: Joia Crear-Perry, MD /Performance by Liquid Crystal Project with Dre Peace)

Sponsors:

Black Mamas Matter Alliance | black women-led cross-sectoral alliance

Replenish | spa services

NARAL Pro-Choice America | reproductive rights organization

Commonsense Childbirth | comprehensive prenatal and postpartum care

Kirwan Institute | institute for the study of race and ethnicity - The Ohio State University

New Voices for Reproductive Justice | reproductive justice organization

CelebrateOne | greater Columbus Infant mortality task force component

Resources:

National Birth Equity Collaborative | reproductive justice organization

Birthing Beautiful Communities | reproductive justice collective

Afiya Center | reproductive justice organization