Infant Mortality Awareness Month

September is National Infant Mortality Awareness Month. Infant mortality is defined as the death of a baby before their first birthday. I'll admit, that's not usually a topic discussed during your family reunion or when you're at brunch with your girlfriends. But maybe it should be. As an employee for a non-profit organization, The Mother's Cove, in Central Ohio, I work with young moms every day. Our primary goal is to keep moms and babies safe and healthy. Unfortunately, infant mortality is a health crisis and many communities across the country are struggling. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2024 sadly more than 200,000 infants died in the United States. And those statistics are even higher when it comes to Black babies, who die at more than two times the rate of non-Black babies. 

 The five leading causes of infant mortality are:

*Birth Defects
*Preterm Birth
*Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
*Unintended Injuries
*Maternal Pregnancy Complications

This article isn't meant to scare you or leave you without hope. Because we can turn these statistics around if we all join this infant mortality fight! Here's suggestions from the CDC on ways to help:

Before and During Pregnancy: Manage chronic health issues; Eat a healthy diet; Get early prenatal care.

Follow Safe Practices: Follow the ABCs of safe sleep for your baby - Alone, On their Back, In a Crib; Remove toys, soft bedding and pillows to prevent suffocation.

Avoid Harmful Substances: Stop smoking; Avoid alcohol, marijuana or illicit drugs during pregnancy.

Community and Public Health Action:  Support family planning and help women access contraception to plan pregnancies safely; Build local partnerships by encouraging community groups to work with health clinics and share safe-baby resources.

Get involved and work with organizations in your community so we can produce "Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies, Healthy Outcomes"!

Buy Black

August is a time when many prepare their children to get back to school. It's also a great time to plan one more family trip before the Fall. But August is also National Black Business Month! It's an awesome time to support Black businesses and services. Black Business Month was established in August of 2004 by engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. and historian John William Templeton to, of course, help Black businesses grow. But it's also a great time to discuss why many Black businesses struggle to receive bank loans and to identify ways to advocate for public policies to help their economic growth. 

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 2.6 million Black-owned businesses in the United States. Finding ways to finance those Black-owned businesses shouldn't happen just in the month of August.  Here's a few ways to support Black entrepreneurs all year long:

*Shop: Be intentional when buying goods and services from Black companies. Check-out websites like The Black Wallet and WeBuyBlack.

 

*Share:  When you purchase from a Black-owned business, post on social media. Use #NationalBlackBusinessMonth to emphasize the item or event.

*Support: Invest in Black entrepreneurs through crowdfunding campaigns or by attending virtual or in-person events that celebrate them. 

*Stand up: Advocate for policy changes that promote equity and access to resources. Connect with local, state or national representatives to fight for changes.

Don't delay the chance to contribute to a Black-owned business. Who will you support today?

    

Triumph Over Trauma

Please see the latest edition of “Empowerment Magazine” attached . It is an awesome publication produced through First Church of God in Columbus Ohio. It includes great info, insights & an article I contributed. Enjoy

https://issuu.com/1stchurchempowerment/docs/empowerment_-_summer_2026

“The Fourth”

Many Americans will celebrate July 4th with parades, cookouts and of course fireworks. And since America will be turning 250 this year it will be very historic. However there are past events and current ones for that matter where our history has not been inclusive of all of our citizens. In July of 1852, Frederick Douglass delivered his famous address, "What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?” at Corinthian Hall in Rochester, New York. He was invited by the members of the Rochester Ladies’ Anti-Slavery Society. Although Douglass’ original speech was more than an hour long, actor James Earl Jones read a portion of it on the TV broadcast of “Democracy Today” which aired on July 4, 2025. No matter your political views I hope you will listen to these words from our American history.

https://youtu.be/xX-AlsQcZgs?is=rAWPWN4NsU_8MM0d

Daddy Day

I love my Daddy so much! And although he passed away in 2009, I still carry his love in my heart. He was the most patient, most loving and most handsome man I ever knew. And as many people prepare to celebrate Father's Day this month, it doesn't mean I still won't find ways to honor my Father: Norris Allen Barton. I'm not naive to think everyone had a positive relationship with their Father. However, if you were blessed with a supportive Father or have a Father-figure who has been a friend and mentor, you can still find ways to honor him too.  Here are a few suggestions:

1) Honor Dad's Love of Sports: Take him to see a game in your hometown or honor his memory by gathering friends and family together to replicate one of his favorite pastimes.

2) Support Dad's Hobby:  If Dad enjoys painting, go to a painting class together. Take him fishing or hiking if he likes being outdoors. You can also honor Dad by planting a tree in his memory. There are various local and national non-profit organizations dedicated to reforestation.

3) Enjoy Dad's Favorite Foods: Take Dad to his favorite restaurant or attend a cooking class together. Honor Dad's memory by hosting a potluck with family and friends as everyone shares stories about their Father. 

Hope you have a Happy Father's Day celebrating the Dads in your life.

Another Motivating Message

It's so hard to believe I've been on this "Mommy Journey" for more than 20 years! Both of our daughters are now young adults, preparing for their future. They are completing college, looking for career opportunities and praying for which path to follow as they leave home to begin life on their own.  Although their hopes and dreams have changed over the years, I still stand by the following "Motivating Mommy Messages" I wrote many years ago to inspire myself and others. And I hope no matter where you are on your parenting journey, you will find these words are still relevant for you too!

1) Ask for Help:  You don't have to aspire to be a "Super Mom" to be a great parent. Reach out to others you can trust. Many Moms are not just managing their children, but they are also care givers to their elderly parents. Learn to ask for help from family members and friends so you can enjoy some well deserved me time.

2) Be Prepared:  Planning ahead can save time and money.  Get help as you plan your day-to-day schedule and your future.  If you have young children, prepare their school lunches the night before and set out their clothes. Get financial advice for your child's college plans and for your retirement. You may want to meet with experts or read reliable resources in the areas of physical health, organization and mental stability.

3) Complete your Tasks: When you start something, finish it. Keeping your promises will show others you can be trusted and it also shows you are reliable. Having a consistent track record can also make you a stand out candidate when it comes to promotions on your job and being recommended for leadership opportunities in your community.

4) Dress for Respect: It doesn't matter if your clothes are from the mall, a friends closet or the thrift store. Don't focus on the designer label. When you dress in a respectful way, you will gain respect from others. 

5) Encourage Someone: You never know who may need your support. Simple acts of kindness may make a big difference to a Mom who is having a tough day.  A smile, a positive word or a hug can make a Mom feel better. Give encouragement to another Mom and tell her she matters.

I hope these messages will uplift you as you travel your road through Motherhood.

Happy April

Welcome to April! A new month with new opportunities. Lots of great things happen in April:  April showers bring May flowers, we celebrate Easter, and for some of us, we can't wait to pull our annual prank on April Fool's Day.  Although these events may immediately come to mind, the month of April also includes other ways to celebrate, including: 

*Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-18): Many of us have heard the sad statistics: Black Moms in the United States are more than 2 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than other mothers. This week was initiated by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) based in Atlanta. This year marks the organization's 10-year anniversary. The 2026 theme is "Rooted in Justice & Joy". Their campaign has launched awareness, policy changes and provided platforms to discuss education and activism. You can use this month to support organizations in your community with a similar mission or donate to national organizations like the March of Dimes or Queens Village.

*Stress Awareness Month: Since 1992, Stress Awareness Month has been observed in April. It's a nationwide campaign to educate people on the importance of stress management. Take the time to practice self-care through meditation, exercise or journaling. All of these can have positive effects on your mind, body and spirit. 

*National Jazz Appreciation Month: Jazz is an art form rooted in Black America. It grew out of the deep south at the turn of the 20th century. Use this month to introduce yourself to Jazz history, listening to some of the originators like John Coltrane and Ella Fitzgerald. Play the tunes of Grammy Award winning modern-day jazz vocalist Samara Joy. You can turn on the soundtrack of the Disney/Pixar movie Soul and enjoy the music written by composer and pianist Jon Batiste.

 

*Earth Day (April 22): Earth Day began on April 22, 1970. It started as a way to bring environmental issues into the national spotlight. And if we don't work to keep our planet healthy, who will? And even small steps can make a big difference.

1) Community Clean up: Organize or join a local cleanup event;             remove trash from a park, beach or your neighborhood;

2) Go Green with Transportation: If possible, instead of driving, ride     your bike or walk to your destination;

3) Conserve Energy and Water: Take shorter showers and turn off electronics to save energy.

Find your own special way to celebrate the month of April.