Mobilizing Capital for Black Maternal Health

Prayer: 

Dear Lord,

Today’s prayer is for anyone who feels unseen and excluded. I ask you to heal and protect them as only you can. Help them to know that they are loved and appreciated. Restore where restoration is needed, heal all wounds, seen and unseen. This is my prayer in Jesus' name. Amen.

Value: Recognition

Embrace the value of recognition to let others know that you value them and their contributions. Recognition raises awareness and encourages inclusion.

Self-Care Tip of the Day: 

Live!

Guess what? You are not on this planet to listen to the negative thoughts that try to consume you. You are here to live.

Do whatever becomes necessary to protect your peace. 

Blockout the intrusive thoughts, delete the negative post, close social media. Whatever it takes to make you feel at ease, do those things.

Daily Professional Goal:

Make an intentional effort to recognize the people who play an important role in your professional life. If you have a coach or mentor that made a big impact on your life, choose today to send them a nod of thanks. A handwritten thank you card or a phone call would serve as the perfect recognition. 

In the news:

April 11th -17th is Black Maternal Health Week. This time is dedicated to advocating for the elimination of maternal mortality. Maybe you read the story or saw the headline about Krystal Anderson, the Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleader who died after delivering her stillborn baby. Mrs. Anderson developed an infection and died from complications of Sepsis, on March 20th, 2024, at the age of 40.

One of the reasons this story caught my attention was because my grandson was stillborn or born at rest on March 21st, 2024. It was terrifying as a mother to watch my daughter endure the level of physical and emotional pain that she suffered. Similar to the headline shared above, my daughter suffered complications and was hospitalized for a week.

Secondly, as a woman, I felt immense sorrow for her as woman who was experiencing such a traumatic loss. I searched for words of comfort but woman to woman, I knew her heart would be changed forever after this event.

While I honor my G-Son and the life that could have been, I thank God that my daughter is still here, recovering and getting stronger by the day. If you pass me on the street and I burst out into spontaneous praise, just know that I have a lot to be thankful for.

Finally, I share this information as a business topic because it needs more recognition. Women professionals face these challenges frequently, and more needs to be done to raise awareness and recognition of this issue.

Today, April 15th is designated for Mobilizing Capital for Black Maternal Health. To learn more about this initiative and the remaining events planned for the week, click here.

To read more about Krystal Anderson’s story, click here.

Tips for advancement:

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Don’t wait until a special occasion to recognize the important people in your life

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Be authentic and sincere with your recognitions

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Let your recognition be as loud as the contribution or effort that was put forth. Don’t be afraid to be loud with your recognition.