SHIRE CEO SOUNDS ALARM ON BLACK PREGNANCY CRISIS
Nationally, Black women’s birthing experiences are three times more likely to culminate in death than White women’s and these figures have worsened each year. In Washington, DC Black pregnant women are similarly impacted by pregnancy complications. Jarringly, despite making up only about half of all births in recent years, Black birthing is implicated in 90% of birth related deaths in the district.
Even more striking are the disparities within the predominately Black Wards of 7 and 8 in comparison to other wards. See how SHIRE is proactively taking steps regarding this crisis by clicking the link to continue reading the article published in the Washington Informer newspaper, written by SHIRE CEO, Ruth Perot and contributing authors.
WELLNESS CIRCLE PARTNERS
The success of the SHIRE Wellness Circles has expanded. This includes the continuing engagement with AmeriHealth, a collaboration spanning more than a decade and featuring the first Wellness Circle partnership. This Spring birthed SHIREs engagement with new partner, AmeriGroup. The in-person Wellness Circle series was stimulating and empowering, while offering participants awareness, as well as, lifestyle choices pertaining to diabetes and high blood pressure.
Continuing to make a difference, during the same period, SHIRE and AmeriHealth successfully conducted a virtual Wellness Circle. Karen Dale, Market President for AmeriHealth shares vibrant insights regarding the positive impact of the Wellness Circles and the benefits of partnering with SHIRE. Click the link to listen.https://youtu.be/husCVJyN2iI?t=303
NATII WRIGHT: TEAM MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
SHIRE Senior Associate, Natii Wright combines her professional excellence, deep service commitment and well-honed creative instincts for ensuring that Wellness Circle participants receive the maximum informational impact within each session.
Additionally in her role, Natii coordinates SHIRE’s Childhood Overweight and Obesity Program (SCOOP), ensuring to date that more than 150
childhood development programs, as well as, elementary school physical educators have received SCOOP implementation training.
As an artist, entrepreneur and founder of Natiiarts, she is the creator of the My Little World music project. The vibrant melodies and curriculum, including SCOOP, combat childhood obesity through utilizing her original songs in promoting physical activity amongst early education environments. Classically trained at Howard University, Natii is also an accomplished jazz vocalist. Audiences in the DC area and around the nation continue to be uplifted by her voice.
COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIRES YOUR COMMUNITY SUPPORT
Ongoing community service and enhancement are continuous themes for the SHIRE leadership team. Two years ago, our organization celebrated 25 years of engagement with the Washington DC community, with a focus on Wards 5, 6, 7 and 8. Since that tremendous milestone, the relative costs of providing outreach to
those traditionally underserved members of our community are only increasing. Yet SHIRE remains committed and more determined than ever to serve those in need. To do so, in the manner necessary, your financial contributions are essential to accomplishing our goals. Click the link to Make a donation today and become a Friend Of SHIRE!