What Racha Shares:
-her personal story as a black midwife in the United States, her pilgrimage to South Africa and initiation into becoming a Sangoma
-her insights about the systemic racism within health care
-the challenges women of colour are facing on their path to becoming midwives
-the sacrifices and decisions she has made to make her career work as a single mother
-the need for ‘passing the baton’ and creating a ‘seat at the table’ for black women to affect change within midwifery and beyond
What You’ll Hear:
-her pilgrimage to South Africa and her initiation into becoming a Sangoma (healer)
-her journey as a rite of passage
-the revelation she had after returning from black majority population in South Africa to a white majority in the U.S
-the shift in the clients who are now hiring her and the connections they are making
-the current state of black midwifery & systemic racism in health care
-the barriers of becoming a midwife in America as a black woman
-meeting the needs of her community with worst birth/health statistics
-her commitment to taking on black student midwives & why she doesn’t charge for preceptorship
-people in power need to relinquish some of their power for real change
-reparations & midwifery
-racism in midwifery (particularly in the Southern states) and how midwifery is still illegal in the some states
-why Racha uses her privilege to speak up for apprentice and beginner midwives
-why she chooses to be licensed
-the lack of support and abuse women of color are facing during their apprenticeships as midwives
-single mothering and the importance of leaning on your community
-building awareness, strategizing for change outside of social media and how to continue the conversation
