Be Well: Sacred Circles of Healing & Wellness are open to only Black moms and birthing people who are pregnant or up to two years postpartum who live in Ohio. Presented by Ohio Women's Alliance in partnership with POEM Rise for Black Moms, all events are developed and executed by Black experts with lived experience with the goal of helping Black moms and birthing people heal and thrive.

In-Person Sessions in Columbus

In-person sessions run from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Childcare will be provided for all in-person sessions.

Thursday, June 4: Vulnerability in Pregnancy & Throughout the Postpartum Journey

This first session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Vulnerability in Pregnancy and Throughout the Postpartum Journey. We will begin by acknowledging, validating, and normalizing heavy emotions in the perinatal phase. In this session, we will highlight and address symptoms whilst exploring coping strategies for excessive worry, low moods, and feelings of isolation, all while building lasting peer-to-peer relationships. 

Thrive to 5
911 Parson’s Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43206
REGISTER HERE

Thursday, July 2

Transparency about Experiences
The second session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Transparency about Experiences through the pregnancy and postpartum journey. We will compare and contrast our expectations versus realities in the perinatal phase by outlining the dimensions of self-care. In this session, we will also identify components of care and support that we have already implemented or plan to implement.

Thrive to 5
911 Parson’s Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43206
REGISTER HERE

Save the dates for the following in-person sessions!

Thursday, August 13

Lactation Support
The third session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Lactation Support. We will hear from a Certified Lactation Consultant. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore, and challenge negative thoughts towards different methods of feeding.

Thursday, September 3

Care Navigation and Accessing Resources
The fourth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Care Navigation & Accessing Resources. We will discuss our current needs and the barriers that exist to fulfill those needs, and we will also hear from people who work to support mothers/birthing people in providing tangible resources and alleviating the burden of those needs.

Thursday, October 1

Building Support Systems Internally & Externally
The fifth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Building Support Systems Internally and Externally. We will define, compare, and contrast internal versus external support systems. We will discuss the additional support needed for solo parents and avenues to access that support. We will discuss the impact of healthy support systems on our mental health.

Thursday, November 5

Seasonal Supports
Any old, well-maintained clothes or toys your kids have outgrown and are looking to give away? Join us for the sixth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles, which will focus on Seasonal Supports. The highlight of this session will be a gently used clothing and toy swap. We will also discuss resources and support systems to help parents navigate the holidays and the colder months with their little ones.

Thursday, December 3

Reflection: Evaluating and Acknowledging Progress, Grief, & Growth
The final session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Evaluating and Acknowledging Progress, Grief, and Growth. We will discuss different facets of grieving, for example, grieving previous life experiences, transitions, a birth plan that did not go according to plan, etc. We will explore the ways we practice resilience and discuss healthy methods of grieving.

Virtual Sessions

Virtual sessions run from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.

Monday, June 15: Vulnerability in Pregnancy & Throughout the Postpartum Journey

Registration for the June virtual session is closed due to capacity.

This first session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Vulnerability in Pregnancy and Throughout the Postpartum Journey. We will begin by acknowledging, validating, and normalizing heavy emotions in the perinatal phase. In this session, we will highlight and address symptoms whilst exploring coping strategies for excessive worry, low moods, and feelings of isolation, all while building lasting peer-to-peer relationships.

Monday, July 20

Transparency about Experiences
The second session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Transparency about Experiences through the pregnancy and postpartum journey. We will compare and contrast our expectations versus realities in the perinatal phase by outlining the dimensions of self-care. In this session, we will also identify components of care and support that we have already implemented or plan to implement.

REGISTER HERE

Save the dates for the following in-person sessions!

Monday, August 17

Lactation Support
The third session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Lactation Support. We will hear from a Certified Lactation Consultant. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions, explore, and challenge negative thoughts towards different methods of feeding.

Monday, September 21

Care Navigation and Accessing Resources
The fourth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Care Navigation & Accessing Resources. We will discuss our current needs and the barriers that exist to fulfill those needs, and we will also hear from people who work to support mothers/birthing people in providing tangible resources and alleviating the burden of those needs.

Monday, October 19

Building Support Systems Internally & Externally
The fifth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Building Support Systems Internally and Externally. We will define, compare, and contrast internal versus external support systems. We will discuss the additional support needed for solo parents and avenues to access that support. We will discuss the impact of healthy support systems on our mental health.

Monday, November 9

Seasonal Supports
Any old, well-maintained clothes or toys your kids have outgrown and are looking to give away? Join us for the sixth session of Be Well: Sacred Circles, which will focus on Seasonal Supports. The highlight of this session will be a gently used clothing and toy swap. We will also discuss resources and support systems to help parents navigate the holidays and the colder months with their little ones.

Monday, December 7

Reflection: Evaluating and Acknowledging Progress, Grief, & Growth
The final session of Be Well: Sacred Circles will focus on Evaluating and Acknowledging Progress, Grief, and Growth. We will discuss different facets of grieving, for example, grieving previous life experiences, transitions, a birth plan that did not go according to plan, etc. We will explore the ways we practice resilience and discuss healthy methods of grieving.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is eligible to participate in the sessions?

    • Black moms and birthing persons 

    • Pregnant people or those up to 2 years postpartum 

    Why is the group closed only to Black people?
    As Black women and birthing people are the most impacted by medical racism, it is imperative to hold space and prioritize their health and well-being to combat high maternal mortality rates. By prioritizing the most marginalized when outcomes improve for Black women and birthing people, outcomes will inevitably improve for everyone.

    To learn more about Black maternal health, click here.

    Who is considered a mom?
    A Black woman or person who has birthed, parents, nurtures, or cares for children

    Who is considered a Black birthing person?
    Someone who identifies as Black, African, Caribbean, Afro-Latina/e, and/or African American and is able to become pregnant or give birth*

    *The term ‘birthing person’ includes cisgender women, transgender men, non-binary individuals, and gender-expansive persons

  • What is the perinatal period?
    The period of time beginning in pregnancy and up to 12 months following childbirth.

    What is the postpartum period?
    The period of time post labor and delivery (includes, but not limited to, childbirth, miscarriage, abortion, etc.)

  • What is peer support?
    Emotional, informational, instrumental, or other aid/help provided from one person to another, or to a group of people, with shared lived experience(s).

    What is anti-oppressive care?
    Practicing anti-oppression work in real terms is not only confronting individual examples of bigotry or confronting societal examples, but it is also confronting ourselves and our own roles of power and oppression in our communities and the bigger picture.

    To learn more about anti-oppressive care, click here.

    What is culturally responsive care?
    Care that is sensitive and adaptive to the cultural contexts and lived experiences of Black birthing persons.

    How does OWA and POEM Rise define wellness?
    A holistic framework and practice prioritizing the overall health and well-being (mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual) of a person.

  • Why do participants receive stipends?
    We understand that it is not easy to put yourself first when you have competing responsibilities. It is our hope that this stipend can aid participants and lighten the load, if only slightly.

    How much are stipends for participation?
    $25 (limited to one stipend per month per person)

    How do you receive the stipend?
    Electronic gift card

    Does everyone who attends get a stipend?
    Stipends will be given to 15 people for in-person sessions and  25 people for virtual sessions that meet the following criteria: 

    • Be one of the first to sign up for the session 

    • Attend a majority of the 120-minute session (at least 90 minutes)

    • Complete the post-session evaluation survey within 24 hours of attending the session

    Stipends are limited to one stipend per month per person.

Ongoing Resources

  • Website

    Community-based doula program providing peer-to-peer support to families during labor, birth, and up to babies’ first year.

    Located in Cleveland

    Domains of service:

    • Labor support

    • Life goal planning

    • Childbirth and parenting

    • Support groups

  • Website

    Working to reduce maternal and infant mortality and health disparities by providing culturally competent, holistic support to Black and minority families throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. 

    Services Offered: 

    • Prenatal Counseling 

    • Mental Health Support 

    • Doula Care

    • Lactation Counseling 

    • Prenatal Massage

    • Respite Care 

    Client Referral Form

  • Website

    Offering peer-to-peer support to Black moms and birthing persons across Ohio 

  • Website

    Reproductive Justice organization supporting Black women and families

    Services offered:

  • Website

    Network of Black women actively working to improve birth outcomes

    Chapters located in:

    • Akron

    • Butler County 

    • Cincinnati

    • Canton

    • Columbus

    • Dayton 

    • Kansas City, Kansas

    • Mahoning Valley 

    • Toledo

    • Tulsa, Oklahoma

  • Website

    Comprehensive healthcare center focusing on gynecology and obstetrics in Cleveland, Ohio

    Services offered:

    • Gynecology Service

    • Obstetric Services

    • Mental Health Care Services

    • Primary Care Services

    • Pediatrics

Questions about Be Well: Sacred Circles?
Contact Director of Membership Myia Rucker at myia@ohiowomensalliance.org.