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What happens when a community discovers its infant mortality rate is more than four times the national average? For Resha Clinton, it became a call to action that transformed her life and the lives of countless mothers and babies in Cleveland, Ohio.

This eye-opening conversation explores the critical difference between midwives and perinatal support doulas. While midwives focus on medical aspects of birth, doulas like Resha provide the emotional support that research shows dramatically impacts birth outcomes. She shares powerful insights into how stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy directly affect developing babies and how doulas help mothers navigate these challenges.

The statistics are shocking: Cuyahoga County once had an infant mortality rate of 8.1 deaths per 1,000 live births compared to the national rate of 0.2. But through dedicated community intervention, those numbers are finally improving. Resha details how her organization Birth and Beautiful Communities responds to this crisis by advocating for Black mothers in medical settings where their pain is often dismissed.

Perhaps most fascinating is Resha's holistic approach combining doula work with energy healing and sound therapy. Understanding that we are "threefold beings" of mind, body, and spirit, she addresses not just physical needs but emotional and spiritual wellbeing. She passionately debunks breastfeeding myths and explains how breast milk provides irreplaceable immune benefits that formula can never replicate.

Want to learn how emotional wellbeing during pregnancy impacts both mother and child? Ready to understand why advocacy in the delivery room can be a matter of life and death? This conversation will transform your understanding of maternal health disparities and the powerful role doulas play in addressing them.

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Dr. Tiffany Dent shares her experience as a parent navigating the college application process with her daughter Mia, addressing both the practical challenges and emotional journey while offering guidance on preparing students mentally for their transition to college life.

• Creating organizational systems like trackers to manage college applications and scholarships
• Balancing parental priorities during the intensive college preparation season
• Preparing students for independence through "enviable exposure" before leaving home
• Having candid conversations about dating, relationships, and consent in college environments
• Understanding the permanent consequences of digital content and technology use
• Teaching students to identify and access mental health resources on campus
• Recognizing the emotional journey parents experience as children transition to greater independence
• Supporting HBCU attendance and celebration of these institutions

Support A Better Chance for Youth by applying for the Takesha A Davis Scholarship, which is now live, or attending the upcoming South Texas HBCU Sneaker Ball.

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Dr. Monique Robinson welcomes her longtime friend and Wilberforce University sister Dr. Crystallyn Bargers to discuss HBCU friendships, alumni engagement, and supporting future generations of HBCU students. Their nearly 30-year friendship showcases the lasting bonds formed through shared experiences at historically Black colleges and universities.

• Dr. Crystallyn Bargers serves as the first female chaplain for the Wilberforce University Alumni Association and leads the Pittsburgh HBCU Collaborative
• The importance of finding your "tribe" on campus after establishing your academic foundation during freshman year
• Reminiscing about traveling with the Wilberforce University Concert Choir, including performances on The Today Show and an unforgettable camel ride in Egypt
• Dr. Bynes' experience as Miss Wilberforce 1998-1999 and being featured in Ebony magazine
• The PGH HBCU Collaborative supports Pittsburgh students attending HBCUs through scholarships, resource packages, and mentorship
• Highlighting the often overlooked legacy of Wilberforce University as America's first private HBCU and its distinguished alumni
• Call for Wilberforce alumni to share their achievements and support the university's mission 

Register to vote at vote.org and make your voice heard in upcoming elections

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What happens when education fails to provide students with the tools they actually need to succeed? Tanisha's powerful journey from correctional officer to education reformer reveals the often-hidden connections between our school systems and the prison pipeline that disproportionately impacts Black and brown youth.

Her story begins in the juvenile sector of an Indianapolis prison, where she witnessed teenagers—some as young as 15—serving decades-long adult sentences. Their common refrain still echoes in her work today: "If I had just known... if someone had just told me..." This experience launched Tanisha into education with a mission to create something different, something that truly serves students beyond standardized curriculum.

During our conversation, Tanisha challenges conventional education practices with refreshing candor. "I've taken trigonometry and calculus. I've never used it in my life," she notes, "but if you would have taught me finances, I probably could have started a business 20 years ago." This disconnect between academic requirements and life skills represents just one way the current system fails to equip students for real-world success.

As Wilberforce University alumni, both Tanisha and I share deep appreciation for the unique support HBCUs provide—support many students never learn about through their high school counselors. "No college campus will love and take care of you and wrap themselves around you like an HBCU," Tanisha explains, highlighting how representation and community create environments where students can truly thrive.

Inspired by Mary McLeod Bethune's legacy, Tanisha is now establishing her own all-girls private school as a safe space where young Black girls can proudly embrace their identity. In a world where Black students still face discrimination for their natural hairstyles and cultural expressions, she's building a place where they'll receive the affirmations and tools they need to become confident change-makers.

Ready to rethink what education could and should be? Listen now and join the movement to create learning environments that truly serve all students.

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Change isn't just necessary—it's where true transformation happens. Dr. Monique Robinson takes us on a powerful journey exploring how embracing change becomes the catalyst for discovering our deepest purpose, especially for Black women entrepreneurs and educators. Through personal stories, including how she launched a nonprofit and television show during the height of COVID, she demonstrates how closed doors often lead to greater opportunities.

Purpose stands at the center of this conversation. Not simply as a career goal, but as the "heartbeat of your life's mission." When you discover what truly excites you—what makes you passionate even during difficult moments—you've found your superpower. This authentic purpose fuels resilience and propels you forward against all odds.

For Black women entrepreneurs specifically, Dr. Robinson highlights how our unique identities shape our missions and become our greatest strengths. Our lived experiences, creativity, and resilience aren't just survival tools—they're competitive advantages in business. The presentation moves beyond individual success to emphasize the power of community, challenging women to support one another through resource sharing and genuine collaboration. "Let's change the narrative," she urges, envisioning a network where women consistently lift each other up.

Through educational empowerment, mentorship, and community building, we can each create lasting legacies that extend far beyond business success. As Dr. Robinson reminds us: "We are powerful, we are purpose-driven, and we will continue to rise together." Ready to discover how your challenges might be hidden blessings? Connect with this message and share it with fellow entrepreneurs who need this reminder today.

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"If you've ever felt like you don't belong, Jalen Halpin's story will move you to tears—and action. This remarkable high school senior from Tulsa, Oklahoma has transformed her painful experiences of racial isolation into a powerful children's book that's capturing hearts nationwide.

From the moment she joins host Monique Robinson, Jalen radiates wisdom beyond her years. As first chair in her orchestra and a student at both Booker T. Washington High School and Tulsa Technology Center, her achievements already impress. But it's her book "Mixed Feelings" that truly showcases her courage. The story follows a young Black girl navigating a predominantly white school, experiencing bullying about her appearance, and finding friendship with someone who encourages her to embrace her unique identity.

What makes Jalen's journey so powerful is how personal it is. She admits she was too scared to tell teachers about her bullying experiences in elementary school, instead keeping those feelings bottled up until transforming them into literature. Now, her TikTok about the book has gone viral with over 30,000 views, connecting her with readers who recognize their own struggles in her words.

Between managing pre-orders, shipping books (with mom's help!), maintaining her studies, and planning her future as an occupational therapist, Jalen embodies resilience. Her message about self-worth resonates deeply: "It doesn't come overnight... it's a process." Through daily affirmations and learning to love herself, she's developed the confidence to help others do the same.

Find Jalen's book on her social media platforms (look for Jalyn Halpine on Facebook or WeHeartJalen on TikTok) and witness how one young voice is creating ripples of change. What painful experience might you transform into something beautiful? As Jalen proves, your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear."

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The next generation of Black excellence takes center stage as remarkable young scholars compete for the prestigious Takisha A. Davis Scholarship Award. From an initial field of 66 talented students nationwide, these top 32 finalists share powerful, personal essays about their connection to Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their visions for continuing a proud legacy.

Each essay reveals not just academic ambition but a profound understanding of how HBCUs have served as foundations for Black achievement throughout American history. One scholar, aspiring to become an orthopedic surgeon, speaks passionately about healthcare accessibility and the "HBCU medical school effect" in creating Black doctors. Another, headed toward architectural engineering, articulates his commitment to environmental justice in underserved communities. A third-generation HBCU student shares how her family's educational journey has shaped her dream of increasing diversity in publishing and literature.

What makes this competition truly special is the authentic connection between these young leaders. Following each essay reading, they engage in thoughtful conversation, supporting each other's goals across different disciplines. Their dialogue demonstrates exactly why they represent the promising future that HBCUs help cultivate – students who understand that excellence isn't just about personal achievement but about uplifting entire communities.

These scholars remind us why HBCUs remain vital spaces where students can thrive while feeling "seen and valued." As they compete for crucial financial support, we witness the continuation of a legacy that has produced influential figures from Martin Luther King Jr. to Vice President Kamala Harris. Their stories prove that investing in these students means investing in a more equitable future where diverse voices can make meaningful contributions to society.

Want to support these exceptional young scholars? Visit the website shown to cast your vote. Each dollar contributed goes directly toward funding their educational dreams and helping them become tomorrow's leaders.

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Dreams, legacy, and Black excellence take center stage as ambitious young scholars compete for the prestigious Takesha A. Davis Scholarship Award. These remarkable students have already proven their exceptional abilities, advancing from an initial pool of 66 contestants to the top 32 finalists in a journey that showcases both academic prowess and passionate advocacy for historically Black colleges and universities.

The heart of this episode features four outstanding students sharing their meticulously crafted essays about the profound significance of HBCUs and their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Each essay reveals not just academic talent, but deeply personal connections to these historic institutions. From a biochemistry major developing a website to help physically disabled individuals navigate public spaces, to an architectural engineering student dedicated to creating sustainable housing in marginalized communities, to an aspiring publisher determined to amplify diverse voices in literature – these young people embody the multifaceted excellence nurtured by HBCUs.

What sets this competition apart is the genuine camaraderie that emerges when the students engage in unmoderated discussion about their essays. Their conversation reveals mutual respect across academic disciplines, with STEM students validating humanities majors and vice versa. Several contestants share their pride in continuing family legacies as second or third-generation HBCU students, while others will be the first in their families to attend these historic institutions. Their dialogue demonstrates precisely why HBCUs remain vital in today's educational landscape – they create spaces where students can thrive authentically without code-switching or diminishing their identities.

The competition continues with public voting, where each dollar contributed goes directly to supporting these scholars' education. These students aren't just competing for financial support; they're carrying forward a powerful legacy of excellence, resistance, and community uplift that has defined HBCUs for generations. Vote for your favorite contestant and help shape the future of Black excellence across medicine, engineering, design, literature, and beyond.

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The journey from high school graduate to college student represents a pivotal moment in any young person's life, but for the finalists in the Takesha A. Davis Scholarship Stipend Award Program, it marks an opportunity to become part of a powerful legacy. As we witness these brilliant scholars present their essays and engage in dialogue, their passion for education and commitment to creating change becomes unmistakable.

This scholarship competition has already narrowed down from 66 applicants to 32 finalists, with only 20 set to advance to round three. What makes this process unique is how deeply personal it becomes—scholars don't simply submit applications; they share their stories, defend their visions, and make their case directly to viewers who can vote to support their educational journeys.

Meet Paris, who wants to become an anesthesiologist after noticing the lack of diversity in healthcare during her own surgery. "I want to be the kind of doctor that makes patients, especially young Black kids, feel completely seen," she explains with conviction. Then there's Samaria, headed to Clark Atlanta University to study early childhood education, determined to create inclusive classrooms where every child feels valued. Amaris bravely recounts her journey to self-acceptance after growing up surrounded by media that never reflected her image, while Hannah outlines her plans to address the misdiagnosis of skin conditions in people with darker skin tones as a future dermatologist.

What unites these diverse scholars is their profound understanding of HBCU legacy and their commitment to carrying it forward. They don't see themselves merely as beneficiaries of these historic institutions but as torchbearers who will promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in their respective fields. Through their eloquent essays and thoughtful dialogue, they demonstrate exactly why HBCUs remain vital incubators for talent and leadership.

Ready to support these incredible young people? Follow the voting information scrolling across your screen or visit our social media platforms to help push your favorite scholars into the top 20. Every dollar contributed goes directly to funding their education—an investment not just in their future, but in the positive change they're destined to create in our world.

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Exceptional young scholars take center stage as the Takisha A. Davis Scholarship contest continues with powerful essays that showcase the bright future of Black excellence in higher education. This episode features Mia Jones, a Newark native with dreams of attending Spelman College, who articulates a compelling vision of why HBCUs remain vital institutions for developing tomorrow's leaders.

Mia's essay resonates with conviction and clarity as she explains how HBCUs represent more than academic institutions—they're foundations for empowerment, leadership, and community impact. She eloquently observes that "HBCU graduates are built differently," walking into rooms, knowing they belong, with a unique responsibility to uplift others. Her connections to HBCU alumni, including her school principal and Newark's mayor, demonstrate the tangible influence these institutions have on developing authentic, service-oriented leaders.

As the first in her immediate family to attend an HBCU, Mia's journey represents intergenerational progress and continuity with a powerful legacy. Her plans to study Political Science at Spelman before pursuing law school at Howard University reflect her ultimate goal of becoming a social justice attorney. With parents working as a public school teacher and utility company employee, the scholarship would significantly alleviate financial barriers to her education at "the illustrious number one HBCU in the nation."

The episode highlights the importance of supporting these brilliant young scholars through the Common Black College Application and scholarship opportunities. Host Monique Robinson reminds viewers that every student deserves an opportunity for hope and a future. Whether you're an HBCU graduate, considering attendance, or simply believe in educational equity, join us in celebrating and supporting these remarkable young people who represent the next generation of changemakers ready to transform our world.

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