Cessilye Smith is a trailblazer. Opening a clinic that focuses on Black maternal healthcare is a necessity that she has dedicated her life to addressing. As the founder of Abide Women, she shares why this work is critical, the need for more Black midwives, and the importance for leaders to do life differently. 

Cessilye prides herself on living in the gray and working through the messiness that life has to offer.  Over the years she has witnessed the devastating impact systemic failures in healthcare, housing & economics have had on the human condition. Having the ability to see the overlap in these structures has given her the drive to pursue justice in a way that brings unlikely people together. Cessilye's passion for Black women and for her community is what compelled her to found Abide Women's Health Services in the heart of South Dallas. Founder, Executive Director, anti-racist, maternal justice activist, speaker, and educator are just a few of the many hats she wears. But the most challenging and rewarding hats she wears are of mother to her four children and wife to her husband Ramon. 

website: www.abidewomen.org www.cessilyersmith.com

Instagram and Twitter Handles: @abide_women @cessilyersmith