This episode of Black Woman Working includes my conversation with Courtney Winfrey as we discussed Black Woman Working...on the aspects of joy for others and for self. Courtney is currently a community birth doula, a recent graduate of her Masters, a lifestyle blogger, new homeowner and a creative. Courtney is in the rebranding stages of The Courtney Winfrey Project, which is refocusing on holistic wellness. Beyond being a former successful student of mine during my professional tenure at the University of Illinois, Courtney has had experiences in corporate diversity work years before the recent obstacles, lives lost and racial injustices that have face our nation in the past year. Courtney shares her role in supporting individuals ready to expand their family in her role as a doula as well as her plans for the future. After this great conversation, Black Woman Working realized that there will need to be a part 2 so that we are able to followup on the exceptional and continued professional and personal growth of Courtney, so we will be checking in with her at the end of 2021 and give you, our listeners a part 2! But for now, please enjoy Black Woman Working …on the aspects of joy for others and for self with our special guest Ms. Courtney Winfrey.

What Jada say... she’s bringing herself to the table??? Well... Walking into season 3 of @blackwomanwork ... and the first guest is.....ME! A lot has happened these first couple months of 2021...and the way I heal, is to share. So for the first episode of season 3, with the support of my friend, Jhaniqua, I share my thoughts and personal experiences around health advocacy and disappointments, health concerns and personal, mental and physical healing. May sharing my truth help someone in their health journey and remind everyone about the need to love more and judge less.

The February 2021 episode for @blackwomanwork features new author, Deonna Thompson Shelton as we discuss, Black Woman Working on...on creating tools for the next generation. Deonna is a Wife, Mom, Pastor, Educator, Human Resources Consultant, Life/Beauty Coach and now Author of, “Hey God, Are You Listening? A spiritual resource guide for tweens and beyond.” Deonna has 20 years of experience educating and being privy to the concerns of children, teenagers and adults that birthed her debut release, "Hey God, Are You Listening?", a necessary resource guide that will help you successfully navigate your way through life.

Deonna believes that today's younger generation has become susceptible to imposed societal standards of normalcy. Thus, it is important to provide them with Godly insight, prayers, and scripture to handle such experiences and answer the emerging questions that will arise. "Hey God, Are You Listening?" is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

The January 2021 episode for @blackwomanwork features new author, Zaakirah Lewis as we discuss, Black Woman Working on... establishing your business! As we kickoff 2021, what better time than now!

Zaakirah’s book provides the tools and the plan to turn your idea into a business with a profit! The book, @readysetquit “Ready Set Quit : Use Your Jobs To Fund Your Businesses” is available for purchase on Amazon. Here’s a quick book description from the author herself: “Tired of working job after job? Hoping to get your business off of the ground? This workbook will provide you with hand picked affirmations, a business plan template based upon what I offer clients, and advice to finally use your jobs to build your businesses. Reader beware, you will not find any advice to leave your job prematurely, nor will you be able to make your business successful instantaneously. If you do the work, however, you'll see the results. Share them, and the ups and downs with the author and let's set some real goals.”

The November full episode is posted for @blackwomanwork... Each episode of Black Woman Working is inspired by an experience shared by or shared with Sheri Nicole. The November Episode, Black Woman Working... on leaning on and building your faith. This episode focused on managing your faith during the times of crisis, including but not limited to the pandemic, election, and race/equity and social justice. Joining me on the November episode is Jhaniqua Palmer and Tanya Armour, First Ladies at their respective churches, moms, daughters, and wives to pastors who are extending all energy to their local and church communities, Tanya and Jhaniqua share how they stay faithful in the time where fear, ignorance , hate and sickness run rampant.

Just a quick message to our subscribers and listeners during this time. We are still working on content, but as we approach the latter half of 2020, the full episode releases will look a little different

I am honored to share the second part of our conversation, Black Woman Working... on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness. This episode closes out our 2 part series, the first episode posted July 31, 2020. As mentioned in the month’s dedication, the July and August episodes are focused on the very important topic of uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. There's no single best approach to uterine fibroid treatment. Some of the commons treatments include the Uterine artery embolization, which is when Small particles (embolic agents) are injected into the arteries supplying the uterus, cutting off blood flow to fibroids, causing them to shrink and die. There is also a Radiofrequency ablation. In this procedure, radiofrequency energy destroys uterine fibroids and shrinks the blood vessels that feed them. A third options involves a laparoscopic or robotic myomectomy. In a myomectomy, your surgeon removes the fibroids, leaving the uterus in place. A fourth option is a hysterectomy. This surgery — the removal of the uterus — remains the only proven permanent solution for uterine fibroids. But hysterectomy is major surgery.

Hysterectomy ends your ability to bear children. If you also elect to have your ovaries removed, the surgery brings on menopause and the question of whether you'll take hormone replacement therapy. Although these are four common treatments, there are other treatments, non surgical and surgical; and it is important that you find the best treatment for you based on your health and placement of your fibroids.

I have come to realize that many women, regardless of race suffer in silence and often alone once receiving the diagnosis.  I made the decision to share my story and create the space for other black women to share their story.

I am honored to share the space and time to speak to 6 bold, strong and courageous black women around their personal fibroid story. I am most grateful that all 6 ladies have found the personal strength and fortitude to be strong enough and ready to share their personal stories publicly. Part one of the series featured the stories of Karla Lewis, LaToya De’Shaun and Danielle Davis. This episode will share the stories of Carla Suber, Maritha Martin and Suprena Hickman.

Each story shared is unique, emotional and in the voice and words of a black women who have received a fibroid diagnosis, has made or is making a decision, and have started their journey on healing after the decision was made. Some may have had a procedure and others, like me are just at beginning of making a very personal, complex and complicated medical decision. 

I hope all whom listen will become more enlightened, educated and aware to understanding the impact of uterine fibroids on the lives of Black women and all women that receive the diagnosis. Please listen and honor the stories of Carla, Maritha, and Suprena on part 2 of Black Woman Working …on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness.

As July is fibroid awareness month, I am honored to share the July episode for @blackwomanwork. This episode, Black Woman Working... on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness is a 2 part series, the second episode will post tomorrow, August 1. As mentioned in the month’s dedication, the July and August episodes will be on this very important topic, uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. Over their lifetime, about 80 percent of black women and 70 percent of white women will develop fibroids.  Relative to white women, black women are 2-3 times more likely to have fibroids, to develop them at younger ages, to have bigger fibroids, to have more fibroids, and to have more symptoms. 

I have come to realize that many women, regardless of race suffer in silence and often alone once receiving the diagnosis.  I made the decision to share my story and create the space for other black women to share their story.

I believe Stories are powerful; they are the best tool to help us create caring, empathetic and meaningful communities. They are concrete indicators that we can use to affirm we are not alone within the space we find ourselves walking through. I am honored to share the space and time to speak to 6 bold, strong and courageous women and to hear their fibroid story. I am most grateful that they have found the personal strength and fortitude to be strong enough and ready to share their personal and intimate story with the world. The July episode will feature the stories of Karla Lewis, LaToya De’Shaun and Danielle Davis. On August 1, I will announce and share three new stories from three different amazingly strong and courageous black women.

Each story shared is unique, emotional and in the voice and words of a black women who have received a fibroid diagnosis, has made or is making a decision, and have started their journey on healing after the decision was made. Some may have had a procedure and others, like me are just at beginning of making a very personal, complex and complicated medical decision.  Some are still healing, emotionally and physically and others are now being faced at making yet another medical decision as the fibroids have returned.

May this episode and the episode posting tomorrow inform, educate and open all whom listen become aware to understanding the impact of uterine fibroids on the lives of Black women and all women that receive the diagnosis. Please listen and honor the stories of Karla, Latoya Deshaun and Danielle on part 1 of black Woman Working …on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness.

The July dedication is posted for @blackwomanwork... Each episode of Black Woman Working is inspired by an experience shared by or shared with Sheri Nicole. Please listen to the dedication and make sure to listen to the full episode loading July 31, Black Woman Working... on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness. In fact, the July and August episodes will be on this very important topic.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years. Fibroids range in size from seedlings, undetectable by the human eye, to bulky masses that can distort and enlarge the uterus. You can have a single fibroid or multiple ones. In extreme cases, multiple fibroids can expand the uterus so much that it reaches the rib cage and can add weight. Many women who have fibroids don't have any symptoms. In those that do, symptoms can be influenced by the location, size and number of fibroids.

Over their lifetime, about 80 percent of black women and 70 percent of white women will develop fibroids.  Relative to white women, black women are 2-3 times more likely to have fibroids, to develop them at younger ages, to have bigger fibroids, to have more fibroids, and to have more symptoms. The rate of hospitalization for fibroids is three times higher for black women than white women. The reasons for the increased risk of fibroids in black women are not well understood, although researchers continue to search for answers. Some data suggest that low Vitamin D levels can increase the likelihood of developing fibroids; obesity is also a risk factor for fibroids. Fibrods are often genetic,  Because most black women have fibroids at some point during their lives, the symptoms they experience might seem “normal” for them. Many girls are raised to believe painful, heavy periods are just a part of life. However, too many black women do not have an accurate idea of what normal really is. Women suffer needlessly before seeking treatment for their fibroids. Black women are 2 to 3 times more likely to undergo hysterectomy (removal of the uterus by surgery) for fibroids and 7 times more likely to have a myomectomy (surgical removal of one or more fibroids). Blood transfusions related to fibroid surgery are substantially higher among black women. Because black women are more likely to develop their fibroids at a younger age, fibroids are more likely to have an impact on their childbearing plans.

So, why did I choose to make the next two months focus in on uterine fibroids?  What I have come to realize is so many women, regardless of race suffer in silence and often alone once receiving the diagnosis.  And my story and experience was becoming the same. I made the decision to share my story and create the space for other black women to share their story. Stories are powerful; the best tool to help us create caring communities. The July episode will share the stories of black women who have received the diagnosis and have started their journey on healing.  Some may have had a procedure and others, like me are just at beginning of making the decision.  The August episode will be the second part of the discussion, which I hope to include physician recommendations or a fibroid specialist. So, I am excited for you all to hear the stories black women on the July episode of Black Woman Woman…on normalizing black women health around fibroid awareness. The full July episode will post on July 31. The full August episode will post August 31.

The June full episode is posted for @blackwomanwork... Each episode of Black Woman Working is inspired by an experience shared by or shared with Sheri Nicole. The June Episode, Black Woman Working... on self reflection, exploration with intentionality. This episode focused on intentionality…..intentionality with self, with family members through a simple list of 10 questions. These 10 questions will spark 10-20 more, but it is a great starting point for all to initiate engagement and transparency with loved ones. Joining me on the episode is my mommy, Linda Shaw. Of course this is nothing new for us as we talk daily, but I wanted to share the stories my mom shared around growing up and living in Ripley, Tennessee, as it provided context around their perspectives of the current Black Lives Matter movement to me as well as an understanding around how as much as things may change, things still have a way of staying the same generations later. But we also talked about childhood experiences and a defining moment in their story that they will never forget. I hope you enjoy and may it challenge you to take the 10 question challenge with your parents, guardians, elders and loved ones.