After Birth, Aftercare, Afterthought: The Fourth Trimester

Julee Wilson

is an award-winning journalist, brand strategist, and the Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan. Previously, she served as Beauty Director at Cosmo, Global Beauty Director at ESSENCE, and held a three-year tenure as ESSENCE’s Fashion & Beauty Director.

Wilson also served as the Executive Director of BeautyUnited, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing equity and leadership in the beauty industry. Before that, she spent several years at The Huffington Post, ultimately rising to Senior Fashion & Beauty Editor. Wilson began her career at Real Simple magazine, working her way from assistant to the Editor-in-Chief to Staff Fashion Editor. Her writing has appeared in InStyle, Condé Nast Traveler, The Business of Fashion, and The International Journal of Fashion Studies, among others.

Wilson is also the lively host of “Top Beauty Drops” during the Jenna & Friends hour on The Today Show, and has made appearances on CNN, Good Morning America, and the CBS Early Show. She earned her B.A. in Leadership Studies from the University of Richmond and is an alumna of Stanford University’s former Professional Publishing Course. Wilson currently sits on the advisory board of Harlem’s Fashion Row and is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. She lives in Harlem, NYC with her brilliant husband, two dope sons, and a massive perfume collection.

DeNora Getachew

is President of the Greater New York (NY) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is a democracy lawyer, who has dedicated her career to promoting free and fair elections and a multiracial democracy. She is CEO of DoSomething, the 33-year-old hub for youth-driven leadership and service. She is a dedicated public servant who is currently a Commissioner on the New York City Civic Engagement Commission and as Board Chair of Higher Heights of America, the political home for Black women.

Rhonda Mims

is a senior legal executive, strategic advisor, and corporate governance expert, recognized for her work across M&A integration, environment, social, and governance (ESG) strategy, and public affairs. She has led legal, compliance, and risk functions for high-profile companies and resolved issues posing significant reputational, client, and revenue risks. Her career is defined by a global perspective, deep expertise in complex litigation and corporate governance, and the ability to anticipate and navigate critical inflection points. Today, she works at the system level of healthcare, where access, equity, and outcomes for millions of Americans are shaped.

Ms. Mims currently serves as Executive Vice President, Public Affairs and Risk for AmeriHealth Caritas, one of the nation’s leading managed care organizations, serving millions of Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and Marketplace members across 13 states and the District of Columbia. She oversees Government Relations, Communications, Marketing, Compliance, and Risk, and chairs the AmeriHealth Caritas Foundation. She is also the Founder and CEO of the Mims Lab, LLC, a consultancy that advises Fortune 500 companies and nonprofits on reputation strategy, and the co-executive producer of the critically acclaimed documentary Ferguson Rises.

Most recently, she served as the Fractional Chief Legal and Communications Officer for AbsoluteCare, a Maryland-based integrated healthcare provider with centers serving seven U.S. cities. Ms. Mims previously served as Chief Public Affairs Officer for WellCare Health Plans, a $28B Fortune 200 managed care company serving individuals through Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Prescription Drug plans. In this role, she led corporate reputation and integration across five acquisitions and guided the company through its 2020 acquisition by Centene Corporation (Fortune 23), supporting integration through 2021. Earlier, as SVP of Corporate Responsibility and Americas Chief Diversity Officer for ING / Voya Financial, she built the company’s corporate responsibility program, guided its reputation through the 2008 financial crisis and Voya’s IPO, and served as President of the ING U.S. Foundation for more than a decade, overseeing the $10M Foundation and Endowment budgets. She began her legal career with the U.S. Department of Justice, the National District Attorneys Association, and the South Carolina Office of the Attorney General.

Ms. Mims is a member of the Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, the New York Chapter of the Carrousels, Inc., and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and an associate member of Jack and Jill of America, Inc.

Ms. Mims has been named a Most Influential Corporate Director by SAVOY and Corporate Director Magazine, a five-time SAVOY Top 100 honoree, and a recipient of the Public Relations Society of America’s Silver Anvil Award and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s Corporate Leader Award. She was named as one of the Leading Women in Healthcare of 2026 by Modern Healthcare. She is a sought-after voice in top-tier national media on corporate responsibility and board-level diversity.

Ms. Mims earned a Juris Doctor from the University of South Carolina School of Law and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from the University of South Carolina, where the Honors College maintains a scholarship in her name.

Dr. Lucinda Canty

is a certified nurse-midwife, author, and associate professor of nursing at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She earned her BSN from Columbia University, MSN from Yale University, and PhD from the University of Connecticut. With more than 30 years of experience providing reproductive health care, Dr. Canty is dedicated to advancing maternal health equity and addressing racial disparities in reproductive health. She is the founder of Lucinda’s House: A Black Maternal Health Collective, which promotes equity through community collaboration, education, and support. Her research interests include racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health, diversity in nursing, and the history of nursing and midwifery. Dr. Canty draws on her lived experience as a Black woman, along with history, art, poetry, and scholarship, to create innovative approaches to improving maternal health outcomes. She has been recognized as a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, the American College of Nurse-Midwives, and the National Black Nurses Association, where she was honored as a Luminary Fellow in the Academy of Diversity Leaders in Nursing. Her scholarship and advocacy are also featured in the documentary Everybody’s Work: Healing What Harms Us All.

Dr. Thomasena L. Ellison

is the Associate Director of Gynecology at Maimonides Health in Brooklyn, New York. With nearly 40 years of experience in Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Ellison is a board-certified specialist dedicated to providing comprehensive care that spans from high-risk pregnancies to advanced gynecological surgery.

A graduate of the Morehouse School of Medicine, Dr. Ellison completed her residency at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences, returning to serve the community where she was raised. She is nationally recognized for her advocacy in Black maternal health and her expertise in uterine fibroid treatments, frequently appearing on platforms like Spectrum News NY1 and TheGrio to discuss health equity. At Maimonides, she blends clinical excellence with a patient-first philosophy, ensuring women are empowered with the information they need to navigate complex health decisions.

Saleemah J. McNeil

is a dedicated maternal health advocate, researcher, psychotherapist, and doula, committed to transforming perinatal care through equity-driven solutions. As the Founder and Executive Director of Oshun Family Center, she champions culturally responsive maternal wellness, mental health support, and workforce development for birth workers. With expertise in reproductive psychotherapy, community-based research, and policy advocacy, Saleemah is a driving force in the fight to improve maternal health outcomes and dismantle systemic barriers. Her leadership extends to national initiatives, amplifying the voices of birthing individuals and ensuring access to compassionate, evidence-based care.

Dr. Dilice Robertson

is a psychiatric-mental health nursing expert, educator, and entrepreneur specializing in lifespan mental health, with a focused emphasis on perinatal, child, and adolescent populations. As a professor of nursing and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP), her work integrates clinical expertise, academic leadership, and a sustained commitment to advancing health equity.

Her teaching and scholarship center on preparing future clinicians to deliver culturally responsive, evidence-based care across diverse populations. Robertson’s work centers appraisal and solutions to disparities in mental health access and outcomes, particularly among historically marginalized communities, and aims to develop practical solutions to address these gaps.

In addition to her academic role, Dr. Robertson is the owner of a private practice and a serial entrepreneur in the wellness and personal development space. She is also an app developer leveraging technology to expand access to mental health resources and reimagine models of care delivery. Her work spans clinical practice, education and business, positioning her at the intersection of mental health innovation and equity-focused care.

Shakira Williams-Linzey

has been committed to improving maternal and infant/child health outcomes for more than two decades, with a focus on reducing racial, ethnic, and economic disparities. She is the Director of Maternal Infant Health in the New York/New Jersey market with March of Dimes, a national organization whose mission is to lead the fight for the health of all moms and babies. The goals are to end the preventable maternal health risks and deaths, end preventable preterm birth and infant death, and close the health equity gap.

Prior to this position, Shakira was the Director of Reproductive Health and Childhood Initiatives and Regional Manager for Family Support with NJ Early Intervention System with Central Jersey Family Health Consortium. She began her career in health administration at Cigna Healthcare, working with the company in Connecticut, New York and New Jersey in the company’s Human Resources, Sales and Provider Relations sectors.

Shakira earned her Master of Science in Public Health from Temple University in Philadelphia and her Bachelor of Science in Health Science from William Paterson University in New Jersey. She also holds a certificate in Women’s Entrepreneurship from Cornell University, is a graduate of the Rockwood Leadership Institute Fellowship and the March of Dimes Greenhouse Leadership Program.

She currently serves on several boards and coalitions, including the Newborn Screening Advisory Review Committee, the New Jersey Maternal Experience Survey Advisory Board, the Power of NJ Birth Stories (PNJBS) Advisory Committee, the Leadership Council for the Alliance for Diversity Education, Practice, and Transformation (ADEPT), and the Board of Trustees for the Central Jersey Family Health Consortium.

Shakira is also actively involved in community service organizations, including the New Brunswick Area Branch of the NAACP, the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW), Mocha Moms, Inc. of Middlesex County, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She resides in New Jersey with her husband and their three children.

Gabrielle Albert

is “Passionately to the Point”, a Results Oriented Organizational Leader and Strategic Executive turned Maternal Health Advocate. For over 20 years Gabby developed and honed her skills as a thought leader and strategic sourcing executive at some of the world’s premier companies like Procter & Gamble, The Kellogg Company, Bacardi, Hilton, and Kimberly-Clark.

During her tenure she has also had cross functional experience across the enterprise with global leadership responsibility for: strategic sourcing, sales, marketing, P&L management, and research & development. She is very experienced in highly technical and complex industries such as: Nonwovens, Paper/Pulp, Chemicals, Marketing & Sales, IT, and Travel & Expense. She has worked in CPG, Food & Beverage, Spirits, Hospitality, Pharmaceuticals, and Consulting.

Following participation in the first ever Upswell Forum at Harvard Business School for Social Entrepreneurs in November of 2023, she decided to take her corporate experience to the non-profit sector and elevate her service from an advisory maternal-health advocate as a Board Member, Vice Chair & Secretary of 4KIRA4MOMS to a full-time maternal-health activist where she served as Interim Executive Director from January to April of 2024.

So, after an impactful and inspiring Black Maternal Health Week in April of 2024 she decided that she wanted to leverage her strategic skillset and passion to join her friend and founder Charles Johnson in his heart work to eradicate maternal mortality. In May 2024, she became the full time Executive Director for 4Kira4Moms. Since then, Gabby has partnered with Charles to increase 4Kira4Moms reach and strategic focus. She has implemented their first ever Strategic Plan, developed and launched 4Kira4Moms first-ever fathers’ program- 4Kira4Dads Paternal Centers of Excellence including hosting Dad’s Got Something to Say a father’s advocacy day on capitol hill, and created 4Kira4Mom’s first ever fundraising campaign “Give the Gift of Life”. Under Gabby’s tenure, 4Kira4Mom has increased revenue 6X since 2023.

Gabby is motivated to eliminate the maternal mortality crisis in the US by helping to ensure that maternal health is viewed as a human rights issue, not a women’s rights issue. “Everyone always says it takes a village to raise a child, it takes that same village to ensure a mothers access to safe and fair birthing practices, so that mother and child can both thrive!”

Gabby is a proud HBCU graduate and Alumnus of Florida A&M University’s illustrious School of Business and Industry, 5-year MBA Program which provided her the foundation and experience that launched her career as a Corporate Executive.

She currently resides in Atlanta, GA. In her spare time Gabby has an avid love for traveling & culture- she is a foodie and has traveled to 54 countries and counting. She enjoys spending time/entertaining with her family & friends, spoiling her nephew, niece & 5 godchildren, mentoring, cooking, and working out. Some of her professional affiliations include Life Member of the FAMU National Alumni Association; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Smithsonian 2015 Society, Past Board Chair of Veritas School of Social Sciences, Past Board Secretary of Nic’s Kicks, McKinsey Black Executive Leadership Program, and a Cincinnati Urban League AALDP Alumnus.

Danielle Jean Brooks

is a nationally recognized health equity leader, healthcare strategist, and policy expert with more than 15 years of experience turning policy into practice. She currently serves as Director of Quality Health Equity at AmeriHealth Caritas, where she leads enterprise-wide equity strategy across 12 states and territories, advising on Medicaid and Medicare quality, community engagement, data, and accreditation. Danielle has successfully led multiple NCQA Health Equity Accreditations, developed one of the nation’s first payer-led sexual orientation and gender identity equity programs, and partnered with communities to reduce disparities in maternal health, behavioral health, and chronic disease outcomes.

A trusted advisor to public and private healthcare stakeholders, Danielle is known for building cross-sector collaboration that improves engagement, experience, and outcomes for historically underserved communities. She serves on national advisory bodies including NCQA’s Health Equity Standards Committee, Physicians for Social Responsibility, and the University of Michigan Learning Health Systems Advisory Collaborative. Danielle holds a Juris Doctor from William & Mary Law School and a Bachelor of Arts from Oberlin College.

Brad M. Edwards

is the Program Strategist of Dear Fathers, a national platform dedicated to strengthening Black men, supporting families, and improving maternal and infant health outcomes through culturally relevant, community-based programming.

In his role, Brad leads the design, development, and implementation of scalable initiatives that engage men at the intersection of mental health, fatherhood, and public health. His work focuses on equipping men with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to actively support their partners, children, and communities—particularly during critical stages such as pregnancy, birth, and early childhood.

One of Dear Fathers’ flagship programs, Dads To Doulas, is an innovative training model that prepares men to support mothers throughout the perinatal journey. Since launching in October 2024, the program has trained over 500 men across 44 states and 4 countries, demonstrating both strong demand and national scalability. The program integrates health education, advocacy, emotional intelligence, and practical application to improve outcomes for families and increase male engagement in maternal health.

Brad also leads Dear Fathers’ mental health initiative, Str8 Mental, which has reached over 6,500 Black men nationwide. Through structured programming and facilitated dialogue, the initiative addresses emotional wellness, relationship dynamics, and the societal pressures impacting Black men, while increasing access to support and resources.

Through Dear Fathers, Brad has collaborated with healthcare systems, community organizations, and national partners to expand access, build trust, and drive engagement in underserved communities. His approach is grounded in lived experience, cultural competence, and a commitment to building sustainable, community-driven solutions.

Brad is recognized for his ability to translate complex health and social challenges into practical, scalable programming that produces measurable impact. His work is centered on creating stronger men, healthier families, and more connected communities through intentional partnership and innovation.

Tonya Lewis Lee

is an award-winning filmmaker, author, entrepreneur, and women’s health activist whose work explores the personal impact of social justice issues. Through her documentaries and books, she has reached tens of millions with vital health and wellness messages. Her feature-length documentary Aftershock (Hulu), which she co-directed and co-produced, examines the United States’ maternal mortality crisis and earned a 2024 DuPont-Columbia Award, a 2023 Peabody Award, a 2023 Emmy nomination, and a 2022 Sundance Special Jury Impact for Change Award.

Tonya served as Executive Producer on Netflix’s episodic series She’s Gotta Have It, produced Miracle’s Boys (Nickelodeon), based on the Jacqueline Woodson novel, wrote and produced The Watsons Go To Birmingham (Amazon), and produced Monster (Netflix), which premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. She is president of her production company, Madstone Company Inc. Expanding her producing work to the stage, Tonya has produced Broadway works including A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical (Studio 54, 2024–2025), developed in association with Roundabout Theatre Company.

An accomplished author, Tonya has co-written three children’s books with her husband Spike Lee—Please, Baby, Please; Please, Puppy, Please; and Giant Steps to Change the World—which have sold over one million copies. She also co-authored the adult fiction novel The Gotham Diaries (Hyperion) with Crystal McCrary Anthony, which was praised by Publisher’s Weekly as “vicious,” “funny,” and “juicy.” She has also penned guest editorials for prestigious media outlets including The Hollywood Reporter.

A committed women’s health advocate, Tonya served as a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health (2007–2013), is a Board Emeritus member of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and served on the Board of Trustees for the March of Dimes (2019–2025). She was named to the 2023 Forbes 50 Over 50 list. As an entrepreneur, she founded Movita Organics, an organic vitamin supplement company promoting women’s health and wellness for over a decade.

Tonya frequently shares her expertise on women’s health, healthcare inequalities, and social justice through appearances on ABC News, CBS Mornings, The View, NBC News, NPR, The Steve Harvey Morning Show, and The Breakfast Club. She has addressed audiences of up to 10,000 in person and virtually for leading organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Harvard University, Yale University, Columbia Journalism School, Walmart, and Blue Cross Blue Shield.

A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College and the University of Virginia School of Law, Tonya is a member of the Writers Guild of America, the Producers Guild of America, and the Television Academy. She is happily married, is the mother of two adult children, and lives in New York.

Eboni K. Williams

is an American lawyer, author and television host. She hosts and is executive producer of Equal Justice with Judge Eboni K. Williams, a nationally syndicated court television show. Additionally, she was host and executive producer of the NAACP Image Award winning, Holding Court with Eboni K. Williams.

In addition to frequently guest hosting The View and The Breakfast Club, Williams starred on season 13 of “The Real Housewives of New York City”, becoming the show’s first Black cast member ever. Her bestselling book, Bet on Black: The Good News About Being Black in America hit shelves in January 2023. The paperback version will be released in July 2025.

Eboni is a proud and active member of the Pi Kappa Omega chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. and The Greater New York Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. She is also a NYC Gender Equity Commissioner.

Williams holds a Bachelor’s degree in Black and African Studies from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, a Doctor of Jurisprudence from Loyola University New Orleans College of Law, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Benedict College. She currently lives and owns in Harlem, USA.