Newest Northsiders: Jennifer and Jaheir

Jennifer, a training coordinator at Medtronic and a five-year resident of North Minneapolis, unexpectedly found herself embraced by the NAZ community. 

“I didn’t find NAZ,” she recalls. “NAZ found me.” 

In 2022, Jennifer and her husband embarked on the exciting journey of bringing a new bundle of joy into their lives. But, like many Black mothers, she was experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, endangering her and her baby’s lives.

As a prenatal-to-profession collaborative, NAZ believes it’s critical to provide wraparound family supports as early as possible, setting children up for success before they are even born. As such, we partner with Everyday Miracles and Way to Grow to incorporate free-of-charge doula and home-visiting services to support our families throughout their birthing journey.

Through her NAZ Family Achievement Coach, Jennifer discovered our prenatal program, and the connection could not have come at a more pivotal time, as Jennifer had previously experienced nine miscarriages and was understandably anxious about her current pregnancy.

“Normally, when I lose a baby, it’s at four months,” Jennifer shares. “When I worry, it’s for a reason; it’s because I’ve lost so many.”

Jennifer’s coach paired her with Shadonna, a doula who quickly became an essential part of her support system. 

“I’m blessed to have an extra person by my side,” Jennifer says. 

Shadonna’s presence provided more than just emotional support; she became Jennifer’s lifeline, helping her navigate the complexities of prenatal care and childbirth.

According to the University of Minnesota School of Public Health, in Minnesota, babies of U.S.-born Black women suffer twice the rate of low birth weight and other adverse issues when compared to their white counterparts. And Black women are 2.3 times more likely to die of pregnancy—or childbirth-related causes—than white women. Structural racism and subsequent health inequities in the Black community are ever-present, causing Black childbearing families to experience a disproportionate number of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

With Shadonna’s guidance, Jennifer felt empowered to make informed decisions about her birth plan. Reflecting on past experiences, she notes, “Working with Shadonna has given me confidence that I can do this!” Jennifer’s doula provided support throughout the pregnancy and the healthy birth of baby Jaheir—one of NAZ’s newest scholars. Today, both Jennifer and Jaheir are healthy, thriving, and looking forward to a bright future together.

Amid ever-present challenges, data shows that NAZ and its partners help transform outcomes for our youngest learners and their families. And, while there is much more to do, we’re equipping Northsiders with the right tools to reach their highest potential. This is what we owe them—and so much more.