We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jazzmine Brooks a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jazzmine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. If you had a defining moment that you feel really changed the trajectory of your career, we’d love to hear the story and details.
I received an email highlighting Black maternal and infant mortality issues in Iowa. I realized that after many years of healthcare and increased technology, Black women were still dying at 6x the rate of white women and that Black babies were not receiving quality and preventative care to survive past one year. Simultaneously, I researched how this issue was being addressed and found the National Black Doula Association. Every week, I tuned in to their LIVE on Instagram and felt drawn into the passion and commitment to support Black women and mothers worldwide. I decided to sign up for their first birth doula training in Atlanta, Georgia. I was so afraid and felt unsure if this was my calling. After that training and 50+ births later, I am certain that this is what I am supposed to do. It’s clear from the connections I make in the community and with families and how I have built up the work across the state. My career has changed to fully providing service and support to the people most in need. I’ve transitioned into a mentor role, providing continued education for doulas. I am working towards a career in midwifery in the last year of my Ph.D. with a focus on Black maternal health and midwifery.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Jazzmine ‘Rural Black Doula” Brooks, and I am a scholar, certified full spectrum doula, and RYT 200 Hatha Yoga of the Himalayan Tradition and SomaYoga Therapy Instructor in Central Iowa.
I strongly believe in empowering Black, Indigenous, and folks of color through community, support, and resource sharing. My passion is fueled by the desire to address Black women and infant maternal health, and I encourage space for people to control their narratives and share their own stories. I am proud to be the founder and Executive Director of Jai Olive Wellness, a 501(c)3 organization that provides a cooperative space to mobilize communities and coalition-build to improve health outcomes and center the culture and needs of diverse families in rural communities through education, services, and partnership.
In addition to my work with Jai Olive Wellness, I also organize a national summer book club called Lotus Sisters, lead Kindred, a movement dedicated to restorative healing and connection, and serve as the host of the Rural Black Doula Chronicles and the Being Olivia podcast. Currently, I am actively involved as a liaison for a doula project that supports Black families, and I am co-creating a doula project to serve immigrant and refugee families.
As a Ph.D. student in Human Development and Family Studies at Iowa State University, my research focus is on the reclamation of traditional medicine and Black midwifery. Beyond my academic pursuits, I cherish quality time spent with my partner, Jordan, our furbabies Bleu and Brie, my beloved plants, and embracing my identity as a soft Black woman in these streets.
Putting training and knowledge aside, what else do you think really matters in terms of succeeding in your field?
I initially wanted to go to school to be an OB/GYN. I don’t have any regrets, but it made it clear that you end up doing the work you’re meant to do at the time it’s meant to happen. I believe the generation coming behind me may fear committing to one thing with the potential to do work that isn’t meaningful or truly suited for them. I say dive in. You won’t know until you do it or fail until you’ve been met with challenges, and the pressure isn’t part of the journey. Make sure to surround yourself with like-minded folks, get a journal to write out your ideas, don’t share everything with everyone, and insert wins along your journey. Keep being excited about your stuff. Remove expectations of outcomes and others. Remain active and observant. You are sure to win.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
Be clear about who you are serving. Be innovative and creative about how to reach them. Don’t negate using social media as it helps to build brand presence. Everything is content, so take pictures, get reviews, encourage shares and reposts, and show your clients some love with giveaways.
Build your brand by getting a coach, brand manager, or social media manager. Invest in creating toolkits with your logo and trademark your materials. Make sure that the connections you are building with your clients are sustainable.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ruralblackdoula.co
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ruralblackdoula/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RuralBlackDoula
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jazzminebrooks/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/ruralblackdoula
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@ruralblackdoula?si=ZJbbEn3Sxw1gYQag
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/jai-olive-wellness-ames-2