Shanell Brown, the founding director of Shades of Divinity, joined Trae Holiday on "The Day with Trae." Shanell, a public health nurse with five years of experience, shared her journey from observing resource gaps in her work with Black clients to founding her own nonprofit. She noted her frustration with the limitations of government-provided support and her desire to create more direct, community-centered solutions. This led her to pursue a master's degree in nursing to enhance her leadership skills.

Shanell explained that Shades of Divinity focuses on reproductive justice in Washington state, specifically supporting BIPOC families, with a particular emphasis on Black and Indigenous birthing families. The organization aims to promote Black liberation and Indigenous sovereignty. To achieve this, Shades of Divinity offers scholarships for BIPOC individuals pursuing healthcare careers, with low barriers to entry, like avoiding the need for recommendation letters. They also provide culturally centered birthing kits called "Divinity Kits" in partnership with Multicare.

One of the key aspects of Shades of Divinity is its data-driven approach. Shanell emphasized the importance of addressing disparities highlighted by data, such as the lack of diverse healthcare providers and the higher rates of maternal mortality among Black and Indigenous communities. This focus led to the creation of "Among the Womb," Shades of Divinity's first in-person event. This event, funded by the Washington Department of Commerce, aims to provide a healing and celebratory space for Black, Latinx, and Tribal communities.

Unwound the Womb: Reclaiming Birth and Justice Through Healing will feature a keynote speaker, Rhonda Graham from the Indigenous Center for Indigenous Midwifery, as well as vendors, panelists, free food, and raffles. Shanell stressed the event’s focus on community and cultural relevance. She highlighted the need for spaces where individuals can process trauma and celebrate their resilience. The event is scheduled for June 7th at the McGavick Center in Lakewood and is free to attend, with the first 100 attendees receiving swag bags.

Learn More: https://www.shadesofdivinity.org/