Shekinah Shakur

Contact Shekinah Shakur

Big Idea

Black infant mortality results from a lack of self-worth, inadequate knowledge of traditions and a distorted sense of belonging – stemming from social, political and medical barriers. This idea would provide direct services, support and training for women and their families, particularly those coming home from prison and other circumstances of trauma and family separation.

I want to help a small collective of women train in birth education (as midwives and doulas, or birthing coaches), infant massage and sustainable living. The effort in Los Angeles would be part of a community-based, holistic project that focuses on birth and healthy living, rather than death and self-destruction, in communities where children are more familiar with funeral homes than birth in homes.

About Shekinah Shakur

I was a teen mother and a product of revolutionary times. I have devoted my life to building holistic programs. I am a certified massage therapist and have been involved in bringing music therapy and meditative exercise to the community. I also developed a program that supported inmates and their families by coordinating correspondence, transportation and counseling services.