12:00: The role of doulas in Black maternal health

1:00: Prom: fashion statement, cultural ritual, and social phenomenon

Black women in America are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. It’s a crisis fueled by systemic racism, medical bias, and structural inequities. But there’s also a growing movement to push back. Community-based doulas are stepping in to support Black mothers throughout pregnancy, birth, and beyond. They’re advocating, empowering, and providing care that’s culturally rooted and deeply personal. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen and her guests explore the role of doulas in Black maternal health, how and why they do what they do, and whether they are making a difference. Our guests:

• Jasmine Brewer, doula program manager at the Healthy Baby Network
• Ayanah Alexander, doula at the Healthy Baby Network
• Stefanie Hollenbach, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology and biomedical engineering at the University of Rochester Medical Center

Then in our second hour, it’s prom season, and for high schoolers across the region, prom isn’t just a rite of passage anymore. It’s a stage. We’re talking crystallized corsets, embroidered tuxedos, motorcades, professional photographers, and send-off parties that look more like weddings. In many Black communities, prom has become a dazzling display of creativity, self-expression, and joy. Think of it as a teen Met Gala—shaped by tradition and TikTok. But there’s more to prom than just the glamor; it also raises deeper questions—about identity, performance, social media, and how a new generation is redefining what celebration looks like. This hour, guest host Racquel Stephen dives into prom as fashion statement, cultural ritual, and social phenomenon. Our guests:

• Tania Casini, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion
• Nathaniel Johnson, local designer specializing in custom prom fashion
• Jeffrey McCune, Jr., Ph.D., founding chair of the Department of Black Studies and the University of Rochester

*Note: “Connections” is livestreamed each day on the WXXI News YouTube channel. Watch here.