Our Babies Are Dying

[Keisha Pickett]

Hey Family:

I hope that you are well. I know, I know! It’s been a minute since we’ve been together! Please know that I still love you all the same! I want to say Thanks to all of you who have joined BlackintheBay.com and created your profile. There are some events coming up that I will be giving away some tix. I am not gonna do yall like that. I will have some online exclusive tix, but I will also offer it to all of my lovely BITB members via email, as well. I appreciate you all and understand that everyone doesn’t want to create a profile! It’s cool—just keep supporting! Well, let’s see. What has Keisha been up to? Whew—last week was craziness. I had four major birthdays—two little sisters, stepdad and one of my best friends, too. I don’t want to see another Publix cake for a minute! Shout out to all my house party folk I kicked it with Saturday night! And a big shout out to BITB member, Ms. Nina! She hosted a male pampering party to advertise the Mary Kay Men’s line! Men—if you need some products to keep you sexy game on point, talk to my girl Nina. All of the men were very relaxed when they walked into the party! The ladies put it down with the massages and skin care. Men, we pamper you too! Act right—and you can get it all (or most of it).

Alright, let’s get down to business! It’s football season! And for all of you who want to watch the game and mingle a little bit, come on out for Monday Night Live at Aja in Channelside. The event is hosted by Buccaneers running back Derrick Ward and NY Giants Kay Jay Harris. The proceeds will benefit Children with a Vision. Kick off for this event is Monday, Sept. 14th. See you there! It’s Labor Day weekend. There are a few events on the calendar that you should check out. Tonight is Trippin’ on Thursdays with my boys Solomon and Zwadie of Bliss Entertainment. Then go on over to the IMAX theatre for First Thursdays with some of the Bucs and Hoo Entertainment. Shouts out to my girl Rhonda with Next Level Modeling! I will honestly probably be in Orlando Friday and Saturday for the Black Enterprise Golf & Tennis Event, plus Tom Joyner is there, too. Yall know I am about my business and I have to meet the movers and shakers, especially if they are only an hour away! On Sunday, I’ll probably go to the Masque event in St. Petersburg at Chappy’s with my boy Motown Maurice and Chris Brown with Dove Entertainment. I am still looking for a good ole house party and BBQ! Invite me family! But please don’t take it personal when I put the smack down on the spades table! It’s all fun and family! September is a very full month of awesome upcoming events! The events that BITB will be giving away tix include – Meet the Browns Comedy & Gospel Show; Rendezvous-Urban Speed Dating Experience; and NEO – an evening of cocktails, conversation and instrumentations (music) - presented by the men of Alpha Phi Alpha. The calendar has details about all of these awesome events. I also want you all to support the St. Pete Water Resources Department’s Blood Drive on Sept. 17th. It’s so important that you donate blood family. It’s an awesome feeling knowing that you are saving someone’s life. See the flyer below.

OK—so did you all know that it’s National Infant Mortality Awareness Month? There is a local organization, REACHUP, Inc. that is dedicated to raising awareness about infant mortality and how to prevent it. The group will be on various outlets discussing how this affects the community as a whole but especially Black families. In 2007, FL Vital Stats reported that just over 18,000 babies were born. While the white infant mortality rate was about 7-9%, the Black and Hispanic infant death rate was more than double at 15.9%. WOW! That’s scary to me as a woman who wants children someday. Statistics show that low birth rate and prematurity. REACHUP, Inc. is working hard to educate mothers, fathers and families on taking care of their bodies before and during pregnancy.

They also want to make sure that people understand that it’s not a poverty thing. It can affect anyone. And it’s real! I have a couple of friends and family who delivered, but the babies didn’t make it. They were professional people with knowledge, but other factors came into play. Stats show that Black mothers with a college degree have worse birth outcomes than white mothers with a high school education. This is another reason why must take care of ourselves NOW. Ladies, let’s do better by learning more. As a community, we need our babies to be here. We need another President Barack Obama, Oprah, Tonya Lewis, etc. to help grow and inspire our communities. REACHUP, Inc. has provided us with some tips below; and of course I have some supporting articles, as well.

I’ll see you around town or in Orlando! For real---BBQs and house parties—email me! I’ll bring red velvet cupcakes! 