About This Project
To help increase breastfeeding rates among U.S.-born African American women, Ramsey County first needed to understand the core problems preventing the community from breastfeeding, as well as identifying assets the community has to leverage. To accomplish this, we embarked on wide-scale outreach efforts and held listening sessions with parents and guardians of children of all ages, as well with grandparents and community members who had an interest in or experience with this topic. By putting the community in the driver’s seat, we amplified their knowledge, allowing us to face the challenges associated with breastfeeding head-on.
Phase 1
In 2021, a core group of 12 community members played an essential role in the project. They shared their own experiences and those of community members in early listening sessions and then continued to come together during multiple equity labs where these stories were ultimately conceived. The community’s insight drove the development of two stories about African American women and their experiences with choosing to breastfeed. An Equity Action Lab, a community workgroup made up of 12 community members, met regularly to collectively draft messaging for the project’s main outcome, the development of two stories, “Liquid Gold” and “It Takes a Village.” These stories share two different perspectives on breastfeeding, meant to uplift and empower Black women to breastfeed their babies. Their contributions to this campaign are immeasurable and we thank them for all they have done to nurture this project.
ARTISTS
ARTIST
Top Row (L-R): Hlee Lee-Kron, the other media group, Karen DeYoung, DeYoung Consulting, Dr. Diane Banigo, Ignited Faces of Beauty, Christopher Jones, DeYoung Consulting; Second Row (L-R): Vince Foster, Mina Price, Sarah Osmon, Sherri Hardeman; Third Row (L-R): Melissa Johnston, Meredith Bokamba, Kristin Morris, Niambi Jackson; Fourth Row (L-R): Carisha Thomas, Arwa Osmon, Glenda Harris, Tara Scott
Kaytee Crawford is a proud Black woman and a lot of her art is word art that has quotes of powerful women and other femmes of color as the focus. Her art has also transformed into coloring books, greeting cards, t-shirts, and more. Kaytee is also a birth and postpartum doula and an educator in lactation, childbirth, and babywearing. In addition to artist and doula, Kaytee also carries the title of mom (to 4 boys) and wife (to her husband of 11 years). They reside in the East Side of St. Paul, MN.
Doula website: www.doulakaytee.com
Instagram: @ahavacreativeco
Kam Darby was bring in Jackson, Mississippi. He has been practicing art for as long as he can remember, but it’s taken time to find his preferred medium and methods. Kam finds himself drawn to character-based work and frequently make art inspired by people he meets. He describes people are very multifaceted and to create a convincing character, it’s important to try and capture those elements. He considers his art to be predominately subjective, and likes to create works that center around preexisting or developing narratives.
Twitter: @southerngoffic
Leeya Rose Jackson is an Art Director, Designer, and Illustrator born and raised in Detroit, Mi. She resides in Minneapolis, where she create works that explore and celebrate Black Femme and Queer identities. She is the Creative Founder/Head Designer of Noisemakers Design Shop, aimed at providing equitable and unique design for BIPOC small businesses and initiatives. In 2020, Leeya found a new solace in beginning to digitally illustrate as well as design. She goes by Leeya Makes Noise/Noisemakers because her work is loud, colorful, bold and dares to center BIPOC & Queer first.
Website: www.noisemakerdesign.com
Instagram: @noisemakers.psd
Top Row (L-R): Christopher Jones, DeYoung Consulting Services; Hlee Lee-Kron, the other media group, Karen DeYoung, DeYoung Consulting Services, Myc Dazzle (artist); Second Row (L-R): Dr. Diane Banigo, Ignited Faces of Beauty, Isaiah Dennis, Calvin Woody III, Jerad Green, Third Row (L-R) Alex Kelvin, Jarrell Cunningham, and Keith Crum.
Phase 2
In 2023, another group of passionate and committed young African-American men shared their insight during Ramsey County Equity Labs. Their stories and experiences were brought to life through powerful illustrations that were displayed on posters, postcards and t-shirts. These items were distributed throughout the community. These men are committed to shaping the narrative, through advocating and supporting breastfeeding to build stronger communities and families.
Mychal Batson (MycDazzle) is a entrepreneur, author, and creative problem solver. He has 11 years of experience working with organizations across sector as a creative consultant. His background in strategic planning, multi-media storytelling, and graphic design equips him with the tools to add flexibility and creative depth to any project team.
In 2016, Myc founded his Creative Agency, Discover Dope Creative. In 2018, Myc translated and illustrated Frogtown’s Small Area Plan into a living graphic novel, “SMaPl.” The plan was officially adopted into St. Paul’s Comprehensive Plan the same year and has since received national and community recognition. In 2022, Myc was nominated for a Midwest Emmy for his character design and animation work on the web series, “You Got Weird,” produced by Twin Cities PBS.
Myc has a Bachelor’s Degree in English Creative Writing, Graphic Design, and Film from Augsburg University.
Website: www.discoverdopecreative.com
Instagram: @MycDazzle