Meet Char’ly Snow of Birth Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Char’ly Snow.

Char’ly, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin? 
I am a Detroit native, now living in Clinton Township. I am a wife, mother of three, and entrepreneur. I am the Co-founder and CCO of Birth Detroit, Founder and President of Metro Detroit Midwives of Color (MDMOC), and the CEO of Jewels By Snow (JBS), LLC. All of my endeavors started with a divine calling on my life at the age of 13 to serve women and contribute to better outcomes for the community I serve. In college, I was exposed to nurse-midwifery and officially began my journey in women’s health. I served as a Registered Nurse for 11 years before pursuing my passion and completed my graduate studies to become a Certified Nurse Midwife in 2015. Working the frontline of healthcare during the COVID-19 pandemic forced me to explore new ways of connecting with others while in isolation and quarantine. In a desperate search for a safe outlet, I took to online shopping and discovered the entrepreneur that was hidden within and lost in the day-to-day of working for the healthcare system. Entrepreneurship ushered in personal confidence and bravery that overflowed to my professional endeavors, and here we are today. I am fully employed by my non-profit organization (Birth Detroit), committed to expanding opportunities through my other non-profit (MDMOC), and spending evenings connecting with folks through accessory sales with JBS. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When I share the high-level view of my career endeavors, many steps seem smooth, and the path felt cleared just for me. However, even on this divine path, I have had to overcome obstacles and experience my share of struggle. Throughout my education, training, and professional career, I have been one of few Black women in pursuit of the goals I was pursuing. Limited leaders of color and representation within my profession predisposed me to experiences of racism and bias. Lack of access to capital and funding resources amplified a scarcity mindset. 

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Birth Detroit is a black-led, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Our mission is to midwife safe, quality, loving care through pregnancy, birth, and beyond. We hold a vision of a world where birth is safe, sacred, loving, and celebrated for everyone. Founded on the values of safety, trust, love, and justice, we are opening Detroit’s FIRST freestanding birth center in Spring 2024. Birth Detroit is one of the newest community-centered solutions in the city. Birth Detroit embraces a community-organizing approach to birth center development rooted in deep equity and meaningful partnerships. We currently operate an Easy Access Clinic, providing midwifery-led prenatal and postpartum care regardless of ability to pay. We also offer several educational classes and connect clients with resources, including social support and doulas. Our birth center will allow us to expand our midwifery services to include routine gynecological care and a home-like birth space option for low-risk clients. 

Community birth centers, especially those led by Black, Indigenous people of color, provide safe, culturally relevant care to meet the needs of communities of color facing high maternal and infant mortality rates and perinatal clinic and hospital closures nationwide. Community birth centers like Birth Detroit are designed to honor cultural and spiritual traditions, reflect stories and dreams, and heal the frustrations and traumas of people and families who are not usually centered in the design of healthcare spaces. Birth centers can improve public health outcomes. Birth center care improves birth outcomes, increases satisfaction, and if it is culturally responsive, can make a life-or-death difference for people of color by reducing disparities in care. Despite all the evidence for the birth center model of care, there are only 5 birth centers in Michigan (none of which are black-led) and 0 in Detroit. 

We are most proud of our grassroots, community-centered fundraising efforts that funded the purchase of our land and future home of Birth Detroit Care Birth Center. Our community informs, supports, and guides our services and programming. 

What do you think about happiness?
My work makes me happy. My mother looked me in my eyes as she experienced unexpected complications during her labor and birth of my brother. I saw the fear, and without even being trained to respond, I gave her reassurance and support. There has been nothing more fulfilling since that day than helping families during such an important life event. Every single time I serve a Black birthing person/family, I see my mother, myself, my family, and I am refueled to continue my life’s journey to create safe birthing spaces that improve the maternal and infant outcomes for Black communities. 

Contact Info:

• Website: birthdetroit.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/birthdetroit?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BirthDetroit?mibextid=LQQJ4d
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@birthdetroit6727?si=N8ojgFtc4LFTf5QV
• Other: www.jewelsbysnow.com