For Kelli Brien, empathy is the most important quality that a doula can have. Kelli has that empathy because she’s experienced childbirth without having a doula to walk with her through the process, and she’s also had a navigating the journey with her. For the last 23 years, Brien, a mother of three, has been an advocate and friend to a generation of expectant mothers first through her business, In Full Bloom Service, LLC and currently through her nonprofit Mohogany Maternity. Kelli has served in hospitals, home births and birth centers, for over 20 years, and established the 32nd Milk Bank Depot in Indiana. She has served as the Director of Diversity Equity and Inclusion for DONA International and currently serves on The Saint Joseph County Fetal Infant Mortality Review team, the Indiana State Department of Health Maternal Mortality Review team, and the board of Mental Health Awareness of Michiana. She co-founded Birth Equity and Justice SJC, and has testified at the Indiana Statehouse in House and Senate chambers in support of Senate Bill 416, which passed, to be signed by Governor Eric Holcomb. Please welcome to the Many Hats Podcast Kelli Brien, founder of Mohogany Maternity.

I was driving down Lincolnway West the Colfax Campus where the Charles Martin Youth Center and the Colfax Cultural Center are located when I noticed a block party taking place at a one-story building across the street. I decided to stop and see what was going on. I soon learned that Rudy Rodriguez, a photographer, videographer, and Washington High School graduate put this event together at the building where his business is located. Rudy is an entrepreneur at heart who had many irons in the fire. Things came together when Rudy decided to turn is passion of photography into his business. He now owns Rodriguez Productions and R Studio, which is the creative space for a variety of artists, as well as an event space. With all that Rudy does, he finds time to give back to the community. Rudy will talk about his why on this episode of The Many Hats Podcast.

The rodeo comes to town on Aug. 1. This will be a first for South Bend when the Midwest Invitational Rodeo visits the St. Joseph County Fairgrounds. The rodeo features Black rodeo performers, and that will allow the people in our community to see a little-known part of Black history. Several activities will take place before the cowpokes take center stage. Here to talk about the mental health awareness work that will be done at the rodeo are the Rev. David Buggs and his wife Dr, Larissa Buggs, who is a board-certified psychiatrist. Please welcome them to the Many Hats Podcast.