Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelenne Blake-Fallon.
Hi Kelenne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a creative, an organizer and a Blackademic from Trinidad and Tobago based in Austin, Texas. I live at the intersection of being a Black Immigrant Woman in the US, and I do a lot in many different spheres, but everything I do involves working creatively with vulnerable communities (my communities), disrupting false hierarchies and creating spaces for my communities to assert our unique voices, perspectives and power. I’ve done this as an artist through spoken word poetry and other forms of creative performance and movement; as a Blackademic through teaching at a HBCU for some years, and now as a DrPH student at Johns Hopkins University studying Health Equity and Social Justice; and as an organizer doing community work with groups like CCU (Communities of Color United) and CRT ( Community Resilience Trust) and independently with projects like the Juneteenth Health Fest. I still consider what I do now to be organizing – I am the Executive Director of Black Mamas ATX, a position I started in January 2022.
I feel like I was destined to end up doing this work since birth because my mother gave me an Igbo name, Kelenne, which means “thank mother”. But I’ve been involved in this work and organization almost since the beginning in 2018 when the organization was founded by Dr. Michele Rountree to address and eliminate the maternal health disparities that Black women face in the U.S. I originally met Michele because at the time, I used to put on an event called the Juneteenth Health Fest and that year’s theme was going to be Maternal Health. I quickly fell in love with what she was doing with the then Black Mamas Community Collective and got involved, first as an Ambassador, then as a Community Organizer, part of the Leadership Team, a member of the Board, and now here I am as ED.
I learned about health disparities when I was in grad school at UT and realized that all this good knowledge I was gaining through my education could really make a difference in my community. The Juneteenth Health Fest which I did from 2016 to 2018, was my first big project. However, I feel like my organizing ramped up into high gear when COVID-19 started. I got really involved, especially with CCU and CRT, because I know the Black & Brown community, my friends, neighbors, and the Mamas at BMATX were going to be hit hard in so many ways as a result of this pandemic. My involvement with CRT led to being a founding member of an amazing collaborative called the Maternal Health Equity Collaborative (MHEC). Between BMATX and MHEC, I feel like I’m really neck deep in a movement to shape a world where BIPOC families can thrive. Looking at all we’ve been through and continue to experience, Black women deserve to thrive, and my journey in this world of Maternal Health has given me the commitment to carry on this movement.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My obstacles and challenges have ranged from socioeconomic personal life challenges and racism. I’ve always had to work my way through everything. Racism has literally changed my career and education trajectory a couple of times on my path. Going through the challenges I experienced has affected my mental and physical health along the way, and that is why I am such an advocate for health, wellness, self and community/collective care. My obstacles have really informed my work and my sense of justice and freedom.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m the Executive Director of Black Mamas ATX, a community organizer, a creative artist, and a Blackademic.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
I’d say abundance, fulfillment and a thriving community. That sounds like success to me.
Contact Info:
- Website: blackmamasatx.com
- Instagram: @blackmamas_atx
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BlackMamasATX
- Twitter: @BlackMamasATX
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOymal8V_4Jysy9Q3dCoejg
Image Credits
Performance photo by Tiny Shark Media Juneteenth Health Fest photo by Cindy Elizabeth
