“Compelled by my own journey into motherhood and those of other Black women in my life, this documentary is my act of service to give voice, drive change, and build community by highlighting our collective stories, too often obscured behind stark statistics.” - Julia Areh
Keisha Reaves and Julia Areh, the dynamic duo behind the forthcoming documentary on black maternal health, embarked on this transformative journey inspired by the poignant narratives shared on Keisha's influential podcast, Push Thru. As the host of Push Thru became a platform for black mothers to share their unique stories, shedding light on the challenges and triumphs within the realm of maternal health.
It was Julia Areh who recognized the profound impact these stories could have beyond the realm of podcasting. Encouraging Keisha to amplify these voices on a larger scale, Julia envisioned a documentary that would transcend audio storytelling and bring these narratives to the big screen. Recognizing the urgency and importance of addressing the disparities faced by black mothers in healthcare, the duo joined forces to initiate a project that would not only tell powerful stories but also advocate for change.
Keisha and Julia's collaboration seamlessly transitioned Push Thru from the airwaves to the cinematic realm. With a shared commitment to amplifying the voices of black mothers, their documentary aims to elevate awareness about the challenges faced by black mothers in the healthcare system. Beyond shedding light on disparities, the project seeks to be a catalyst for societal change, fostering support networks and paving the way for black families to experience the joy that should accompany the journey of motherhood.
Together, Keisha Reaves and Julia Areh are not only crafting a documentary but forging a movement. By bringing black maternal health to the forefront, they are working towards creating a future where every black mother's voice is heard, where support is abundant, and where black families can thrive with the joy they deserve. Through their collaboration, Keisha and Julia are driving change, challenging the status quo, and inspiring a collective push for a more equitable and compassionate maternal healthcare system.
Keisha Reaves
Executive Producer
Keisha Reaves is a licensed professional counselor. She is a Georgia native that has witnessed the stigma of mental health and has made it her mission to normalize therapy. She has been in the mental health field for more than sixteen years. Keisha is certified in perinatal mental health serving birthing parents who are trying to conceive, have fertility issues, have experienced infant loss, transitioning into parenthood as well as perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. She has volunteered with Northside Hospital’s Infant Loss/Bereavement Group. She served three years on the Postpartum Support International Georgia Chapter Board as the Training Coordinator and currently volunteers as an educator to providers treating birthing parents in their practices. Keisha currently is a facilitator for the Mocha Moms Group at the Atlanta Birth Center and she facilitates her own Black Moms group through Push Thru Therapy. Black maternal mental health and reproductive education is a strong passion of hers as she was a founding coordinator and presenter for the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit for PSI-Georgia. Providing access to resources and providing mental health services to women of color is a mission of Keisha’s. She likes training providers on perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, educating them on implicit bias and teaching them how to become more culturally competent in order to better serve birthing parents.
Keisha has spoken at various conferences and recently presented on Mental Health and Infertility for Black Birthing Parents at the 2022 PSI International Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. And she also was a keynote speaker for the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition of Georgia Conference in October 2022. She has also been featured on Life Therapy on CleoTv with AJ Johnson as a perinatal mental health expert. Keisha has also served as a panelist for Essence Wellness House speaking on black maternal health. Keisha is currently completing a fellowship with Emory University with the Psychoanalytic Institute.
Keisha resides in Atlanta, Georgia and is a mother of two. Learn More about Keisha here.
Julia Areh
Executive Producer
Julia Areh (she/her) is the CEO of Julia Areh Consulting and the creator of EquiTee365 merchandise line. She is DEIB champion, Speaker and People Coach who is passionate about helping people learn to unlearn and thrive. She has developed, supported, and guided teams in the non-profit, academia, government, and corporate sectors.
Julia is a change agent who helps leaders and organizations solve challenges and navigate processes. She is applauded for her relatability and her ability to connect with diverse audiences. She has been a guest speaker for numerous organizations and has facilitated capacity building activities for public, non-profit and private sector companies. She has also been featured in several media outlets (newspaper, podcast, and magazine).
Julia’s most valuable business lesson is to always make business about the people. This lesson served as her guiding principle in her former Vice President and Director leadership roles. Julia earned a Master of Public Administration from Troy University, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of West Georgia, and a Diversity and Inclusion certification from Cornell University.
Julia resides in the Atlanta metropolitan area with her husband and two children. Learn more about Julia here.
Why is maternal health important to you?
This is not an us problem, but an OUR problem.