Community Trailblazer Spotlight: Dameta Wright

Last year, Hamilton County saw the fewest number of Black infant deaths on record. This came as a community of partners focused squarely on improving a longstanding racial disparity in birth outcomes. Many of these efforts were led by Black women. Over the next several weeks, we will be highlighting the stories of nine of these women. Read on to learn about Dameta Wright from Health Care Access Now. 

Dameta Wright believes that healthy and well-resourced women are crucial to the growth and sustainability of communities. When women are well and cared for, the whole community has a better chance to thrive. 

As Hub Director for Health Care Access Now (HCAN), Dameta is responsible for building and maintaining relationships with care coordination agencies in the region to eliminate barriers to access to healthcare for some of the most vulnerable members of the community. Each of those agencies employs a team of community health workers (CHWs) who collaborate with social and healthcare partners to support women before, during and after pregnancy. Through her work, Dameta sees the positive impact of organizations and individuals coming together to help women improve their quality of life. By connecting women to CHWs, mothers are empowered to define their needs—whether that’s help with breastfeeding, smoking cessation or navigating the complexities of the health care system—and are able to access needed resources like cribs, diapers and even stable housing as they care for themselves and their families. 

During this challenging time of COVID-19, Dameta and her colleagues continue to find creative ways to serve and support families. With proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and social distance, CHWs have continued to deliver items like: PPE, baby supplies and bus passes. Through teleconference and phone calls, CHWs have continued to provide the support moms need and have helped lessen the feelings of isolation during this time 

As a board member of Queens Village, a community group of Black women aimed at mitigating stress and isolation in communities in order to close the disparity gap in infant mortality, Dameta has been a part of connecting Black women to one another in order to amplify Black women’s voices, create visibility around infant mortality and maternal health and to celebrate their amazing lived experiences.

Queens Village uses a variety of creative means to fuel members’ spirits, minds and bodies—including yoga and mindfulness sessions that Dameta leads. “I practiced yoga and mindfulness for many years before deciding to become a yoga teacher. What I noticed most about almost all of the classes I attended was that there was almost never anyone who looked like me in them. That had to change. That feeling was the biggest driver behind my decision to teach.”

Since joining Queens Village, Dameta has led sessions in the communities where Black women were most in need of stress relief and community connection and removed the barriers of cost and childcare by making classes free for participants. Most recently, Queens Village has made yoga and mindfulness practices available online for Black women in Cincinnati. “Whether we are in person or online, Black women require exclusive space to connect so they can unapologetically be themselves. While I am able to teach techniques like conscious breathing, meditation and mindful yoga movement, it is the community of Black women in the space that makes the difference. Being connected to others is what builds resilience, mitigates stress and feelings of isolation.”

Through her professional and personal commitments, Dameta is using her voice to make the future of Black women in Cincinnati better.

Dameta's advice for new moms: An easy pregnancy is not the norm for most women, especially Black women. Even with the care of professionals, Black women are at increased risk and worry more about the future during this time. HCAN is ready to help pregnant women eliminate barriers to the care and resources they need. Queens Village is the place for all Black women to connect, find support and celebration of their unique selves. 

To get connected to a Community Health Worker, call 2-1-1. Follow @QueensVillageCincinnati on Facebook and Instagram to connect with other Black women in Cincinnati.