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AREI welcomed Jazmin Long, our first Activist-in-Residence, to the KSU campus during the Spring 2024 semester. Long, who serves as the President and CEO of (BBC), provides essential social support to Black women facing the highest risks of infant mortality during the perinatal period. Leading a team of nearly 50 doulas, Long and BBC have extended aid to over 700 families. Her leadership has been instrumental in securing more than $8.5 million in funding, forging partnerships with three Managed Care Organizations to facilitate doula services reimbursement, expanding operations into Summit County, and directing a campaign for the establishment of what will soon be Ohio’s only Black-owned free-standing birth center.

Throughout her residency, Jazmin guided us through various impactful events, including the screening of the film followed by a discussion panel. She also organized multiple networking luncheons, offered Continuing Education opportunities to Nursing faculty, collaborated with undergraduates on strategies to advance Black maternal health, and contributed to an Inter-Professional Educational Panel for graduate students in Public Health. Her deep knowledge and unwavering commitment to health equity enriched our community throughout her tenure. Read more about Jazmin’s residency at , Kent State Today, and .

We extend our gratitude for Jazmin for her exceptional service as our inaugural Activist-in-Residence, setting a strong precedent for this program. AREI also thanks our collaborators for their partnership in this endeavor: 

• Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute 
• Brain Health Research Institute
• College of Nursing
• College of Public Health
• Community Engaged Learning
• Design Innovation Hub
• Division of Research & Economic Development
• Environmental Science and Design Research Institute
• Healthy Communities Research Institute
• Women of Color Collective
• Women’s Center