African American Babies Coalition and Projects
Promoting healthy development of African American babies across the Twin Cities
The African American Babies Coalition and Projects (AABC) at Wilder is a group of African American community leaders committed to preventing the achievement gap by translating brain development and healthy child development practices into African American family and community life. Committed to racial equity, Wilder partners with African American community stakeholders who promote the healthy development of African American babies across the Twin Cities. African American Babies Coalition (AABC) and Projects shares brain science and early childhood development research in a culturally relevant and accessible way.
Contact:
Sameerah Bilal-Roby
Founder & Director of African American Babies Coalition & Projects
800-550-7195 | sameerah.bilal-roby@wilder.org
www.aabcprojects.org
Thank you to all of the partners and guests for participating in the Black and Brown Birthing Summit September 15-16, 2021. Please see below for a graphic report out from the event, which includes notes and key takeaways from our presenters and special guests. Thank you for supporting the health of Black and Brown mothers and babies!
This campaign seeks to make sure that African American families are aware that early traumatic experiences (also known as Adverse Childhood Experiences) can short circuit young brain development.
Through participatory research, AABC developed 15 Key Factors for parenting and fostering healthy brain development. The factors were implemented in two guides (Living Room Conversations and Kickin’ It conversations) for adults and youth respectively, and are key tools in AABC's work.
Along with these and other efforts, AABC partnered with Twin Cities Public Television (TPT) to produce 10 educational videos about key factors impacting babies’ brain development and parent child interactions through age 7. “Brains Are Built” won a 2017 Upper Midwest Emmy Award.
For more information call 1-800-550-7195 to speak with the Brains Are Built Coordinator.
Are you pregnant or a new mom/parent?
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AABC Team
Sameerah Bilal-Roby
Mrs. Bilal-Roby was born and raised by three generations of Minnesotans. Sameerah has an education from Metropolitan State University (St. Paul, MN) in Adult Training and Development, and Early Childhood Education.
Theresa Lloyd
Theresa Lloyd is the senior administrative coordinator for the African American Babies Coalition and Projects. Theresa started at the Wilder Foundation in November 2017 as the senior account technician for Financial Services, and transitioned into her current role in February 2022. She…
Sheilla Matanhire
Sheilla Matanhire joined Wilder in July 2016 as an administrative volunteer with the Adult Day Health program and was later hired as the program’s administrative specialist. This position was Sheilla’s first job in the U.S. after migrating from Africa in 2014. In 2021 Sheilla took on the…
Keisha Mitchell
Keisha Mitchell is the project manager for the African American Babies Coalition and Projects (AABC). Originally from Gary, Indiana, Keisha joined Wilder in September 2021 and currently resides in Apple Valley, Minnesota, with her husband. She has 17 years of experience in the financial…