ALT: Cute Dog Smiling and Making Funny Faces

A 16-year-old Black girl, Juliana Nzita, missing since late April, was found dead hanging from a tree in Charlotte, North Carolina. The police, responding to a tip by a resident, classified her death as a suicide. Nzita had moved to North Carolina from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and was reported missing on April 28. Despite community efforts to search for her, the police found her body on May 8. Reports indicate that police received no feedback from her family, and the church near where she was found did not make any public statements.

The article discusses how doulas are addressing a maternal health crisis among Black women in Bakersfield, California. It highlights the significant disparities in maternal mortality rates, with Black women dying at a rate three times higher than white women. It features personal accounts from mothers who benefited from doula support during childbirth, emphasizing the emotional and physical assistance they provide. Doulas are described as vital advocates for mothers, helping navigate healthcare systems and ensuring birth plans are respected. The article also notes recent policy changes where California's Medi-Cal now covers doula services, aiming to improve access and outcomes in maternal care.