Cleveland has the heartbreaking distinction of having one of the highest infant mortality rates for Black babies. Black infants in our city are 4.6 times more likely to die than white infants. Cleveland is also ranked worst in the nation for Black women, with Black mothers being 2.5 times more likely to die from pregnancy related causes than white mothers.

When one part of the body suffers, the whole body suffers. And so believing that we all have a part to play in the wellbeing of our community, Renovare embarked on a journey to use our musical gifts in service of Black infant and maternal vitality.

Renovare performing with spoken word poet "Vision". — *Renovare performing with spoken word poet “Vision.”*

Early this year we began reaching out to and building relationships with local organizations that are already involved in Black maternal and infant health. Over the course of many months, we had the privilege of meeting with community health workers, doulas, midwives, mothers, and a father to hear their stories and understand more about realities in our community. Along the way we co-wrote six Documentary Songs with six individuals who shared their stories with us. We call these individuals “story sources” in Documentary Songwriting. Using a step by step process, we are able to record the words of each story source and then shape them into a free verse poem. These words are then refined to becomes the lyrics of their song. We also work together with the story source to find rhythms, melodies, harmonies, and select the “vibe” of each song. This process allows the individual creativity of each story source to shine through in the completed song.

*Renovare performing with vocalist Aminah Vargas and story source Marlene Morris.*

We then curated an hour-long concert program that added narration, poetry, and instrumental music to complement each Documentary Song and create an immersive experience for people to learn in a deep and personal way about the challenges affecting our community. This past Saturday we gave the first performance of ‘Embrace,’ inviting our community to learn more about their neighbors.

After the performance we were joined by a panel of five awe-inspiring women who are experts in their field to learn more about why Cleveland’s realities are what they are, as well as what we can each do to make a change. Our panelists were:

Tenisha Gaines, Director of Operations at Village of Healing
Marie Jones, Director of Community Health Initiatives at the Neighborhood Leadership Institute
Da’na Langford, CEO & Medical Director at Village of Healing
Leah Ross, Executive Director at New City CLE
LaTanisha White, Community Engagement Specialist at Birthing Beautiful Communities

Panelists from Renovare's Embrace Concert series that focuses on infant and maternal mortality in Cleveland. — *From left to right: Dr. Nyemba (moderator), and panelists Marie Jones, Leah Ross, Tenisha Gaines, Da’na Langford, and LaTanisha White.*

Dr. Vatreisha Nyemba, Director of Leader and Community Development at Building Hope in the City, was our moderator, helping connect different threads of thought and bring the audience into the conversation.

We are so grateful for our incredible panelists and for our story sources - Tim and Brittany Pope, Marie Jones, Marlene Morris, Te’Sheba Oliver, and Colleen Schroeder - who bravely shared their stories with us. They honored and blessed us and our community by trusting us with their experiences.

We are also grateful for the talented artists who worked with us to help bring these stories to life - spoken word poet Vision (aka Nailah Muhammad), and vocalists Aminah Vargas, Daniel McElroy, and Salina Turner - and for our partner organization Building Hope in the City and hosting venue Cove City Church for making Saturday’s event happen.

Stay tuned for reprise dates - ‘Embrace’ is coming back in 2024! Let’s continue to learn how we can embrace and support our community together.