10 to Watch: Joy Spencer of Equity Before Birth
Joy Spencer is the Executive Director of Equity Before Birth and is part of the current 10 to Watch Class from United Way of the Greater Triangle. Joy shares about her role at EBB and the importance of maternal healthcare and support. Joy is a 2020 Leadership Triangle Goodmon Fellow.
We need to revive the pipeline of BIPOC folx administering healthcare services and support.
Owen Jordan: What’s your story?
Joy Spencer: Whew. My story. Let’s just say I am glad that I do not look like what I have been through. I am from a poverty-stricken household, born and raised in rural, eastern NC. I have experience navigating multiple systems (social services, homelessness, domestic violence, etc.) and I also have top-tier resilience. Throughout my life, I have been able to beat all odds and continue to reach my goals and realize my dreams. If I were to succumb to the stereotypical narrative society laid out for me, I would not have attended or graduated from college, excelled in my career, or had a successful delivery of my sweet baby girl. My passion is driven by my experiences — I am compelled to help people succeed against all odds.
Owen Jordan: Can you tell us about your role with Equity Before Birth? Are you the founder?
Joy Spencer: I am the Executive Director of Equity Before Birth. While I did not establish or found this organization I did help transform it. I was able to deeply impact the policies, procedures, and organizational culture. I am proud of our efforts to remain rooted in the community and responsive to the needs of those we serve. I found myself in this role, serendipitously. I was in need of employment and was offered the position of my dreams — an opportunity to serve and empower Black moms and birthing people who, like myself, would benefit from additional support. In my role, I help ensure we are putting the needs of families first while filling critical gaps left by our government and healthcare system. We increase access to critical pregnancy-related services, education and support to improve birth outcomes and experiences. We focus on serving Black and BIPOC mamas and birthing people to help eliminate disparities.
Owen Jordan: What’s a moment from your work that felt like a big success for the mission?
Joy Spencer: Sponsoring our first home birth through supporting a family through obtaining holistic midwifery services felt like a huge win because we had the ability to give a mama the birthing experience she dreamed of and desired. This is extremely important as usually, a birthing person’s choice in the hospital or nothing (negligent care). There is one Black-owned midwifery clinic in the state and we were able to pour into their work while optimizing a family’s birth experience. Both mom and baby are healthy and happy. That is why we are doing this work.
Owen Jordan: What brought you to 10 to Watch?
Joy Spencer: I admire many of the leaders who were a part of the last cohort and I was compelled to apply so that I could receive similar coaching and training. Last year United Way & Leadership Triangle supported some excellent leaders with super impactful organizations.
Owen Jordan: What’s your dream for Equity Before Birth and maternal healthcare?
Joy Spencer: My dream for maternal healthcare is to see Black medical providers, health advocates, health educators, and other support workers thriving and able to serve families in a community-rooted and culturally affirming way with abundant resources to do so. We need to revive the pipeline of BIPOC folx administering healthcare services and support. My dream for Equity Before Birth is that we are able to expand our model across the state to increase our ability to serve even more families while shifting our work to be responsive to other community asks because we will have less need for paid leave and financial assistance. My dream is that all families have everything they need to live the way they envision will enable their families to flourish.
Owen Jordan: What were some big takeaways you took from Transforming Leaders?
Joy Spencer: My big takeaway was to continue to lean on my community. I am not alone in how I feel or the challenges I face and I am not alone in doing the work to make the world a better place. I am proud to be among such wonderful leaders in the Triangle and beyond.
If you’d like to support Joy and Equity Before Birth’s mission, send her an email at joy@equitybeforebirth.org or visit their website https://www.equitybeforebirth.org.
