Using Your Voice and Advocating for Your Own Healthcare
Longstanding racial bias, lack of health care, poor living conditions and a toxic atmosphere add to the everyday divide that has caused a maternal crisis among women of color. Community Advocate and Urban Mommy Inc founder Monique Norington-Joseph will discuss her personal maternal health crisis and steps she used to navigate the health care system and reasons why it is important to bring about substantial change and awareness to this health care crisis that disproportionately impacts women of color.
Current Speaker(s) for this session:
Monique Norington-Joseph
At the core of Monique Joseph lies her ability to give selflessly and motivate others to pursue their highest level of ability. She takes great pride in helping others to achieve their dream of success in business, build strong families and children and giving back to the communities that helped to inspire her.
After receiving the 2006 Dr. Barbara Sizemore Leadership and Service Award, and being a 2006 Vincentian Fellow, she has continuously been inspired by the Vincentian mission to serve the poor. In 2008, she launched a public relations and marketing firm The Marque Group, LLC., working across private, nonprofit, government and B2B sectors. She has represented some of today’s leading icons in entertainment, politics and business. She earned several business awards for her work in this field. As an organizer and community leader she launched new initiatives. She became the founding President of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity Alumni chapter in Portland, Oregon, developed the Society of Leaders Emerging for High school students and served on several boards and business committees for the City of Portland. One of her greatest achievements was being nominated and elected as a 2012 Delegate to the Democratic National Convention representing the State of Oregon. She also served as the 43rd precinct committee person and was appointed to the Governor’s Advisory board serving African-American children and education. Becoming a new mom in 2013, she saw an unmet need and launched UrbanMommyInc, an online organization that focuses on building healthy lifestyles, early childhood literacy and community for new mothers. Her work in this area helped her to receive a nomination and recognition as a 2016 White House Change Maker Award in Washington, DC.
After the birth of her daughter she would soon begin her greatest work of affirming a strong, powerful and fearless daughter. She wanted to instill a passion for education, reading, loving herself and life. While operating both businesses, she launched Joseph House Books and published her first children’s book in 2017. She has become a leading advocate in developing early childhood education initiatives in underrepresented communities and fiercely promoting the advantages of diversity in early development learning. Her passion for fighting on behalf of children and African-American families motivates her each day to always strive for excellence, support others and serve fiercely. Monique says, “my work is not finished until the playing field is even for all children and families in underrepresented communities.”
After relocating to Phoenix, Arizona she quickly became involved in serving the community. She was an Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University, a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the State of Arizona, a member of The Jack and Jill of America, Phoenix , AZ Chapter where she served as the Public Relations and Community Chair and currently serves as the Legislative Chair. In addition, she is a member of The Junior League of Phoenix and serves on several boards. Monique shares her life with her husband Sheldon and six-year-old daughter Zoie. She continues to advocate for organizations that serve women and children. She enjoys photography, writing and her new-found love, boxing