MILWAUKEE — A group of Milwaukee women is making a powerful impact in maternal health—not by simply delivering babies, but by delivering hope.

Maternally Strong, a collective of doulas, is stepping up to support new mothers, especially in areas where the health care system often falls short.

For many new parents, the postpartum period is supposed to be filled with joy. But for many mothers of color, it is often marked by silence, stigma, and struggle. That’s why these four local doulas on Milwaukee’s North Side are rewriting that narrative.

Though it might seem small, the space they’ve created is making a huge impact. Here, healing begins not with medicine but with conversation.

“We need a space for Black and Brown women to come together and feel comfortable in what they’re saying and how they’re feeling,” said Shanna Franklin, one of the doulas.

TMJ4

Postpartum depression is a serious health concern that disproportionately affects minority women. For these mothers, it’s not just a statistic—it’s a crisis.

“Being able to have somebody along that journey who truly understands what it looks like from beginning to end is something you can’t duplicate,” said Michelle Wilkins, another member of the collective.

TMJ4

Maternally Strong was formed by four CAPPA-certified doulas. Their focus is on postpartum mental health, offering free support groups specifically for Black and Brown families.

“We know there are cultural differences within communities, and we just wanted to create a space where people feel welcome and comfortable,” said Brandi Jewell.

TMJ4

“Everybody needs somebody, especially Black and Brown people who don’t have a lot of support. So being able to be that in a room where they may have nobody is a very pivotal moment,” Wilkins said.

The weekly gatherings blend culturally relevant care with a sense of community. New parents are encouraged to open up about the anxiety, depression and isolation that are often ignored in the maternal experience.

Maternally Strong

“Postpartum isn’t really talked about as much. It’s like, ‘Okay, you’re having a baby—congrats! How’s the baby?’ They don’t really talk about you and what’s going on with you,” said Kiara Schott.

TMJ4

Franklin agreed, noting, “It’s hard to be heard in that room. A lot of the time, they are only focused on what they see to be a good outcome.”

But it’s working. Dozens of families have found healing while helping shape a broader conversation around maternal health and equity.

“We’ve all had different experiences throughout our pregnancy and postpartum, and we were able to come up with the group and really pour into it from a lived experience,” Wilkins said.

TMJ4

Their goal is to expand these free support groups, reaching more families who need this care.

“Come out, spend some time with our women. It’s a very good energy,” Franklin said.

In a world where maternal health disparities are real, Maternally Strong is not just a group of doulas—they’re a lifeline, offering support, care and a sense of community where it’s most needed.

Here are some of their upcoming free events:

Maternally Strong Doulas

Maternally Strong Doulas

TMJ4

Advertisement

For more information, visit Maternally Strong at 9211 W. Capitol Drive, Milwaukee, WI 53222.

It’s about time to watch on your time. Stream local news and weather 24/7 by searching for “TMJ4” on your device.

Available for download on Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and more.

Report a typo or error // Submit a news tip

• The Milwaukee Bucks are struggling due to injuries, suspensions, and questionable roster moves.
• The team’s recent performance has been disappointing, with a lack of energy and a string of losses.
• Despite Giannis Antetokounmpo’s MVP-caliber play, the Bucks face an uphill battle to avoid another first-round playoff exit.

Giannis Antetokounmpo has put the Milwaukee Bucks on his back before, to save the day.

But trailing the Atlanta Hawks 104-85 midway through the third quarter Sunday night, Antetokounmpo drove to the basket, was blocked on a close-range shot and was not rewarded with a foul. Looking around in disbelief, he took an uncharacteristic one-second break before getting back on defense.

Nine seconds later, the Bucks called time out and Antetokounmpo took a few seconds more to put his hands on his knees and stare down at the court, alone with his thoughts, before joining his mates at the bench.

Totally understandable. How can this be anything other than frustrating?

The Bucks have fallen two places in the Eastern Conference standings since March 15, lost two straight at home, four straight overall and 6 of their last 10 − but pointing out their many shortcomings feels like kicking a wounded animal. Maybe it is just this simple: Damian Lillard is out indefinitely with a terrifying blood clot, Bobby Portis is serving a suspension for his poor judgment until April 8, his backup Jericho Sims is hurt and AJ Green is hurt. The Bucks are severely undermanned.

But when the Bucks found a unique and mysterious way to lose as they did Sunday to Atlanta − shooting 69% at the half and still trailing, and then losing, to the fast-breaking Hawks − Milwaukee’s red flags are now raised and waving, with coach Doc Rivers trying everything to rally his guys.

“You try to build guys up and you try to teach them,” Rivers said Sunday. “We watched a long film today. It wasn’t necessarily the most positive film, because it showed all our mistakes, but it is positive if you take it as a teacher and as, we have to get better at these things. That’s how I made it. It wasn’t a screaming thing; it was just matter of fact. Things we have to do.

“And I stopped and asked, am I right? Do you see this? And guys were very engaging, and they talk, but then we came out and (lost to Atlanta).”

How did they get here?

Absent Bobby Portis leaves a big hole

A year ago, he was a heavy contender for the NBA sixth man of the year. In 2021 and 2022, he saved the Bucks while Brook Lopez underwent back surgery and missed significant time.

Now Portis is grounded for taking an unapproved medication, and is sitting out 25 games on unpaid leave because of it. His energy is missed.

Antetokounmpo said recently the Bucks have to play scrappy, gritty, defensive basketball, because regardless of talent level and interchanging parts, it is the one thing any competitor can fall back on.

Portis would have helped in this area as the scrappiest of all. Instead, he’s not available for his teammates.  Portis was also the kind of leader to call BS when he saw it. He would fire up the home crowd. The NBA is not at fault for his suspension. This is on Portis.

Some of Jon Horst’s moves have been questionable

The Bucks general manager began blowing up this team a little less than two years ago. When Jimmy Butler and the Miami Heat destroyed Milwaukee in the first round of the NBA playoffs, Horst fired coach Mike Budenholzer – who had won the NBA title just two years earlier.

Then Horst was responsible for the debacle of hiring Adrian Griffin with great pep rally-like fanfare, before dumping him months later and making the midseason hire of Rivers in 2024. The Bucks lost in the first round of the playoffs again.

It would be shortsighted to lay all of the Bucks woes the past two years on Horst. But he does share responsibility.

He drafted 19-year-old AJ Johnson, who was too inexperienced to help the Bucks in any way this season, so Horst subsequently dealt Johnson in a trade in February. 

And then there’s this about Horst’s decisions with the coaching changes:

• Budenholzer had two years and $16 million left on his contract when he was fired.
• Griffin had a multi-year contract worth approximately $4 million per season.
• Rivers is scheduled to make $40 million through 2026-27.

More: The Bucks owe around $18 million to three head coaches this season, which is historically high

The owners will have to determine if the Bucks look any better for it?

The Bucks haven’t caught any breaks

There are other issues that stand out, too. Lots of roster turnover and little time to gel. Half a dozen close losses by two or three points; too many games where the Bucks have trailed early and had to fight to come from behind. That might just indicate the team doesn’t have what it takes to meet outside expectations.

Another kick in the teeth is that Sunday was the first of five games for the Bucks in seven days this week, and that includes travel to Philadelphia, Miami and New Orleans to make up for a snow out. What a dismal way to follow up a recent West Coast trip at the end of the season when everyone already is exhausted.

To withstand an NBA schedule that is more grueling than the NFL’s and more demanding than MLB’s, a team simply needs a disaster plan B, C and D. Milwaukee looks like it bet everything on Giannis and Dame.

Disinterested parties make for a bad look

Sunday night’s crowd, which had many celebrations for Pride Night, had little else to cheer about. The Bucks gave up 118 points to Atlanta in the first three quarters, smothering their own impressive offensive output.

It was so flat at times in Fiserv Forum that a fan at the end of the third quarter could be heard as clear as day shouting: “Let’s go! We have a whole other quarter!”

There have been gaps of empty seats at Fiserv Forum all season long. Nothing to cause alarm, but noticeable, nonetheless.

It’s hard to remember the last time Antetokounmpo was on the court with 3 minutes left in the game, fighting for his life and his team’s comeback attempt while disinterested spectators headed toward the aisles and streamed for the exits like they did Sunday.

By the time Antetokounmpo finished his postgame workout and treatment, and addressed questions from the media, the handful of reporters who had been there to cover the whole game had shrunk to just two.

Even in the darkest days in Green Bay, the Packers draw so much interest that losses are covered and analyzed ad nauseam because fan interest demands it.

Antetokounmpo doesn’t deserve this. He’s played another season at MVP-caliber status. He’s played tough and smart, taking essential-only days off when needed to stay healthy. He’s the heartbeat of the team, the backbone of its drive, the leader in every way. And with so many roles that he fills already, now he’s traffic cop as well, directing new teammates to the spots where they are supposed to be on offense and defense.

Just three years after the Bucks were in a ferocious playoff war with the Boston Celtics to try to defend their NBA championship title, they are now faced with the most unthinkable task of all.

Trying to find a way to not lose in the first round of the NBA playoffs once again.

“We’ve just got to come in and have pride,” Kyle Kuzma said. “And take criticism constructively. Be better than we were. The best thing about this league is we always play another game …

“At least now. In the regular season. So we got another chance to get back on track.”

MILWAUKEE – Brewers fans may not have been feeling lovely after the Brewers’ loss to the Kansas City Royals for the home opener on Monday, March 31, 2025, but love was still in the air.

Meet Joey Fischer and Amanda Veit.

Joey got down on one knee while they were tailgating earlier this afternoon.

The couple has been together two years, but it’s actually their third year coming to the home opener together.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android

Fischer says he’s been planning it since January, but as for his now fiancée, she told FOX6 this was a total surprise.

And they were not the only couple, as another couple got engaged in front of the Bob Uecker statue.