Holistic healers are vital for several reasons. One is, that America’s traditional healthcare system holds a harmful and oppressive past concerning Black women’s maternal health.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Black women are almost three times more likely to experience maternal mortality compared to white women. African Americans and Native Americans also have the highest infant mortalities.
From 2018-2021, Black birthing women led with the highest maternal mortality rate, and Louisiana is one of the leading states. “Racial disparities exist… Many of the deaths were potentially preventable,” according to the Louisiana Department of Health.
Factors like lack of access to equitable healthcare, the lack of culturally competent healthcare workers, and environmental and medical racism create harm.
In addition, mortality rates for all women have risen year over year, with women between the ages of 25-39 facing the highest maternal mortalities.
With the concerns of the anti-rights agenda against gender equality, reproductive rights, and access to health care, holistic healers are historically and presently important.
The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Kelsie LaFontaine, a Louisiana Creole certified family Birth Doula and holistic healer, about community health, maternal health, and her journey as a multi-faceted business owner of Perspectives Appeal.
LaFontaine’s Journey: From Childhood Dreams to Community Healing
Raised in a Catholic-Creole family on Lafayette’s Northside, LaFontaine’s childhood interests intertwined. “Growing up, I always had a passion for fashion, community, and learning about adversity (different cultures). When I was little, I always wanted to be a pediatrician and help take care of babies and the little ones,” she said.
While a teenager, she worked in retail fashion and met people from various walks of life with different perspectives. She then combined her passion for community, healing, and fashion to birth Perspectives Appeal.
Her holistic health lifestyle boutique carries products and services for adults and children, including apparel, adornments, plant-based soaps, and more. “As I educate myself, I want to educate my peers as well. I want to introduce them to a healthy, conscious lifestyle. So, I guess you can say, my thirst for knowledge inspires me to keep going,” LaFontaine shared.
As a married mother of two, LaFontaine’s brand, products, and doula services focus on motherhood, parenthood, and community in Louisiana.
Aware of the health risks Black women face in hospitals, LaFontaine chose planned home births. She believes a dedicated support system, genuine love, and access to education are necessary for all birthing women.
“I wouldn’t say motherhood changed my perspective. I would say it shifted my perspective—- knowing what we know about maternal health care (in hospital settings) it has actually shifted more towards holistic maternal health care. When preparing to give birth, we must also view birth as a spiritual gift or spiritual sacrifice.” she said, “Through holistic maternal health, I have also learned how important postpartum care is. A woman’s pregnancy journey is not over once the baby is born. The journey is truly just beginning.”
Using Holistic Health to Help Remedy Communities
LaFontaine descends from a family of traiteurs. Traiteurs are faith-based healers in Louisiana’s Creole culture who help the troubled and sick through various African, Native American, and European practices.
These include making tea from indigenous plants, healing hands, intentional prayers, and more. Traiteurs have been around for centuries, and not every treater treats the same.
“I come from a lineage of Creole Traiteurs, as well as homemakers. Holistic healers are so important in today’s society because nothing is the same. Our foods, lifestyle products such as shampoo, and lotion, and even our air are contaminated with harmful chemicals.” LaFontaine said, “It is our mission to educate our community on what’s going on in and on our bodies. It is also our duty to facilitate a space of healing and rituals for the collective. As a collective, we endure a lot of generational trauma — this is where our healers assist in our emotional healing journey.”
LaFontaine is staying true to her traditional roots while adding a twist to her practice.
Her arsenal of holistic healing items includes various plant-based tea blends, healing elixirs, elderberry syrup, cold-pressed fruit juices, and more.
She also hosts monthly meditation workshops called Lunar Perspectives.
In addition, LaFontaine provides doula, oracle card counseling, and other holistic health services.
Her doula services include meal prepping, emotional support, couple support, fashion styling, herbal remedies, and more. In addition, LaFontaine provides this guidance from pre-natal to postpartum.
As a doula, she is concerned yet ready and prepared for the current social and political climate surrounding reproductive rights and maternal health.
But, even with the U.S. Supreme Court ruling to take away the constitutional rights of abortions and 17 states banning or restricting abortions, LaFontaine believes in being proactive.
“Black women are more likely to have their birth plans go wrong than right within the healthcare system. This is a result of systemic racism and obstetrical violence (OV). OV is when a woman is being violated of her human and reproductive rights. I would advise all birthing women to prioritize advocating for themselves and their partner and build a strong supportive birth team or community—- one that helps them navigate the challenges and ensures that their birthday plan goes as planned as much as possible,” LaFontaine expressed.
Connecting With the Community Through Holistic Health is Key
For LaFontaine, holistic health is not a buzzword term. It’s a mindset and actionable lifestyle that considers the connective whole.
Culturally competent doulas, advocates, midwives, community health workers, and support groups are vital for Black women through pregnancy.
Community organizations like Community Birth Companion and One Happy Mama support mothers throughout their journey.
Community Birth Companion is a grassroots birth justice nonprofit organization based in Opelousas that serves the Southern Louisiana area.
They offer breastfeeding circles, virtual Doula training, monthly Yoga sessions, and more. One Happy Mama is based in New Orleans and offers one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, holistic support services, and more.
To help continue the good fight, LaFontaine recently completed the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s 6-week Accelerate Northside Program.
She is determined to blossom her business and community endeavors beyond her vision and believes she has set the foundation for growth to bring her work to fruition.
LaFontaine leaves the people with a nugget of advice, “Always believe in yourself and do the work. The journey may be long, but as long as you believe in your vision and your plans — the universe and God will provide the rest of the way! Whether it’s a birth plan, business plan, or a life plan!”
Her message reminds us that whether pursuing personal or collective goals, resilience and belief in a better future are essential. Through her work, she embodies the transformative power of holistic healing in addressing systemic challenges.
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