In December 2023, Ieshia Lee received the Vital Village Networks Unsung Hero Award for her outstanding leadership as an advocate for children and communities. She wears many hats, fulfilling different roles and capacities. She is a mom of six, a doula, a lactation counselor, an intensive care coordinator, a mediator, and has recently started her own business called Amanté WhileLaboring.
In our recent conversation with Ieshia, she shared an overview of all the valuable work she does within her community. To highlight a few, she participated in the United Against Race program with Mass General Brigham Hospital as a doula. She is also a certified participating doula through DONA International. She is currently getting a certification with Mama Glow as a Childbirth Educator.
Adriana Cordero Raines describes community connection as a group of individuals who have a common goal and purpose, come together intentionally, and, despite their differences, decide on something they want to improve or have an impact on.
“Community to me is a feeling… I walk into a Vital Village event and I belong there. So that feeling that this is your tribe. [They are] your people and you can relate to them.”
Although people in positions of power, such as political figures, are important because they help us move initiatives forward, Adriana recognizes the true power that lies with individuals and community members and their lived experiences. And because every individual has different experiences and priorities, when coming together with a common goal, it’s important to “organize, prioritize, and have a strategic structure on how to get there.”
Adriana is an Afro-Latina woman and the founder and CEO of a consultancy practice of 10 years, and she has been affiliated with Vital Village Networks for many years. In December 2023, she received the Unsung Hero Innovation Award for innovative leadership in service to children and families.
