292: Shades of Blue Project - Kay Matthews

On this week's episode of The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast, we welcome Kay Matthews - founder and Executive Director of the Shades of Blue Project, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming maternal mental health care for all women, with a focus on Black and Brown mothers.

Kay's mission was born out of unimaginable loss. In 2013, shortly after the stillbirth of her daughter, Troya Simone, Kay - then the successful owner of Extraordinary Cakes and Catering - shifted into full-time advocacy for mothers. What began as a nonprofit called BabyCakes and Brunch grew into the Shades of Blue Project. As she built the organization, Kay came to understand she was far from alone in her experience: Black maternal and infant morbidity rates were only worsening, and the mental health support systems meant to help Black and Brown mothers were often non-existent, poorly managed, or resulted in devastating outcomes.

That reality spurred Kay to create the I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Method Training, a compassion-based training model built specifically for women of color and minorities, used by doulas, midwives, clinicians, and support group facilitators. She also launched Black Maternal Mental Health Week (BMMHW), held annually from July 19-25, a week-long event confronting the challenges that persist while spotlighting viable solutions, community support, and compassion training - anchored by a two-day summit, a community brunch, and a 3K Family Walk.

As a fierce advocate for women and mothers, Kay has helped shape national policy. She also contributed to the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation's Raising the Bar framework, helping the healthcare sector embed equity into its work. After a decade in the field, Kay is a highly sought-after speaker, having delivered keynotes and served on panels for organizations including the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2020 MOM, and the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs.

Kay's expertise made her a lead author of the 2021 Health Affairs research article on equitable, maternal mental health care, and a contributor to a related study published in Frontiers. She's the author of two books - 365 Days to Recovery: Finding Your Way Out of the Darkness (2017) and the daily journal Recovery State of Mind (2018) - and her advocacy has been featured in the Texas Tribune, the Houston Chronicle, and on ABC, CBS, and NBC affiliates. She serves on the boards of organizations including Black Mamas Matter Alliance, 2020 MOM, and PUSH for Empowered Pregnancy, and was recently appointed Leadership Community Chair of a PCORI-funded project focused on reducing toxic stress and advancing maternal mental health equity.

Kay holds an associate's degree in Early Child Care Education and is a licensed community health care worker. She shares everyday life with her husband, Troy, and their dog, Duke.

In this episode, you'll hear:
✨ How the loss of her daughter, Troya Simone, became the catalyst for Kay's life's work;
✨ Her shift from successful entrepreneur to full-time maternal health advocate;
✨ The creation of the I.N.S.P.I.R.E. Method Training and why compassion-based care matters;
✨ Inside Black Maternal Mental Health Week and the community it brings together every July;
✨ Why Kay believes this work matters for all mothers, not just Black and Brown mothers;
✨ Her research, published books, and life beyond the advocacy;
✨ Her reflections on grief, purpose, and building a movement from personal loss;
✨ And so much more!

Kay Matthews is a 1 Girl Revolution! Listen/watch her story today!

Connect with Shades of Blue Project:
Website: shadesofblueproject.org
Instagram: @shadesofblueproject
Facebook: facebook.com/sobproject
YouTube: youtube.com/@shadesofblueproject

Listen/Watch + Subscribe: Listen to and watch The 1 Girl Revolution Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.

✨ Join the movement to empower women and girls - and change the world, one story at a time. For more information, visit 1GirlRevolution.com