Jamilah Robinson with Missing Pieces

Intro: Broadcasting live from the Business RadioX studios in Houston, Texas. It’s time for Houston Business Radio. Now, here’s your host.

Trisha Stetzel: Hello, Houston. Trisha Stetzel here bringing you another episode of Houston Business Radio Serving the Community. Series. I am very excited to have a guest back on the show. We spoke just about a year ago, and she’s got a lot going on with her organization. I’d love to introduce you to Jamilahh Robinson, who is the founder, one of the founders of Missing Pieces Support Group. Jamilahj, welcome to the show.

Jamilah Robinson: Thank you, Tricia, for having me back. And I can’t believe it’s already been a year. But you know, time flies. That’s right. Having fun?

Trisha Stetzel: Absolutely. Well, in October is a very special month for your organization. So first I would love for you to introduce yourself. Tell us a little bit about you and then how you got involved in the organization and where this organization is going this year, because you’ve got some really exciting events coming up.

Jamilah Robinson: Sure. Thanks. Um, so about me, I have a family. Uh, I married my college sweetheart, uh, almost 14 years ago. As of two days from now. And, um, we have a ten year old son and a four year old daughter. In between those two wonderful, adorable kids, I experienced a recurrent miscarriage back in 2018. Um, at that time, I was an entrepreneur. Still am an entrepreneur, uh, that owns a marketing firm that now specializes in helping nonprofits after becoming a nonprofit leader. And, um, When it happened the first time, it was very traumatic. Like I’d heard of miscarriage, but nobody really knows what it is. And until you go through it. Um, so my experience was traumatic because, you know, not only after you hear your baby no longer has a heartbeat, you have to figure out what to do next. But, um, I had to be rushed to the emergency room because of so much fluid loss. And so, um, you know, I tried to process those emotions, but then I put my head back down and went to work. Uh, several months later, though, we found ourselves pregnant again, and, uh, at seven weeks, lost that pregnancy. Uh, that second pregnancy spiraled me into depression.

Jamilah Robinson: Tricia. And, um, you know, there was nothing really, uh, tangible that was able to to help me, uh, from a mindset Set experience. Um, I was just down and disappointed and, uh, felt helpless. Um, fortunately, I was able to connect with the pregnancy loss support group resource through Bo’s Place. They are local here in Houston, Texas near NRG, and they support all types of grief. Um, but I’m so thankful that they had one specifically for pregnancy loss because in that support group, I was able to find a safe space with other women who had gone through something similar to to my pregnancy loss experience. And we found so much commonality in our stories that it created this unique and quick bond where we were able to just be transparent and share without people stepping on our feelings or feeling triggered because, um, you know, people that go through this or don’t encounter pregnancy loss. Um, often, sometimes say things that could could cause someone who is going through it to spiral. So, um, fast forward a year from that seven week experience, it’s still meeting with those several of those ladies in the support group that I had met because we were friends now.

Jamilah Robinson: And, you know, we watched each other get pregnant again and watched each other’s kids grow all of the things. And I reached back out and said, hey, I want to, um, do something to support this, um, community we found ourselves in because of pregnancy loss. Um, we were all very aware of how little and scarce resources there were, uh, to help with, uh, with grief and, um, life after suffering a loss like this. And, um, so that that resonated with several of the ladies, um, and two of them said yes to the opportunity. And then I connected with the third, um, of our founding members, um, through, um, my church, who I knew had had a stillbirth. And she was in the very late stages of her pregnancy, about to have a baby shower. And, um, they lost the baby. Um, and she said yes to the call as well. So back in 2021, we were able to connect with a nonprofit attorney who helped us, filed the right paperwork to become a nonprofit. Uh, and we work with the name Missing Pieces Support Group, uh, because there is a small missing piece when when you go through a loss like this.

Trisha Stetzel: That’s beautiful.

Jamilah Robinson: And I could I could go on forever. But what what was the other question that you asked or tied to that?

Trisha Stetzel: It’s okay. I appreciate you sharing that story. And it’s so meaningful. And I remember when we had had you on last year, there were so many people that reached out to me that said, thank you for having this show on, and I know that it will touch others, and I appreciate that you built this community or this family of women, and you were able to found Missing Pieces support group, which is out there. And so, by the way, if anyone’s listening and you haven’t, um, and you don’t know Jamilah and you don’t know anything about this particular organization, you can find it online at Missing Pieces Support group.org and look for more information out there. So Jamilah I would like to talk about the events that you have coming up because those are going to be happening in October. And October happens to be a very special month as well. So tell us about that.

Jamilah Robinson: Yes, October is our month for pregnancy loss. Uh, it happens to be pregnancy loss and infant uh, Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness month. And so we have, um, some community related events to, um, you know, not only bring in those who have encountered pregnancy loss so that they do see visible visual support of those who have gone through it and have navigated that grief journey, but also an event that will bring in, um, supporters of a community that have not gone through it but can empathize and want to show their support. So the first event that we have in October is Sunday, October 13th, uh, at at 6:30 p.m. at Bell Park. We will be hosting a wave of light event. Wave of light is a national holiday that is essentially a candlelight vigil. Uh, it gives those who have encountered pregnancy loss to collectively light a candle in memoriam of that pregnancy loss. And so last year we collaborated with two or partnered with two other charities and the the Baby Loss community, little Angel network and the Harmony Grace Foundation. Um, little Angel network has similar offerings to a support group where they support those encountered pregnancy loss, and then Harmony. Grace Foundation specifically deals with NICU. Um, baby loss experiences. Anyhow, we have decided and committed to doing hosting something like this annually to encourage those who have gone through this loss to come out, connect with our resources.

Jamilah Robinson: Um, learn more about who it is that we are and how we can help them, as well as to honor the the loss that they are grieving. Um, it’s a physical way of expressing, um, you know, the loss and the heartache that you bear. Um, and you’ll be surrounded by those who can, can be there for you, to support you. So, um, we also had an amazing opportunity to partner with the women’s hospital this year who hosted something similar, uh, last year on their site and noticed that one of our apartment charities was doing this, and they said, hey, we don’t want to compete here. We want to join forces so that we can, you know, grow as much community around this opportunity to support those who have gone through this type of loss. So they are a sponsoring partner as well as, um, participating, uh, as a resource to help those who have gone through this loss. So we are excited, um, not only for that partnership, but just the opportunity to make this kind of connection with those that we seek to serve. And that’s going to happen again October 13th at Bell Park, which is in the Montrose area. Uh, starting at 630 that day.

Trisha Stetzel: Perfect. Do, um, do folks who want to participate need to register?

Jamilah Robinson: Yes. They can go to any of our partnering organizations websites. Uh, click on the event and sign up. We would love some free registration around this so that we know how many. Um, we’re this year, we’re doing lanterns that we’re going to release across the waterfront at this park. Uh, so we can know how many of those to to plan for and prepare. It’s just going to be a really unique, elevated experience this year. And we want to draw as much of a crowd as we can for that.

Trisha Stetzel: Fantastic. I will put the links for that in the show notes. So if you’re listening to the show and would like to register, all you have to do is point and click. So you can go and register for that. So Jamilah, you have another big event coming up in October as well.

Jamilah Robinson: Yes. So at the end of the month that last Saturday, October 26th, Missing Pieces Support Group will be hosting our very first five K. And this is to bring um community uh around uh pregnancy loss awareness. So, you know, we’re inviting those who have encountered loss to come out to see and be seen so that, you know, of our resource. We’ll have vendors there that speak to mental health and wellness and other resources that can help you navigate your grief journey. But we are also, um, inviting the running, running community to join us. Um, I’ve been going and attending running clubs to talk about our mission and our cause, and I’ve found so much support around, uh, you know, those in the running community who have experienced this or know someone who is closely experienced it, and it’s just been a beautiful thing to watch. Um, our mission resonates, um, with this, this, this group, um, of, of the running community that we’re reaching out to. But don’t feel like you have to be a professional runner to join us. Like, we’re also encouraging families, moms with strollers. Everybody come, come join us. Come run. Come show your support. And, um, help us bring some spotlight to pregnancy loss awareness because it’s it’s truly a traumatizing suffering in silence type of situation that should not exist in 2024. There are too many people that encounter this for us to not have access to the resources that we need to move forward in a positive manner.

Trisha Stetzel: Yeah, absolutely. So tell me when that five K is in October.

Jamilah Robinson: Yes. So the five K is Saturday, October 26th at 8:30 a.m. at McGregor Park. Uh, we have a specific race website set up for this, so I’ll give you that link as well. Tricia. Um, you can find us on runsignup. And there you can, you know, you can sign up to, to run a walk in the five K, you can sign up to volunteer. Um, if you’re a business owner and would like to have a vendor booth, you can register there as well on that site.

Trisha Stetzel: Wonderful. I will absolutely put that in the show notes so that folks can just point and click and get right to that registration site. And that’s for everyone. Everyone who wants to come out and support this, your organization and these women who have gone through pregnancy loss, I would love, I have.

Jamilah Robinson: I’ve got one other thing to mention. I’m so sorry. There is a virtual option to this five K as well. So if you’re not able to join us in person or if you’re in another state, um, beginning October 1st, first through the day of the five K, uh, you have the opportunity to participate with us virtually. You can gather a group of family members or your team from work and go out on a 3.1 mile run or walk of your choosing will send you a virtual five K packet so you can, you know, post your pictures and your experience, uh, along with the hashtags that we will look to find you and share your content online with our community. So, uh, don’t be discouraged if you can’t be in person. We’d love to have you as a virtual connection for our five.

Trisha Stetzel: Oh, what a great idea. I love that, so I will definitely put all of those links in the show notes so that folks can get directly there. Um. Thank you. Tell me how I and you have some amazing events that are going on, whether it’s supporting these women or the community supporting these women. But I know that there are other people in the community. Maybe they can’t make these events and they still want to support your organization. How can they get involved?

Jamilah Robinson: Thank you for asking that question. You know, money is always a need of, um, organizations like us as we’re a nonprofit. But if you want a volunteer opportunity, um, or a way to tie yourself to our organizations, we do now have things that you can, you know, incorporate in your own personal communities to help us. One of the biggest opportunities we have is a care package. Um, becoming a care package, um, Host for a drive where we collect materials for our care packages. So if you know you are a part of a group that wants to support us in that way, we can connect you to our events Coordinator who will help coordinate an on site. Um, care package drive where you can collect the items we need for the care packages, and then also assemble the boxes. Um, to help us in a very meaningful way, because, I mean, we are few in numbers, and I’m usually one of the people that is having to put those care packages together. So, you know, the more hands we have on stuff like that, the better. And it just, um, helps us in such a physical and tangible way. So that’s one of the ways that we’re seeking support from our community. Um, now with our within our mental health and wellness community, uh, there is an opportunity to sponsor the care package materials that we have. Um, and with that sponsorship comes, uh, you know, a label that we place on the materials that you’ve sponsored within the care package. Um, so that, um, those who go through the care package see you as a trusted resource, um, of someone they can reach out to if that’s the specific type of help that they need.

Jamilah Robinson: Um, we will, of course, in exchange for your generous donation of sponsoring materials, um, include in recognize you on our online platforms, website, email marketing. Um, and social media. Um, and wished you as a, as a trusted resource in that space. Um, and then for those um, organizations that encounter, um, pregnancy loss, we are partnering with them to distribute our care packages for a nominal fee of $10 a box. Um, where, you know, you can have these boxes on site when you have to deliver that awful news, and that person doesn’t leave that place empty handed without a next step resource. We, of course, are not expecting someone to go that’s going through this, to go through that box immediately. But you know, when they’re ready, it’s there for them. And they can be be connected to a website not only comforted by the items in the care package, but connected to our website for the additional resources, like our um, support group program, where they can be a part of that experience. Um, and, you know, look at our library directory of resources so you can navigate your own grief journey. You know, support group isn’t the best start for everyone, But we we can show you songs, books, podcasts, uh, therapists, uh, recommendations. Uh, that might be a better fit for where you are in your journey. So. And you shared those are the ways to.

Speaker4: Let’s go ahead.

Trisha Stetzel: Thank you for sharing that. And you shared with me before we started recording today that you you’re actually inviting men into the support groups now as well. So it’s not just specifically for women who have gone through pregnancy loss, but for men as well.

Jamilah Robinson: That’s correct. So, um, right now our current structure is to host virtual and in-person support groups, uh, specifically for women, uh, the, the licensed therapist that we connected with to create that curriculum for women, um, exist. And we have implemented and we are currently in an iteration of our support group that.

Speaker4: Started a.

Jamilah Robinson: Couple of.

Speaker4: Weeks.

Jamilah Robinson: Ago. Those ladies will actually get to be a part of our five K, but we’ve been looking for ways to support men. And as you know, a board of directors of women and, you know, founders who are women. We can’t speak to that name. Um, however, we have been able to connect with someone in the health and wellness space who is a male who’s experienced a stillbirth. Um, from the partner perspective. And, um, he is working with, um, our, our lead, our, our liaison for support group, uh, facilitation doctor Ken Cooper, uh, to create some curriculum for men. And, you know, it, we don’t expect it to look like something that would help a woman. Right? Men connect in different, totally different ways. And, you know, his insight, you know, is a professional in that space as well as being a lost dad is going to be huge for us. And figuring out how to to support men that are going through this, um, because they’re not totally sure about, you know, not only how they’re what they’re going through, but how to support their, their partner and what what best to do. So, you know, it’s it’s a two birds, one stone type of situation with supporting them and then showing them how to support, uh, the partner in their life. So we’re really excited about that.

Trisha Stetzel: Uh, your organization is blossoming, and it’s so amazing to hear how much you’ve grown just since the last time we spoke a year ago. So for anyone who’s interested in the events or learning more about Missing Pieces support group, you can go to Missing Missing pieces. Support group. Dot org. To learn more about the organization or even register for the events that we talked about today, or volunteer to be a part of these care packages that Jamilah was talking about. I really appreciate you being on the show, and I’d also like to highlight that this is not the only thing that you do, and you are such a giver and you support this community of women and men so wonderfully, but you are also an entrepreneur and business owner, so there’s something to be said about that. And running your own business as well as running this amazing organization. So thank you for all of the time and effort and heart that you put into everything that you do.

Speaker4: Oh, Patricia.

Jamilah Robinson: That truly means a lot. Woman to woman and entrepreneur to entrepreneur. Uh, but, you know, as I begin to walk this nonprofit space, I’ve seen God essentially marry my World because I’ve tailored my offering to help and support nonprofits. So whenever I can connect with a nonprofit leader to help elevate, um, our impacts in the community, I can also now help them with their marketing needs. And we’re creating community amongst nonprofits in my for profit business with the quarterly networking meetup, where we invite them to, you know, come out and meet each other, we provide a learning and educational opportunity. And, you know, we give back, uh, to a nonprofit through a social media contest that we run online. So it’s just come full circle for me. And I’m thankful to have made it to this point where I can watch the vision unfold.

Speaker4: Beautiful.

Trisha Stetzel: Thank you so much. Is there anything else that you’d like to share before we close for today?

Speaker4: Uh, no.

Jamilah Robinson: I just want to thank you for this opportunity. Um, looking forward to to meeting someone who resonates with this at, you know, either A5K or a candlelight vigil or is an opportunity to support us through a care package drive. And, um. Yeah. Thank you. Tricia. I really.

Speaker4: Appreciate I’m so glad that.

Trisha Stetzel: You’re on this show with me today. I appreciate it and look forward to getting more people involved and getting the word out about your events and about your organization that does such important work for the community.

Jamilah Robinson: Thank you so much.

Trisha Stetzel: And that’s all the time we have for today’s show. Join us next time for another exciting episode of Houston Business Radio. Until then, stay tuned, stay inspired, and keep thriving in the Houston business community.