Articles | Cabo Verde Network

I’m going to be a grandma for the first time, but my daughter may lose the baby.

Dear Dr. Vero,
My daughter is pregnant for the first time and her doctor told her that the womb can open and cause her to have the baby so early that he may not survive. This is our first grandchild and we are all very excited. But now I am afraid of what is going to happen.
A concerned grandma.

Dear Concerned Grandma,
The doctor was likely referring to a condition called cervical insufficiency. Cervical insufficiency is a condition that causes the cervix to open early during pregnancy, typically without the woman feeling any contraction or pain. The cervix is the part between the lower uterus (womb) and the vagina. It thins out and opens when it is time to have the baby. During the anatomy ultrasound when we check the baby from head to toe, we also check if the cervix is long and closed. Before a baby is considered full term (37 weeks of gestation), the cervix should stay closed and relatively long. When the cervix is found to be short or seems to be opening during the anatomy ultrasound, we worry that the expecting mom has cervical insufficiency and may end up having either a pregnancy loss or a premature baby.

In the United States, about 1 out of 10 babies are born premature – that is before 37 weeks of gestation. Prematurity is a major problem because the baby is at risk of many health issues, including trouble breathing, bleeding in the brain, and infection. These problems can cause the baby to stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for a long time and potentially die. The risk of babies dying or having problems from prematurity becomes less and less the more advanced the gestational age of the baby (i.e. the older the unborn baby is). There are some interventions that the doctor can recommend or do to decrease the risk of the problems associated with prematurity. Often, one of the most beneficial interventions to a baby at high risk of being born premature is a steroid medication given to the mom called betamethasone.

Having a short cervix does not automatically equal a pregnancy loss or a premature baby. There are several interventions that the doctor can offer someone with a short cervix, including medications or a stitch around the cervix called a cerclage, depending on how short or opened the cervix is or if the pregnant woman has had a prior pregnancy loss or a premature baby. For example, your daughter may be offered a progesterone medication, which may keep the cervix from getting shorter.
Any pregnant woman found to have a short cervix should talk to her doctor about her risk for having a pregnancy loss or a premature baby. Your daughter should have an honest discussion with her doctor about her condition and what her best plan of care should be. Since her doctor knows her condition and is taking care of her, your daughter should follow his or her advice.
I hope that your daughter gets the care that she needs and that her pregnancy is long and healthy. As for you, dear Concerned Grandma, I understand your excitement and your fear. You cannot make her cervix long and closed. You cannot make her stay pregnant. However, you can support her emotionally in big and small ways to help her lower the anticipated stresses that come with pregnancy.
I hope you get to experience the joys of being a grandmother soon.
Best of luck to you and your daughter,

The information contained in this article is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

A Nubian Notion: Kaasim Amir Abdal-Khallaq Davis reflects on Civil Unrest

CVN: What are your thoughts on the current political situation including the protests?
“Well (sighs) I’m disappointed. Let me start by saying this. I’m very disappointed in our current situation. I feel like we made so much progress as a Country and we were headed in such a beautiful direction. I also think that it was needed and here’s why I say that. I think a lot of us were unaware of just how Racist America still is. I have dealt with being harrassed by Police, I have been wrongfully accused of things, I have been wrongfully arrested and not given a fair shake by the system. I have brothers who have been abused by this system. And it affects a whole family on so many levels. So for me it’s personal. I get frustrated because I feel we are overly criminalized. You know that Karen attitude is a thing. So many Black Men are accused of crimes they don’t commit. And a crime is slapped on them and because an officer says it, it’s law and that person isn’t given a fair shot. I was once told by a public defender “I know it’s messed up. But it’s your words vs 6 cops.” To me she was saying you’re a Black man and it’s your word against 6 white cops. Which automatically makes me guilty. It’s like what do you do? Our police today are more militarized than they’ve ever been. Thanks to Bill Clinton who I remember playing the saxophone and black people thinking that he was for them. Then he militarized the Police. I went to Natick High and stayed out there because I played Football. Natick from sports to school is where I vividly remember experiencing Racism for the first time and a lot of it. I remember getting eye rolls and the “go back to Africa” I once got suspended when I was called the N word because I chased the kid into the principal’s office. Even though i was born in Roxbury and my Family had been in America longer than the families of some of the White Kids that were saying that to me. I remember feeling out of place. I was so pro black and never fitting in. I have a lot of white friends and spent the night and weekends at my Friends family’s house and they were so nice to me. I still to this day have White Friends that I love to death. But they also agree with me that the current state of our country is terrible. I want to make it clear that I do not hate white people. Because that seems to be a Gas Lighting thing done to Black Men who speak up about injustices we face in this country. But I do feel offended by the white classmates that cheered for me during football games, that cheered for my friends and other black people in the NFL, NBA. The white people that love and indulge in black culture, our fashion, our foods, our language and are not fighting hard for us. The ones who have something to say but indulge in American Culture which was created by the same people they can’t stand. I take that as a slap in the face. My Parents went through Desegregation and the Boston Bussing situation. So it’s just hurtful to know those things and to think we have someone leading the country and some others in high positions that are doing everything in their powers to stop us from moving forward. I think this whole system needs to be reformed. It’s Human decency. We built America and continue to Build America. You look at Covid and who’s working these jobs that allow you to eat out, who’s playing these sports. Who’s losing their housing? Who’s gonna benefit from those Black people losing their housing in the impoverished neighborhoods? Who’s at a disadvantage with schooling. And when I talk about schooling let me say resources. Because the teachers aren’t always better in the suburbs. Some of the best teachers I had were in the “Hood” It’s the resources that make life easier for those kids. I think Black people need to have their own Political Party. I don’t agree with Black Lives Matter as a Political Organization; it doesn’t represent me. They don’t Mention the Straight Black Man. I agree with the phrase Black Lives Matter, because my Life matters and so do my friends and Family. So when I say Black Lives Matter it’s because mine does and so does my family and friends. Caucasians that say “All Lives Matter ” we know they do but if you feel that way then you should be just as mad about Black Lives Mattering if you really felt that way. I just think as a whole we need a party we need political candidates. I know firsthand how politics can influence things. With all the information my generation has at their fingertips we need more politicians. I helped get Deval Patrick elected as the first black governor with Chip Greenidge (National Black College Alliance, vote or die) I’ve helped Barack Obama raise money to gain the senate. Also, to see the first Black president was amazing. It was a great feeling to see my Grandmother who was in her 90’s and everything she’s seen get to see that, and I was glad to be a part of that for her. But I think that’s why we are here today. I just hope Americans wake up. And realize how peaceful America was when he was president and see how much chaos the country is in right now. The country is a reflection of leadership. Being in business all my life I understand this, America is a business and this president doesn’t care about people he cares about business and White Supremacy. And business wise someone who’s seen their families business last for 65 years. America is really not being run correctly at all. Look at how perfect Obama had to be and this current office has been worried about bashing him so much and has yet to really do anything but make empty promises that he hasn’t fulfilled and actually brought back a pandemic, a civil war and a great depression. America wasn’t great to begin with because of the rape, looting and genocide. And now he’s made it worse than it was when Obama was in office. I feel like as Black people we have to vote our behinds off come November. We have to organize our brothers and sisters of non-black ethnicity and vote. We need more diversity in all businesses. We need more jobs for black ppl. It’s just a lot. I hope in my Lifetime we get to change the whole system. But idk if that is gonna happen. But if I lay some tracks down and we lay some tracks down the generations behind us can see Racism gone.

I mean you look at this current President and the way he runs the country it just isn’t how leadership should be. It makes me sad that people are still defending him. He keeps threatening to take us back to times where America was not Great. He ran his whole campaign on hate. I think he’s done a terrible job at his job and we should stop deeming the celebrity as these people who have our best intentions at heart. Because it’s not the case. The person who’s gonna care most for you is the one from your neighborhood. Someone who is in touch with the people. We need more politicians who come from the neighborhood. I think our most important agenda should be the end of Slavery the 13th. and getting our 40 acres and our reparations that means money. I think America owes every Black Person money for what they put our families through. The pain that has been caused. The lands that have been stolen and sold at cheap prices and withheld from people of color. I think white people should be taught the real history of this country. I think just like we don’t celebrate Hitler and the Nazi’s we shouldn’t celebrate Columbus and the Confederacy. It’s really crazy that we fly the American flag when the north won but the confederate flag is not treason. Confederate statues aren’t treason. Anybody with any basic Military knowledge knows that when one army wins the flag of the losing army is no more. So it makes no sense other than America has to do better. We are the leaders of the world. We can’t be acting like our stuff doesn’t stink while the whole time our stuff reeks.

Nubian Square • Roxbury, Boston, MA

CVN: Nubian square. Can you explain why this name is so important?
Dudley was changed to Nubian Square. The name is important because it gives us something in our own community. Thomas Dudley was a British colonial governor who died in Roxbury and was pro slavery. For me it goes back to that Notion Malik had. Now we have Nubian Square. I think what Roxbury did to make that happen was amazing. So with A Nubian Notion being the downtown for black people for so many years. It is empowering for a place we all knew and loved as far as the center of Roxbury being called Nubian Square.There is power in words whether we want to admit it or not. And I think anybody who loved A Nubian Notion should honor my Grandfather and give his legacy the respect he deserves by calling a place that was for them and named after them Nubian Square. As it is meant to empower them. He wanted black people to know who they were and live in their power. So that’s how you honor him. By honoring yourself. So for me Nubian Square is that Notion he set in motion and it’s being spread in so many ways. You look all over the country. I see all these stores that sell oils and incense all these black bookstores, now everyone is celebrating Kwanzaa. It just reminds me of A Nubian Notion. I remember celebrating Kwanzaa every new year’s day forever with my family. It was equally as important as Christmas and now it’s a thing in the black community. These are all examples of black people setting off this “Notion” and it’s beautiful to watch. Also we talked a lot about my Grandfather as he was the businessman. But i just want to give a shout out to my Grandmother Elva Lee Abdal-Khallaq because without her there would be none of this. She was the rock, the glue and Queen of our Family because of her the business lasted that long. She deserves just as much credit as Malik. I don’t think they could have done any of what they did without each other.
CVN: So we talked a lot about your Grandfather and the family business. But you had also mentioned you have some projects of your own you are working on….
Kaasim: Yes. I am an RNB Singer I have been in the newspaper a few times as a kid. I was in the play Black Nativity produced by the Famous Elma Lewis. I’ve performed at Howards homecoming. I’ve performed on the same show as J.Cole, Lupe Fiasco. I have performed at A3C (Atlanta Festival). I have done tons of shows. My Song 2 Weeks has over 160k streams, it trended on audiomac, I’ve had blog write ups on signers room, I’ve been in Travis Porter Make it Rain video that was on MTV, a few other videos. I’ve also helped shoot 2Chainz Music video with Motion Family for watch out which we received a Platinum Plaque for that from Def Jam. I worked on one of young Jeezy’s videos (both Artist I discovered in A Nubian Notion) I have worked with grammy nominated and platinum producers. Mentored by Grammy winning producers. I have a new EP coming out called Socially Distant. It plays on our current events. I started working on it as soon as Covid hit and we went into lock down. I locked myself in the studio and started working so I’m excited to share it with the world. It will be on apple music, tidal, spotify and my website. Also on my website you will find my store, where it will be an extension of A Nubian Notion. I’m the next generation of a Nubian notion. I also released a new song titled “on purpose” produced by Grammy Nominated producer $K (Future, Chris Brown, Trey Songz, Jacquees) and DJ Cruz. You can follow me on instagram @kaasimomw
I’m really trying to change the Music Industry and give Good Independent Musicians a platform to be appreciated and be able to live out their dream without becoming a slave to the evil pay for play industry. So support your Local Artist. You see how they are cutting music in school. Music is so important. Just look at Covid music got us through the worst time we’ve had in a while. So yea make sure you head over to my instagram and follow me and support the next generation of one of the grandkids of A Nubian Notion and Black Business. Thanks.
Article Written by: Adam Cheung

The Legacy of A Nubian Notion: Interview with Kaasim Amir Abdal-Khallaq Davis

Through a chance social media meeting, I came in contact with Kaasim, grandson of the founder of , “A Nubian Notion Inc.” As it turns out Kaasim has relatives who are Cape Verdean and I mentioned that I had written some articles for Cabo Verde Network.
One thing lead to another and so we have the interview below.
CVN: Not everyone necessarily knows what A Nubian Notion is. I had heard the name growing up, but you describe what it is a little for the readership who may not be familiar?
Kaasim: My Grandfather Malik Abdal-Khallaq went to Egypt and brought back a few items that he displayed in his Barbershop located on Humbolt Avenue named Beau Nubian Brummel Tonsorial Emporium. Because of the need and want for these items during the Civil Rights movement, he founded A Nubian Notion Inc. the storefront lasted from 1962 till 2017 until it was closed years after his death. A lot of people miss it, including me, and I’ve come in contact with a lot of people who want it to come back. It is still much needed today, in my personal opinion more than ever right now. I’m currently working and building my own store and my Uncle has an extension of his own store also. It was a Family Business so any Businesses that we have is an extension of his (my grandfather’s) idea.

Yes, my Grandfather started it with my Grandmother. I think the idea, from what I’ve read online came from his customers in his barbershop wanting the items he displayed that he brought back from his trip to Egypt.

“I believe that A Nubian Notion was and still is a Concept.”

In my own opinion, I speak for myself only and not on behalf of my family. But I believe that A Nubian Notion was and still is a Concept. It’s a Nubian Concept. We are Nubian People in America and we have to understand that. We have been cut off from our History and i think that his Life work was to reconnect his people back to their History and Educate them on where they came from. One thing I can say about my Grandfather was he was a teacher not in the typical fashion of an Educator. But just the fact that he had obtained Knowledge and he tried to Empower his people with that knowledge that the history books have kept from us. I think that was part of his Notion was sharing the knowledge. He taught so many Arabic. If I’m not mistaken, he taught me a little but I was so young i didn’t pick it up. I was 9 when he passed. I remember his funeral and feeling sad and walking down Humboldt to his barbershop and all of my friends from my Elementary school the Trotter on Humboldt, just giving me their condolences and I remember how many people attended his funeral. It was surreal, like a movie. I always looked up to him. He is the Bar that I’ve personally set. He was my Michael Jordan. I have this saying everyone wanted to be like Mike, I wanted to be like Malik. I think his Nubian concept, his notion is being set into motion. As you see Roxbury changing from the Black Historic Dudley Station to Nubian Square. The name is something you can’t take away at least right now. You see Black Market in Nubian Square. As many people that reach out to me and tell me stories of my Grandfather and his Barbershop or their experiences in the store. It just shows me how many lives he impacted from a career that many don’t see as glorious. I mean he was a Barber, he wasn’t a president, a politician or a celebrity. He was a humble hardworking man and an everyday joe. But he wasn’t average, he wasn’t regular. He is revered in Boston in Roxbury and by people that know him with the same respect people hold for Malcolm, Martin, Farrakhan, Ali and others. I personally think he doesn’t get celebrated enough for the Black Man he was. But that’s the way he wanted it. But he deserves his roses. He’s still teaching a lot of us and he hasn’t been on this Earth since 1996. Now that’s Legacy, that’s impact. And a positive one. One thing that amazes me is how many people tell me how he was such a great man and how many people he still impacts till this day. I’ve literally heard thousands of stories from strangers since I was a kid. It’s really an amazing thing, sometimes I took it for granted because he was my Grandfather.

I wish the whole world got to experience his teachings.

But as I get older I realize how amazing of a Black Man he was. For him to have the knowledge to reclaim his History and his Name. For him to bless me and my uncles and aunts and cousins with our names, I thank God every day for that man. I remember hating as a kid when people would mispronounce my name and having to educate them on how to pronounce it. Not even realizing that he made me a teacher just by giving me a name that wasn’t easy to pronounce. Learning on my own how to educate people and have that tough conversation. Some people might not catch that but I think I get my deep thinking and thoughts from him. Also, from what I’ve read and have been told he was big on self-independence. Nothing was given to me. I’ve had to earn everything really. I remember once I started working at the Store, my mom made me pay for my own stuff. I started buying my own wardrobe as a teen, food etc. I read in the Globe in an article after his death I believe that my Uncle said that my grandfather made them pay for their own haircut. There Weren’t any free haircuts in the barbershop just because they were brothers. They (My Uncles) also had to pay for their own clothes. So I know he was big on self-independence. My Uncles are big on that also. They don’t allow me to make excuses for anything. It was tough growing up as an Abdal-Khallaq kid because I really had high standards and couldn’t be the family disappointment. It was a lot of pressure but that pressure continues to make me the man I am today. The self-independence is one thing I know for sure he taught that is big. As an independent Musician (RNB Artist), I have happily taken the harder route and though it has been very difficult at times and though people don’t understand why I haven’t been successful yet in their eyes. (Signed with a label) it might be the hardest profession because you don’t get paid off your work and hours or your talent. But I can’t allow myself to get played (signing a deal) because as a Black Man raised by a bunch of Entrepreneurs and small business owners. I know the power in a Black Man owning his own. Even if I never obtain global fame, if I can make a sustainable career off owning my own works and creativity, I find comfort in that. My grandfather was a Barber. He wasn’t a rich celebrity so if he was able to be happy and his family was able to be happy with just being able to be comfortable. I think I will be happy when my business is able to do the same. I define what success is. Not other people. He was/is an amazing teacher. I wish the Whole World got to experience his teachings I think Black people and Human Beings would be far better off. He was really a people person. So was my Grandma. I def get that trait from them.
CVN: How was it to work at A Nubian Notion in Highschool?

“It was really cool, I started working on the ice cream machine in my Uncle (Godfathers) Store. A Nubian Notion High Damn. Alongside my cousin Kari. I had grown up in the store in Nubian Square, the former Dudley Station. Since I was a baby my Mother was one of the Managers she dedicated her Life to that store. So I would be there all the time. It’s where I met Vanessa Williams (Miss America) as a baby and countless other Celebrities. I kinda been working there unofficially just trying to help the customers all my life because it was my after-school program when I wasn’t at my Grandmother’s House or at the Barbershop. I loved trying to help the customers and work there even though I obviously couldn’t because I was too young. I loved seeing all the Black items, so many memories man. I think I connected most with the Record Store we had. I used to love hanging out with my Cousin Kubie and used to think he was so cool because he knew about all the new music that was coming out, all the black movies. Imagine being a Black kid and your Family owning a Black Record/Video Store. I didn’t go to Tower Records or Blockbuster. I went right to A Nubian Notion. It wasn’t till I got older and wanted to watch white movies that my Dad introduced us to Blockbuster. On Saturdays I used to Love being in the Store because in order to sell the Movies we had a tv in there and a VHS player so I would throw on the newest black movies to promote them but I’d really be watching them (laughs). Speaking of promotion, movies and music. This really shaped my Life and it wasn’t till about a year ago I really got how much A Nubian Notion put me in the position I’m in now. I’ve been around Celebrities all my Life as a kid the Radio Station and Labels used to do press runs at the Store there and funky fresh. I remember being in the store all the time when the Artists would come to the Store and Visit behind the counter building a bond with them was always cool. They would be so regular I never understood the fandom thing but I was really intrigued by how they were received. It was like a superhero and I got my first taste of that. I remember the labels giving us promotional use only CD’s to take home and play in the store. I grew up in the 90’s and early 2000’s so I grew up in Black Music and Movies Golden Years. I mean from T.I., 50 Cent, Nelly, Tupac, Dru Hill, Clipse and many more. I found out about them 6 months before the world did. I remember having all the clothing from the Negro League Baseball Teams, the Black Colleges clothing. We had a whole selection of Black Gift cards, Black Posters, any Black book you could imagine from the Willie Lynch Book to the Coldest Winter Ever (which my mom made me read one summer). I had a whole bodega/corner store I got to grow up and work in. It was amazing. I was so blessed because it was owned by my family and they were black. And my whole family worked there. And if you worked there you were family and we trusted you. You came to the family cookouts/gatherings you were part of our family. I don’t remember anybody stealing, I don’t remember my uncles and aunts treating the people who worked for us badly. I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone complain. I’m still friends with a few of them till this day. Picture the feeling you get when you watch Martin or Fresh Prince. That would be the feelings I get when I think about the store in the 90’s-2000’s. It was the Golden Era in my Life. Those beautiful colors gear music. It was all that stuff. The rest of the World got bits and pieces from tv shows, the nba, the music. I got it all overtime. It definitely has a lot to do with why I am so pro black. I thank my Grandparents for that, I’m so indebted to them.”
Article Written by: Adam Cheung

Breastfeeding is hard. But, it comes with so many great benefits to mom, baby and society.

Dear Dr. Vero,
I noticed on your Facebook page that this week is World Breastfeeding Week and I decided to ask you a question about breastfeeding. My mother breastfed all of her 6 kids in Cabo Verde for over one year and she never complained about it. But, in the United States, so many people are telling me that breastfeeding is hard. They tell me that there is no need to breastfeed in the U.S. because formula is just as good as breastmilk and much easier to do. However, my doctor says that breast is best. I want to do what’s best for my baby. What do you think?
Sincerely,
A Hopeful Breastfeeder

Dear Hopeful Breastfeeder,
Thank you for reaching out and following me on social media. August 1st to the 7th was World Breastfeeding Week, a time meant to raise awareness and excite people about breastfeeding, and thus, increase breastfeeding rates worldwide.
Your mom successfully breastfed 6 children in Cabo Verde during a time when the country supported breastfeeding and there was almost no other option for feeding newborns. She most likely learned how to breastfeed from other women in the family and community. She may not have worked outside of the home and was not shamed for breastfeeding in public.
The level of support and acceptance for breastfeeding in the U.S. pales in comparison to what your mother likely received in Cabo Verde. Pregnant women and new mothers in the US receive many mixed messages about breastfeeding, even though it is a natural process that most women, with proper support, should be able to accomplish.
Breastfeeding has numerous benefits to your baby. Breastfeeding can protect your baby from many viral and bacterial infections, such as ear, respiratory and urinary tract infections, and diseases such as leukemia, diabetes and childhood obesity. It can also protect your baby from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and may help your child become smarter; children that are breastfed do better on intelligence tests.
Breastfeeding also has many benefits for the mom. It protects mothers from postpartum depression as well as excessive bleeding after giving birth, which is a major cause of maternal pregnancy-related death. It also decreases mom’s risk of diabetes, osteoporosis, and breast and ovarian cancers and helps her lose the weight she gained during the pregnancy. Breastfeeding can help her bond more with her baby. Furthermore, breastfeeding is probably the most environmentally-friendly food. It does not produce waste, greenhouse gases or a water footprint. Did you know that it takes 4,000 liters (1056.7 gallons) of water to produce 1 kilogram (35 oz) of substitute powdered milk?
Breastfeeding is not always easy. It often requires significant patience, effort and emotional commitment. Also, it can be painful, especially in the beginning as you learn to help your baby latch properly to the breast or when your baby’s teeth initially come out. Many mothers need support to start and continue breastfeeding. Ask your obstetrician, the hospital where you will be delivering and/or your future pediatrician for a referral to a skilled breastfeeding counselor. A lactation counselor is a trained professional that can support and advise you during your breastfeeding journey. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “improving access to skilled counselling for breastfeeding can extend the duration of breastfeeding and promote exclusive breastfeeding, with benefits for babies, families and economies. Indeed, analysis indicates that increasing rates of exclusive breastfeeding could save the lives of 820,000 children every year, generating US $302 billion in additional income.”
The WHO recommends that mothers worldwide, including in the US, exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months of their lives. This can certainly be a challenge for a mother who is working full time. About 25 percent of new mothers in the US return to work only 2 weeks after giving birth. Such a short maternity leave (if you can even call it that) may not allow the mother to physically and emotionally recover enough from the process of childbirth and can grossly interfere with her ability to establish successful breastfeeding. Once at work, many women may not have enough time to pump milk regularly or may not have access to proper places to pump. However, continuation of breastfeeding while working is very much possible. For instance, I was able to breastfeed my child for 12 months while working full-time as a physician. It took a lot of coordination, creativity and dedication on my part, even though I work in a supportive environment.
To improve your chances of successfully breastfeeding, I recommend you talk to your boss about your breastfeeding plans and find time in your work schedule to pump regularly. Find out ahead of time how to use your pump, the location of the pumping room and how to safely store your breastmilk at work. Federal law requires that employers provide basic accommodations for breastfeeding mothers at work, which include time for women to pump and a private area, other than the bathroom for pumping. Talk to current and past breastfeeding mothers about their experience with breastfeeding while working. They can teach you little tricks and give you bits of information to encourage and help you be successful with breastfeeding.
Ultimately, the decision to breastfeed or formula-feed is up to you. Do not compare yourself to other women, including your mom. Instead, learn from their experiences and figure out what works for you and your family. Do not be afraid to seek help. As a physician and a mom, I encourage you to do your best to breastfeed your baby for at least 6 months given that breastfeeding has so many health and possible emotional benefits for you and your baby.
For more information about the benefits of breastfeeding, go to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease and Human Development.
Good luck!
Stay safe,

To learn more about Dr. Vero, go to VeroMD.net.

Meet Crisolita Figueiredo – A “Cabo Verdean to Know” Running for Pawtucket City Council Ward 1 Office

Crisolita Figueiredo is a “Cabo Verdean to Know.”
Crisolita Figueiredo is running for Pawtucket City Council Ward 1 office. She is originally from Sal, Cabo Verde and immigrated to the United States in 1995. Married and a mom to 3 girls, she has been living in Pawtucket, Rhode Island for the past 23 years. Mrs. Figueiredo completed her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from the University of Rhode Island and is employed as an eligibility specialist for the State of Rhode Island at the Department of Human Services. I had the pleasure of asking her a few questions to allow the Cabo Verdean community to get to know her better.

What is your major goal for this year?
My biggest goal for this year is to win the Pawtucket City Council Ward 1 election and become a clear and consistent voice/leader of my constituents in my district. I want to be able to make a difference in our city.
Why did you decide to run for office?
I have always been interested in civics participation and politics in general. But, what really made me interested in running for office is that over the past few months, I sounded out our community, our constituents and our business leaders, and I realized that everyone is eager for a change in our community for a better Pawtucket. We want a more inclusive, diverse, prosperous, and rehabilitated Pawtucket. We want a city with more opportunities for its citizens and business patrons.

Crisolita Figueiredo and her family

What makes you the right candidate and what do you have to offer?
I have been a long time and active resident and participant in the civics duties of the city. I know what kind of change the voters in my city are aspiring for. My sound leadership and proven experience working at the grassroots level with parents in educational matters, combined with my knowledge of the city’s politics, makes me the right candidate for Pawtucket City Council Ward 1 office.
How are you planning to make a difference if elected?
I want to be an active leader and a consistent voice for my community and my constituency. I want to be the eyes and ears of my constituency as well as the business leaders in my community, so that I can listen to their major concerns and bring them to the table of the city council forum.
Pawtucket is a very diverse city. However, its diversity is not reflected in the City Council. The city needs people that will work for the best interest of the community. Education needs a major make-up. We need to change the educational system in a way that it will benefit our community and ultimately our children. We have so many young and talented kids in our community, but we must find ways to allocate resources to provide them with guidance as to what might be better options for them after graduating from High School. We should provide them with sound technical job training or to find ways to create a pipeline for them to land in community college or major local colleges and universities. We must find ways for our schools to collaborate with major local corporations where high school graduates or potential college graduates can go on to do internships and job training, which will lead to better and more qualified professionals with high incomes in our community.
There are not enough educators of color in the Pawtucket School system. We need more qualified professionals, such as interpreters, that play a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of the city. One of the main reasons why there is a lack of engagement or participation by parents in the education of their kids is the language barrier. We need to bring the parents, especially the immigrant parents to the table and make them feel like partners/stakeholders in the education of their children as well as the entire educational process itself.
How can the community contribute to your campaign?
To win a political election, one must have a solid agenda and a great campaign team. I need as much help as I can possibly get from my community. I would truly appreciate the support of anyone in my community in helping me get elected to this seat. First off, I need as many volunteers as possible so that I get my political agenda out there in the community.
In addition to a strong campaign team composed of great volunteers, I need financial support and contribution of any electorate, company or citizen interested in helping shape or change our community. These days with the global pandemic COVID-19, it is hard to organize fundraising events in person with attendance of potential donors. So, if anyone is interested in donating to my campaign, please feel free to contact me directly via my Facebook campaign’s page.
What message do you have for the Cabo Verdean community?
My fellow Cabo Verdeans are warm-hearted and intelligent people. We have so many talented and qualified Cabo Verdean professionals in Pawtucket and the surrounding cities. However, very few of those talented and experienced professionals are interested in running for political offices in order to better educate our constituents in a wide array of topics. We could also work to become more united and support each other more.
What are you most proud of?
Being a mother to three beautiful, smart, caring young girls is what makes me most proud. My daughters are my motivation as well as what makes me strive to fight for a better life for the underprivileged children. I always try my best to be a good role model parent for my children.
What obstacles did you face while trying to achieve your goals and how did you overcome them?
I was faced with many obstacles as an immigrant. I spent the first 11 years here in the U.S. as an undocumented immigrant. Back then, it was less difficult to live and thrive as an undocumented immigrant. For example, it was easier to get a job, which then helped make the rest of your life less difficult. More importantly, as an undocumented immigrant, you were less likely to be chased by the Immigration authorities and had less of a chance of being detained and deported then, than now. I was able to get a driver’s license, which facilitated my life tremendously during those days. Today, we have many undocumented immigrants driving illegally, which can lead to a wide array of issues.
What and who inspires you?
My inspiration is seeing people loving and helping one another. For that, I admire Princess Diana Spencer. She led by heart and not by the rules of the book. You can never go wrong when leading from the heart. She went out in the world and loved people regardless of your socioeconomic status, race, gender, creed or beliefs. Her simplicity and humbleness inspire me to do what I do.
Anything else you would like to add?
We are currently living in an uncertain and very turbulent time. We are dealing with many crises ranging from an economic depression to a huge mass of unemployment and a global health pandemic. So, there is nothing better than standing out and fighting for what is right for your community. I ask that you help me fight for our community by voting for me on September 8 to be the next for Pawtucket City Councilwoman.

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ACVB is a community men's basketball league, currently based in Boston & Brockton, that is in its infancy. The league/organization's mission is to integrate youth development activities through basketball clinics and other outreach programs provided by the league to the community.

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