To launch our “Building Tables” series, THE BLOCK talked to former public health worker, now tech entrepreneur Ashlee Wisdom. Ashlee is the founder of Health In Her HUE (HHH), a digital platform that provides Black women and women of color with access to culturally-competent health care providers and more.
It all started as a burning urge to solve a problem many people are ignorant to. Ashlee stepped away from the comfort of a traditional job to do what her heart called her to do. In 2017, NPR reported Black women were 243 percent more likely to die from childbirth or childbirth-related issues.
Knowing this, along with the systemic discrimination in health care, Ashlee was set on creating a solution.
“I realized health information was just not relatable, and there were things that are supposed to be catered to Black women—yet the content was so poorly done,” she told THE BLOCK.
The product of an immigrant family, Ashlee was determined to pursue entrepreneurship after realizing certain positions were no longer serving her. She had to unlearn what success meant and used the experiences of her family to keep her driving forward.
“I had the passion for HHH, but it was that coupled with certain work environments that stifled my creativity that led me to being a better problem solver. I wanted to leverage both,” she explained.
Now, Health In Her HUE is a well-respected platform leveraging the power of tech, media and community to connect Black women and women of color to culturally-sensitive health care providers and information.
Ashlee is proof you don’t have to be a physical media artist to be labeled creative. Finding innovative communication solutions to decreasing the maternal mortality rate of Black women has an aspect of creativity that is relevant to writers and communicators.
Ultimately, creativity is finding resourceful ways to use what you have to answer a problem facing you or your community.
There is space for each person to walk into the light of what they’re called to do. Ashlee recommends anchoring yourself in the “why” behind what you want to do.
Creating a personal mission statement can also be helpful.
For Ashlee, her entrepreneurial journey has also meant putting faith first.
“You can be a Christian and be a creator and be impactful,” she said. “I will never be shy about where I place verses so that people know when you get me, you get God too.”
When it comes to establishing and building your own business, Ashlee adds that finding solutions for problems you feel burdened by is an ideal place to start—after all, that’s how HHH grew its roots. And, if you don’t fit the “creative or entrepreneur” type, focus on building your community. Look for the people doing what you want to do, and start with collaboration.
Whether your heart is in health care, technology, funding the arts or a different field—creativity can manifest in more than one way. Let this be your reminder to not let fear block you from being extraordinary. Ashlee is just one example. Rather than allowing herself to choose a “safe” path, she decided to tread new territory. As a result, we have technology that is revolutionizing the way Black women and women of color access health care.
