A House is not a Home: Discussing Renovations on Campus

In a time where women, especially Black women, are more likely to experience maternal and infant mortality, a Southern University graduate works alongside the hospital to accommodate this issue. Ashaki Tobias, BA, CBS, a graduate of Southern University’s class of 2014, is a childbirth educator, doula, certified breastfeeding specialist, Healthy Birth Ambassador, the founder and co-owner of Maternal Love, and the very first doula to work directly for a hospital in Louisiana.
Ashaki was hired to bring a more diverse community to the hospital setting. She and her business partner go on behalf of their personal business when they go into the hospital to support a mother. Kiara Carnes, BSN, RN, IBCLC, a graduate of Southern University’s class of 2013, is also the co-owner of Maternal Love as well as an international board-certified lactation consultant. The two women were friends in high school and roommates their freshman year at Southern. Their business, Maternal Love, would come much later. The services and name of Maternal Love were erected in 2018 as both women have always had a passion for mothers and caring for children since they were in high school.
Maternal Love is a business committed to the well-being of families, especially low-income families, and succeeding in healthy, successful births. Ashaki Tobias describes a doula as someone who can provide emotional, physical, spiritual support for women during their pregnancy and birth. Doulas are trained to help increase vaginal births, lower Cesarean births, and produce better birth outcomes. They are advocates and teachers for women who have questions but can’t go to doctors or the women in their families.
“I provide information for my clients. I provide classes to my clients. I educate them,” Ashaki assures. She explains, “There’s so much talked about maternal death rates, fatality rates, infant death rates, but sometimes, it can be as simple as taking a class. Or, it can be as simple as having a doula there that’s educated and has the information to give you the resources so you can have the birth that you want.”
Ashaki was inspired by an experience she had while working for a previous employer. “ I busted my butt to become a Branch Manager [for Enterprise]…at that time my daughter was 4 or 5, and I was breastfeeding my son. I remember 
Over a century ago in 1914, Southern University A&M College and University was established in the Scotlandville, Louisiana, area with a $50,000 land grant. This institution served as a physical representation of the advances of Black Americans.
Advancing to the current day, students enter the Smith-Brown Memorial Union, and are met with the unpleasant sight of bright gold paint bubbling and peeling to reveal a stained white wall adjacent to their favorite eating spot.
On their way to their scheduled appointment to meet with their professor in Rodney G. Higgins Hall, they are met with unbearable blazing heat.
Smith-Brown Memorial Union, Rodney G. Higgins Hall, and T.H. Harris Hall all seem to suffer from the most pressing issues of decay, specifically plumbing.
Poorly maintained structures, patchwork, and short-term fixes to long-term issues. Students vocalize issues with unflushed toilets and cold running faucets, and according to Justice Clarke, a senior at Southern University, the administration has not made renovations an urgent matter.
“As a student body, we deserve more. We deserve better because, at the end of the day, most of us are taking out loans and using our scholarship money for this school.” Clarke announced.
Josiah Anderson, a junior from Atlanta, Georgia, states his opinion on the renovations on campus. “ You would think that with the money we get, there should be better upkeep on campus.”
A staff member who wishes to remain anonymous has stated off the record that it took over six months with very few to no updates for renovations to Higgins Hall restrooms to be completed.
Students and staff seem to share similar opinions on the core issues plaguing the university, specifically decay, short-term patchwork, and long-term issues.
While there is no immediate fix, there has to be a strategic plan in place to address these pressing issues by the university.
Students and faculty can also be empowered to assist by taking the following measures to prevent further damage: avoid pouring grease down the drain, avoid discarding tissue or “flushable” wipes, keep drains free of clutter, do not leave running water unattended, and report issues as soon as possible as early detection is key to prevention.
The pride of a campus built specifically for black people, basking in the aesthetics of a newly constructed building, gliding through the halls inhaling fresh paint, and flipping the crisp pages of fresh, updated schoolbooks, is what most look forward to and believe to see. Students need better campus upkeep to leave better than they entered the building.
Stay connected to the Southern Digest for more updates on the renovations on campus.