08/31/2026
What happens when Reede Scholars Live!'s Dr. Fleming is interviewed by a Scott Ford House Fellow? https://youtu.be/8WI5A3OzYlU
In this episode, host Reagan Portis, a 2026 Scott Ford House Fellow, sits down with OB/GYN and health equity advocate Dr. Mary E. Fleming to discuss the experiences of African American women in the healthcare system.
Drawing from more than 15 years of medical experience across multiple states and internationally, Dr. Fleming shares her journey into medicine, experiences with racial and age-related bias, and commitment to improving health equity and maternal health.
The conversation explores what health equity truly means, the challenges Black women may face during pregnancy and postpartum care, and the importance of self-advocacy, finding trusted healthcare providers, and building strong support systems. Dr. Fleming also discusses her work with the Commonwealth Fund Fellowship and Breed Scholars.
About the Scott Ford House
This episode is presented in collaboration with the Scott Ford House, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in Jackson, Mississippi, dedicated to preserving the history of African American life in the city.
Co-founded by Dr. Alferdteen Harrison, the organization preserves the historic homes of Mary Green Scott, a formerly enslaved midwife, and her daughter, Virginia Scott Ford. Through these historic sites and community programs, the Scott Ford House honors the legacy of Black midwives, healthcare workers, and generations of African Americans in Jackson.
Learn more about the Scott Ford House, its preservation efforts, and other community stories at:
www.scottfordhouseinc.com