top of page
kotabear.jpg

Paramount Preemies Birthed Into Greatness

Dakota2 - JANUARY.jpg

ABOUT DAKOTA

Our Story

My Name is Dakota and I was born 5 months premature at 22 weeks.  I made my grand entrance into this world on January 2, 2017 weighing in at a whopping 1 lb. 
I, even, went under 1 lb during my hospital stay at Hillcrest Hospital (Cleveland Clinic) in Ohio.

My parents did not expect me until May 2017, so, yes, I was 4 months early, but I was ready to meet my beautiful family.  

I resided in the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit for 141 days until I got big and strong enough to go home.  

So, just like me, there are thousands of premature babies that come into the world and their families are not prepared. So, it is our mission to help them!

OUR MISSION

My Kota Bear is a global company that provides services and goods for NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) families by bringing awareness, and education to prevent pre-term labor and births and overall wellness & health equity for women and children, including maternal & infant mortality prevention.

Dakota 1 Month-44.jpg

OUR IMPACT

Paramount Preemies Birthed Into Greatness

Paramount means "more important than anything else; supreme.  When families give birth to a preemie baby, there is nothing more important than getting them well enough to come home and continue to thrive.

My Kota Bear's Goal

Servicing over 1,000 families to date, our goal is to raise funds and collect items to give back to NICU families in communities by donating baby clothes (including preemie size), diapers, wipes, car seats, strollers, toiletries, formula, gas cards, gift cards, etc.  Also, our goal is to provide education and awareness to help prevent pre-term labor and births.

What Else...

With providing education and awareness to help prevent pre-term labor and births, we will be offering a Yearly Program to support mothers and babies to ensure educational growth in matters such as maternal and child mortality, advocacy, perinatal equity, mental and physical health, and providing resources and wrap-a-round services for the success of the entire family.

JOURNAL.jpg

MAMA BEAR

By Shirley Smith
NOW AVAILABLE

One Black Mother's Fight for Her Child's Life and Her Own.

“Brave. Compelling. Provocative. ” —Gabrielle Union Wade, actress and New York Times bestselling author

In this moving memoir, Shirley Smith, wife of NBA Champion and All-Star J. R. Smith, tells the story of giving birth to one of the youngest premature babies to survive—using her experience to heighten awareness of the crisis of Black maternal and infant health and pay tribute to Black women’s resilience.

Mama Bear_approved.jpg

GET INVOLVED

We are incredibly grateful for every dollar that is contributed to My Kota Bear. You can make a one-time donation, sponsor our organization or an event or set up a recurring payment. 

OUR PARTNERS

_edited.jpg
psp-logo-new_1.png
BETA KAPPA SIGMA.jpg
Melinated-Moms-Logo.jpeg
theleaguers-logo.png
the bass foundation.webp
GDZ Storks Nest.jpeg

JOIN OUR NEWSLETTER

Sign up to receive news and updates.

Thanks for subscribing!

bottom of page