#55 Repro-Emergency Hotline: A Conversation with Founder Michyah Thomas

For this edition of CompanyRoots, we had the opportunity to conduct an interview with Michyah Thomas of Hampton University in Virginia. Thomas’ startup focuses on reproductive rights and aims to provide college students at Hampton University with different types of contraceptives. The start-up, Repro-Emergency Hotline, launched in late March of 2019 and specifically works on targeting the needs of the Hampton University student body.  

Q: How did you go about finding a location, donors, and getting the name of your

business out there?

A: I asked for help from community resources that provide reproductive healthcare

services, specifically advocacy groups in the state and also clinics in the state. Because

access is limited, many organizations, alumni and community members were willing to help out.

The need for this was very apparent, so it spread quickly through the campus and

community very easily; even to the point where this program was written about in both the Washington Post and the Daily Beast.

Q; What were some hurdles you faced while starting your business?

A: Some of the main hurdles have been finding resources, all of our services are free to

students but are quite expensive to acquire, so we’ve had to work to bring in resources. Another 

major concern for my school is that we are not healthcare professionals, so we have received some backlash from school administration. 

Q: What has been the most rewarding part of launching your business?

A: Helping people is by far the greatest reward. Everyone who comes to my team gets

exactly what they need without shame or stigma and that’s the point of our program.

Thomas’ program ecompasses the heart of Company Roots. That start-ups, no matter how small, can succeed with hard work and dedication and make a difference in our communities. 

Author: Safiyyah Wilson

Editor: Sourish Jasti