Black Maternal Health Week: Reproductive Justice Now!
Posted in:Black Maternal HealthExpecting a BabyMomsWoman’s Health
Share:
Black Maternal Health Week takes place nationally April 11–17. Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), the week raises awareness of the inequities that Black women and their infants encounter, builds activism, rallies our communities, and empowers all voices to drive change. While it is truly inspiring to see this happening nationally, some of the greatest motivation can — and should — come from right here in Delaware.
The theme for Black Maternal Health Week this year is “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice Now!” With recent national events surrounding the weakening of reproductive rights in America, the need to protect and support our black mamas is more important now than ever. We must focus our attention on practices and solutions that reflect and respect the needs, wants, and desires of Black women, pregnant women, and birth givers — lending them the power, confidence, and resources to take care of their bodies and demand reproductive justice now!
To recognize the week, DHMIC hopes you will attend one or more of the following events:
🗓️ Wednesday, April 10:
⭐️ Black Girl Health Collective and Mother Baby & Beyond:
Why Black Maternal Health Week
Join us for a live community session with LaToya Brathwaite, FNP, founder of Mother Baby & Beyond. Hear LaToya discuss the origins and reasons why having a Black Maternal Health Week is necessary.
Streaming at 7 p.m. on all Black Girl Health Collective social media platforms:
🗓️ Thursday, April 11:
⭐️ Black Mothers in Power’s Fundraising Event
Join the Black Mothers in Power in raising funds to open a new birth center in Wilmington. Whether you have a personal experience, know someone who does, or just want to show your support, mark your calendars for this great event!
The Quoin Hotel
519 N. Market St., Wilmington, DE 19801
5 to 8 p.m.
🗓️ Monday, April 15:
⭐️ Tales from the Other Side: Dads Birthing Story
Hear stories of birth from the perspective of the father in this enlightening speaker series.
Route 9 Library & Innovation Center
3022 New Castle Ave., New Castle, DE 19720
6 to 8 p.m.
🗓️ Tuesday, April 16:
⭐️ Black Maternal Health Care Advocacy Day
Hosted by Delaware’s Black Reproductive Justice Coalition.
Legislative Hall
Tatnall Room 113
150 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. N, Dover, DE 19901
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. — Food, tabling, presentation, visiting legislators
2 p.m. — Senate and House session
⭐️ Partners and Community:
Advocacy for Black Maternal Health
Join us for a live panel with LaToya Brathwaite FNP; Lindsay Griffin LCSW; and Dr. Lucinda Canty PhD, CNM, FACNM, as they discuss the role of support systems roles in Black maternal health advocacy.
Virtual event
Streaming at 7 p.m. on all Black Girl Health Collective social media platforms:
🗓️ Wednesday, April 17:
⭐️ Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium Annual Summit
This year’s summit includes two prominent speakers within the mothers of color community.
- Dr. Joia Crear-Perry
Advocate, Founder, and President of the National Birth Equity Collaborative - Kimberly Seals Allers
Maternal Health Advocate and Founder of the Irth App
Chase Center on the Riverfront
815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
🗓️ Thursday, April 18:
⭐️ Disparities in Black Maternal and Child Health
Hosted by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. and the University of Delaware
University of Delaware STAR Campus
540 S. College Ave., Newark, DE 19713
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
🗓️ Thursday and Friday, April 18 and 19:
⭐️ Equity Action Summit
The It’s Basic documentary will be showcased to discuss the guaranteed basic income program, as well as the Birthing Justice documentary, which discusses community engagement to improve birthing journeys in different communities. The event will feature Priscilla Mpasi, MD, FAAP, chair of the Delaware Healthy Mother & Infant Consortium, and Leah Jones Woodall, MPA, section chief, Family Health Systems, Delaware Division of Public Health.
Chase Center on the Riverfront
815 Justison St, Wilmington, DE 19801
1 to 3 p.m.
🗓️ Saturday, April 20:
⭐️ Third Annual Black Birth Expo
Join us for brunch and visit info tables from our community partners. Also, enjoy a massive community baby shower, including raffles with essential baby items like pack n plays, travel systems, and highchairs.
The Great Hall
425 N. DuPont Hwy., Dover, DE 19901
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Check this page frequently for updates. Together, we can raise our voices and awareness — and work to eliminate racial disparities to ensure all babies in Delaware have a chance to thrive.
Have your own story you’d like to share? Tag us on Facebook or Instagram by using #MyBMHWStory.
Live in Delaware and have a positive birth story you would like to share? Be a guest live at the DHMIC Summit! Registration will remain open through the first week of April.
⬇️ Event Flyer (PDF, 242KB):
