Black Maternal Health Week was created to raise awareness of the root causes of poor maternal health outcomes for Black women and to inspire activism in support of Black-led maternal health initiatives. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the goals of Black Maternal Health Week are to:
- Deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health in the US;
- Amplify community-driven policy, research, and care solutions;
- Center the voices of Black Mamas, women, families, and stakeholders;
- Provide a national platform for Black-led entities and efforts on maternal health, birth and reproductive justice; and
- Enhance community organizing on Black maternal health.
This year, we’re celebrating #BHMW22 by spotlighting the powerful stories and calls-to-action from our partners participating in BMHW.
Watch Angela D. Aina, the co-founding executive director of Black Mamas Matter Alliance, kick off the 5th anniversary of Black Maternal Health week by celebrating the Alliance’s incredible victories so far and sharing about the events we have to look forward to during this year’s BHMW.
Watch Vice President Kamala Harris’ urgent call to action to improve Black maternal health outcomes.
We can do better for the women of our country on maternal health. pic.twitter.com/UIxjg7P6QB
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) April 14, 2022
Read the policy recommendations and first-person accounts of Black women advocating for Black maternal health
- Solving the Black Maternal Health Crisis Will Require Advancing Access to Community-Based Doula Care by Vina Smith-Ramakrishnan, The Century Foundation
- Black Maternal Health Week Is Here. This Is Why It Matters by Janelle Bolden, MD, Reproductive Health Project for Maternal Fetal Medicine Blog
- What Black Maternal Health Disparities Mean For Childless Black Women, commentary by Kwentoria A. Williams in Essence Magazine
- How Serena Williams Saved Her Own Life by Serena Williams for Elle Magazine
Show your support and spread awareness for Black Maternal Health Week on social media
Share using hashtags #BlackMaternalHealthWeek and #BMHW22
Shout out to @MamatotoVillage for showing us how to change our language around maternal health.
— Black Midwife (@SassyE) April 13, 2022
"A crisis positions Black birthing people as the issue when in reality, white supremacy in our medical institutions is the problem." #BMHW22 pic.twitter.com/ngSocZ0Vvd
Pregnancy-related deaths are rising in the U.S., especially for Black women.
— Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (@RWJF) April 11, 2022
Inequitable access to prenatal care, structural racism in healthcare systems, & lack of investments in maternal care are all root causes of the maternal health crisis dating back generations. #BMHW22 pic.twitter.com/YyPWlRzMI9
To celebrate the 5 anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week, I am going to showcase my artwork of Black Mothers: Safe and Cared For. Trust that Black women know and understand their bodies. We need a healthcare system where we are seen, heard and respected. #BMHW22 #BlackWomen pic.twitter.com/OLOFqKlBYT
— Lucinda Canty PhD, CNM, Nurse-Midwife (@LucindaCantyPhD) April 13, 2022
With #BlackMaternalHealthWeek coming up, I’m sharing the official poster for my film Black Motherhood through the Lens! #BMHW22
— Ade Osinubi (@Ade_Osinubi) April 8, 2022
#BMTL is a documentary about 4 Black women’s experiences in navigating reproductive health disparities. For info, visit https://t.co/6ZUBMlac3h pic.twitter.com/uRNiZVOGVe
Learn more about Black Maternal Health Week 2022 by visiting the Black Mamas Alliance website and following them on Twitter and Instagram.
