In this special edition newsletter, we share toolkits, resources, events, work underway, and ways you can honor Black birth & advance Black maternal health outcomes. | |
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There are daily activities, toolkits, and ways to get involved with Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) hosted, partner, and related events.
Kick off #BMHW24 on April 11th by joining the official Tweet chat, honoring Black Doulas, and raising awareness of Int’l Day of Maternal Health & Rights.
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The BELIEVE team is collaborating with partners throughout the week to share local and virtual events to join! We will conclude #BMHW24 with a BELIEVE co-hosted webinar on April 18th at 12pm ET that honors the knowledge of Black experts.
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We must first LISTEN. Listen to Black birthing people. Listen to Black providers. When we learn from the people, experts in the lived-experiences, we can better implement change.BELIEVE social media team has created content to uplift Black maternal health stories and messages this week. | |
Podcast & Reels: BELIEVE Birth Innovation Conversations | |
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"The need for connection and support is there.
People need people"
- LaToshia Rouse
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BELIEVE Birth team and partners have collaborated on a new video reel and podcast series that covers a variety of maternal heatlh care topics, "BELIEVE Birth Innovation Conversations."
In this inaugural reel, LaToshia Rouse, Birth Sisters Doula, shares how we can integrate holistic care into maternal health services.
NEW videos/podcasts will be launched each month. Be sure you are on our email list and following us on social media to view the latest topic, expert, and reel.
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NC Black Maternal Health Events | | |
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April 11, 2024 | 8:30-3pm
South Piedmont AHEC Black Maternal Health Conference takes place April 11th in Charlotte, NC - Registration, agenda, and details here. BELIEVE team member, Precious Ikejiaku, is presenting a student poster, "Limitations to the Implementation of Doula Care in North Carolina for Black Birthing Women."
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April 12, 2024 | 4-7pm
Equity Before Birth Community Event, Fundraiser, Family Dance Party
Can't attend the 3rd annual EBB dance party in Durham?
You can make a huge difference with a donation. 100% of individual donations go directly to the families we serve and our BIPOC service providers.
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April 13, 2024 | 8a - 2pm
Walk4MAAME Sponsor or Support
Join MAAME for their 1st walk, run, stroll fundraiser in-person or virtually. You can also donate or sponsor the event - or even attribute your support to someone if you wish from our website or the event portal. Buy a t-shirt at check-out!
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April 18, 2024 | 12-1pm ET (virtual)
Prioritizing Black Maternal Mental Health: Learning from the Knowledge of Experts
Presented by Jasmine L. Garland McKinney, PhD, LCMHCA (NC), NCC, Postdoctoral Associate, the University of Maryland, College Park
Conclude Black Maternal Health Week with a webinar and discussion co-hosted with the BELIEVE Birth & 4th Trimester Project Teams. 1-Nursing Contact Hours is available for live session participation.
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April 30th, 2024
Black Pearl's Society Black Maternal Health Conference in Durham, NC.
Find details here.
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Believe in Black Birth Work | |
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BELIEVE IPE team is investing in generational maternal health advocates for change
Research shows that training interdisciplinary healthcare providers together can enhance care for new mothers. According to a study published in the Journal of Interprofessional Care (Smith et al., 2019), interdisciplinary collaboration in maternal health care leads to improved outcomes for both mothers and infants, including reduced rates of postpartum complications and increased rates of breastfeeding initiation and continuation.
We first LISTEN to birthing families and their care teams to then inform best practices as we create innovative ways to educate and train different types of care providers that serve birthing families.
Our team is proud to seek out people who are passionate about this work and bring them into our conversations, work, and network.
Read a few ways our team is getting upstream to advance maternal health workforce and training:
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Some convenings and celebrations this year around Black birth and JOY: | |
A lot of behind-the-scenes work is underway to create evidence-based resources for training and education. As we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week, we want to elevate the dedication of our partners to create spaces for brave conversations, authentic connections, and pushing what's possible in healthcare. | | |
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Save the date! May 13, 2024
Achieving Lactation Excellence: Unleash the Power of Caring with Impact, Equity, and Evidence-Based Support
Janiya Mitnaul Williams, MA, IBCLC, CLC keynotes the 2024 GOLD Lactation Online Conference - live on May 13! Reserve your FREE seat for live & recorded access!
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July 19-25th, 2024
Black Maternal Mental Health Conference
Our team will be at the Shades of Blue Black Maternal Mental Health Conference. Join us!
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Save the date! August 7-9, 2023
Uplifting Black and Brown Lactation Success 2024 Conference Registration is now OPEN!
This conference marks a significant collaboration between the Human Lactation Program at NC A&T and Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE), aiming to uplift and support Black and Brown lactation professionals, birth workers, and community members. We are dedicated to providing a platform for sharing knowledge, fostering community, and advocating for equity in lactation support.
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You can connect with our team and partners by: | | |
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Getting on our email list
Join the Believe IPE listserv to get the latest events, resources, and news from our team and partners.
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Following @Believe_Birth on social media
By following #BelieveBirth on Instagram, you're not only supporting our message, but you'll hear from our experts and stay updated on new events, resources, and content. Please also re-post and share with your networks!
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Joining BELIEVE IPE & partner events
Our partners and team frequently host or participate in maternal health learning opportunities. We'll share where we'll be and invitations to join us on email and social media.
Many events are open-access and free to join.
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BELIEVE is a part of the Health Equity Research Network (HERN), funded by the American Heart Association through the P3 EQUATE Network at the University of Alabama.
The ‘DREAM: Dismantling Structural Racism to Promote Equitable Maternal Health Outcomes‘ project is a partner in this work.
The American Heart Association is giving $20 million to start HERN. This network will help us learn more about why some women-especially Black women and Native American women, are more likely to have problems during childbirth and after. About half of these problems are related to the heart and blood vessels, so the American Heart Association is in a good position to help solve this important issue.
The goal of all this work is to make the healthcare system better so that every birthing person and healthcare worker is treated with respect and care.
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