It's Black Maternal Health Week — in the middle of Minority Wellness Month. Black women in the United States die from pregnancy-related causes at two to three times the rate of white women. This is not an accident of biology. It is a crisis of systemic racism, unequal access to care, and a healthcare system that has historically dismissed the pain and concerns of Black women.
Black Maternal Health Week, led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, was founded to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black mothers — and to center Black women in the fight for maternal health justice.
Listen, Learn, Connect, and Grow
Below are resources to help you engage with this work:
- Read more about the Black Mamas Matter Alliance and the research behind Black maternal health disparities at blackmamasmatter.org
- Learn about Serena Williams' harrowing birth story and what it says about how Black women are treated in medical settings even when they have resources and prominence
- Follow Chamber of Mothers, Black Mamas Matter, Birth Manifesta, Homeland Heart TN on social media for ongoing education and advocacy
- Advocate for policies that expand doula access, implement anti-racism training for providers, and hold hospitals accountable for racial disparities in maternal outcomes
This Is Not Just One Week's Work
Black Maternal Health Week is a call to sustained attention. The statistics are urgent. The solutions require policy change, cultural transformation, and the willingness of every healthcare provider — including mental health providers — to examine how race shapes who receives quality care and who doesn't.
Don't let April be the only month you listen, learn, connect, and grow. Healing happens together.
Mamaya Health is committed to providing affirming, accessible mental health care for Black mothers and all mothers navigating the perinatal period. Connect with our team → Explore our maternal care →
