Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week: Honoring Strength, Demanding Justice

Posted April 17, 2025

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), celebrated each year from April 11–17, is a powerful call to action. It’s a time to honor the resilience and strength of Black mothers and birthing people while shining a light on the urgent need for systemic change in maternal health care.

At Mommy2Bee, we celebrate Black Maternal Health Week by standing in solidarity with those advocating for safer pregnancies, equitable care, and supportive mental health services. This week is not only a celebration—it's a reminder that Black women are still 3 to 4 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women in the U.S., and the disparities are even more severe in New York.

The Reality We Face

In New York City, Black women are 9 times more likely to die due to pregnancy-related complications than White women. On Long Island, Black mothers continue to face limited access to culturally competent care, underdiagnosed mental health issues, and implicit bias in medical institutions.

Why Black Maternal Health Week Matters

BMHW is about amplifying Black voices and advancing community-driven solutions. It’s a time to:

• Advocate for policies that support respectful, high-quality care for all.
• Celebrate Black birth workers, doulas, and midwives leading the charge.
• Address maternal mental health and the importance of culturally relevant services.
• Educate communities and uplift the experiences of Black mothers who are too often silenced.

We must continue to demand access, equity, and justice in reproductive and maternal care.

New York-Based Black Maternal Health Resources & Advocacy Directory

These organizations are working tirelessly to advance equity, protect maternal rights, and uplift Black mothers across New York:

Citywide / Statewide

1. Black Mamas Matter Alliance – NYC Chapter: Advocates for birth justice and promotes research and policy for Black maternal health.
2. NYC Department of Health – Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee: Tracks and analyzes maternal deaths to shape life-saving interventions.
3. New York Birth Justice: Organizes grassroots efforts to end birth inequity and amplify community-led policy change.
4. The Seleni Institute: Provides maternal mental health care with a focus on serving women of color in NYC.
5. National Birth Equity Collaborative: Partners with local agencies across NY to eliminate racial disparities in maternal outcomes.
6. Nurse Family Partnership (NFP): A free, evidence-based home visiting program that pairs registered nurses with first-time mothers during pregnancy through the child’s second birthday, offering critical support, education, and advocacy to reduce maternal and infant health disparities across the city/state.

New York City-Based

1. The Bronx Health Link, Inc: Works with pregnant women and families in underserved Bronx communities.
2. Ancient Song Doula Services: Provides low-cost doula care to Black and brown communities.
3. SisterSong NYC: National women of color reproductive justice collective with NYC-specific initiatives.
4. Moms Rising – New York Chapter: Advocates for paid leave, healthcare access, and anti-racist birth policies.

Long Island-Based

1. Adelphi University’s Institute for Parenting: Offers maternal and infant mental health services and professional training.
2. Long Island Doula Association (LIDA): Connects families with trained doulas and childbirth education resources.
3. Suffolk County Perinatal Coalition: Focuses on improving birth outcomes through culturally relevant education and advocacy.
4. Nassau County Office of Health Equity: Offers localized maternal health programming and supports food, housing, and medical access.

Let's Take Action

During Black Maternal Health Week—and every day—Mommy2Bee stands committed to being part of the solution. Whether you're a mother, doula, health worker, or advocate, your voice and your care matter. Let’s continue to support these organizations, demand accountability, and protect our sisters, daughters, and friends.

Because when Black mothers are well, families and communities thrive.