Dear John,

As I reflect this year on Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), I am especially thoughtful about how the global COVID-19 pandemic, and its disproportionate impact on Black communities in the U.S., has made crystal clear the urgent and vital need to prioritize the health of marginalized communities.

Black Mamas Matter Alliance launched BMHW years ago as an opportunity to center the experiences of Black mothers, turn to community-driven research and solutions, and deepen the national conversation about how to shift Black maternal health outcomes in the face of significant disparities.

In honor of this week, we are highlighting some of our partners who center Black maternal health as they work to advance reproductive health, rights, and justice:

• The Beautywell Project — This Minnesota-based organization aims to end skin-lightening practices and chemical exposure so that individuals can live a healthy lifestyle in a toxin-free environment and embrace their identity while improving the well-being of women, children, and families.
• Health Equity Solutions — This Connecticut organization focuses on advancing equitable health care access, delivery, and outcomes for everyone in the state.
• Restoring Our Own Through Transformation (ROOTT) — This Black women-led reproductive justice organization is dedicated to collectively restoring well-being through self-determination, collaboration, and resources to meet the needs of women and families within communities.
• Finally, the collective policy initiative In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda - (featuring our partners SPARK Reproductive Justice Now, SisterReach, SisterLove, New Voices for Reproductive Justice, Women with a Vision, and Afiya Center) develops a national reproductive justice strategy to protect the abortion rights of Black women. In Our Own Voice also seeks to coordinate and support state-based reproductive justice issues regarding abortion rights and contraceptive access.

If you are interested in learning more about BMHW, Black Mamas Matter Alliance developed a toolkit for this week and have organized a series of events to deepen this critical conversation.

As NIRH continues its fight for reproductive freedom, we will continue to prioritize Black maternal health and wellness. Join us in making that commitment.

In solidarity,