Dear Friend,

We are excited to share an important update on the upcoming Black Maternal Health Legislative Summit, which will take place on October 17-18, 2024, in Richmond, VA. This summit represents a historic gathering of state legislators from over ten (10) states, coming together with a singular focus: to address the Black maternal health crisis and ensure equitable healthcare solutions for Black mothers and their families.

Why is this convening necessary?

The U.S. faces a stark reality when it comes to maternal health care, particularly for Black women. Black mothers are more than three times as likely to die from pregnancy-related complications as their white counterparts. These disparities stem from a complex web of factors—including systemic inequities in health care, lack of access to quality services, and racial bias.

This summit, hosted by Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott and Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas, is an unprecedented step toward confronting these challenges head-on. We are laying the groundwork for state-level solutions to reverse these troubling trends by bringing together policymakers, health experts, and advocates.

Why is this summit historic?

Never before have this many Black legislative leaders from across the southern states convened with a unified goal of improving maternal health care outcomes. From Alabama to Virginia, these legislators will collaborate to introduce and support legislation modeled after the Momnibus Act, focusing on expanding maternal healthcare access, improving data collection, and supporting community-driven healthcare solutions.

This is more than a conference—it’s a movement to ensure that every mother, regardless of race or zip code, receives the care she needs to thrive. We collectively work toward long-term policy change that will save lives by fostering dialogue across state lines and forging partnerships with key healthcare institutions.

We invite you to follow the summit's work as we continue to push forward with groundbreaking discussions, policy drafts, and legislative action plans that will be shared across the nation.

Together, we are leading the way toward equitable and accessible maternal health care. The future depends on it.

Best regards,

BLLN Team

Event Details:
📅 Start Date & Time: Thursday, October 17 @ 5pm
🕒 End Date & Time: Friday, October 18 @ 3pm

📍 Location: Virginia General Assembly

🛜 RSVP: Click here to RSVP

We look forward to seeing you there!

Becoming a corporate sponsor with the Black Legislative Leaders Network (BLLN) enhances your brand's visibility by associating it with a partnership that allows you to strategically engage with influential legislators, policymakers, and community leaders, fostering positive change. Moreover, your support helps recognize and celebrate Black legislative leaders who are crucial in shaping inclusive and equitable policies.

#ICYMI

Black Legislative Leaders Network and partners ring the Opening Bell of the New York Stock Exchange on Friday, June 14, 2024, to commemorate Juneteenth!

For more information please contact:

Jasper L. Hendricks, III
Executive Director & CEO
Black Legislative Leaders Network

[email protected]