Dear team,

This Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), we uplift the voices, stories, and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people. It’s a time to celebrate, raise awareness, inspire activism, and build community in the fight for birth and reproductive justice.

The U.S. remains in a maternal health crisis and Black women continue to face the highest risks. They are nearly three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related causes. As anti-rights forces work to dismantle access to holistic and respectful care, the work of the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) is more essential than ever. Learn more about their vital work.

This year’s theme: Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health through Collective Action and Advocacy highlights the power of coming together to build a future rooted in equity and healing. BMMA continues to lead with innovative research, policy proposals, and educational resources that drive real change.

Explore the BMHW toolkit to see how you can take action this week.

At the Center, we’re proud to partner with BMMA. Through our Maternal Health & Rights Initiative, we’re fighting to remove legal barriers to midwifery care, expand access to high-quality maternity care, and address pervasive racism in the health care system.

Black Mamas have always been at the forefront of movements for justice, bridging families, communities, and change. With you and our partners, we’ll continue working toward a future where every Black birthing person receives care that is safe, respectful, and dignified.

In Solidarity,

Breana Lipscomb
Senior Advisor, Maternal Health & Rights