Honoring Black Maternal Health Week: A Call to Action and Compassion

Every year from April 11–17, we observe Black Maternal Health Week a time dedicated to amplifying the voices of Black birthing people, raising awareness of the systemic inequities that affect our health, and advocating for a future where all families can thrive.

Black women in the United States are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. This heartbreaking statistic is not due to biology it’s the result of deeply rooted disparities in our healthcare systems, where bias, neglect, and lack of culturally competent care continue to put Black lives at risk.

But Black Maternal Health Week is more than just a time to reflect on disparities it’s a space for empowerment, education, and change. It’s about uplifting the work of Black midwives, doulas, advocates, and birth workers who are leading the charge in transforming birth outcomes. It’s about recognizing the power and knowledge in our communities and demanding accountability from systems that have historically failed us.

As someone passionate about birth work, I believe in the power of showing up for Black families not just this week, but every day. That means supporting access to care that is safe, respectful, and rooted in love. It means making sure that those who want to become doulas have the resources and guidance to do so. And it means never forgetting that Black mothers, Black babies, Black people and Black birth workers deserve to be safe, seen, and celebrated.

Let’s use this week to listen, to learn, and to act. Because Black maternal health is not just a week, it’s a movement.