Honoring Our Littlest Legacies: Why the Day of the Black Infant Matters

The Day of the Black Infant is a nationally recognized observance dedicated to raising awareness about the health disparities that disproportionately affect Black infants and their families. It serves as a time to honor the lives of Black babies lost to preventable causes, amplify the voices of Black families and birth workers, and advocate for equitable, culturally competent care. Rooted in community-led efforts, this day calls attention to the urgent need for systemic change in maternal and infant health outcomes.

Today, we pause to honor Black infants their lives, their futures, and the legacy they carry from the moment they are born. The Day of the Black Infant is more than just a moment of recognition, it’s a call to action.

Black babies in the United States are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday than white babies. According to the CDC, the infant mortality rate for Black infants is 10.6 per 1,000 live births, compared to 4.5 per 1,000 for white infants. This staggering disparity is not due to genetics it’s the result of systemic racism, limited access to quality care, and the chronic stress that Black mothers endure in a society that often fails to protect them.

And it doesn’t stop there.

• Black birthing people are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
  
  

• In some states, Black infants make up less than 15% of the population, but account for over 30% of infant deaths.
  
  

• Even when income, education, and access to prenatal care are accounted for, disparities persist showing that racism, not race, is the root.
  
  

As a doula and birth worker committed to Black birth justice, I see daily how support, advocacy, and culturally competent care can shift outcomes. Doulas, especially Black doulas, play a vital role in reducing complications and improving both birth and postpartum experiences. Studies show that birthing people who receive doula support are less likely to experience birth complications, have lower C-section rates, and are more likely to breastfeed.

This day is not just about remembering the lives lost, it’s about fighting for the lives yet to be born.

It’s about building a world where:

• Black infants thrive, not just survive.
  
  

• Black parents are heard, supported, and respected.
  
  

• Community-led solutions are funded and uplifted.
  
  

Call to Action:

Support Black doulas. Fund community-based maternal health programs. Share this message. Challenge the systems that continue to fail Black families.

Let today be a reminder that Black infants are not just statistics, they are our future. And their future deserves protection, love, and justice.