Black Maternal Health Week

Date & Time: Thursday, Apr 11, 2024, 6 PM
Where: 70 W Heading Street, San Jose, CA
Join Santa Clara Valley Healthcare for a screening of two short films: Megalyn Echikunwoke’s “Weathering” and Venus Jones’ “Lil’ Red Riding the Wrong Way in the Hood,” which chronicle the numerous social drivers of health that disproportionately impact Black women and birthing people’s health and safety. The screenings will be followed by a roundtable discussion with leaders in health, childcare, education and community on how we design and implement healthy, safe communities for Black mamas and families. RSVP to attend.

Date & Time: Thursday, Apr 11, 2024, 12-1:30 PM PDT
Where: Online
Gather with Black birth justice advocates, birthworkers, and Black families for a restorative afternoon of yoga, breathwork, movement, storytelling, sound healing, and networking. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in two 30-minute wellness breakout sessions. Comfortable clothing and paper and pen are recommended. Register to attend and receive Zoom link.

Date & Time: Friday, Apr 12, 2024, 9:30 AM-3 PM PDT
Where: Online and in-person
Learn how implicit bias and structural racism contribute to disparities in health care outcomes for patients of African Ancestry, and how systems change can make a difference. Keynote speakers: Dr. Rhea Boyd (MD, MPH), Pediatrician, public health advocate, and scholar writing and teaching on the relationship between structural racism, inequity and health; and Lindsay du Plessis (DrPH, MPH), Community Engagement Lead, California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative. Scheduled events include a panel discussion on maternal health equity, featuring panelists: Alma Burrell (MPH), Chief Administrative Officer, Roots Community Health Center; Dr. Irogue Igbinosa (MD), OB/GYN and Maternal-Fetal Medicine fellow, Stanford University; and Leilani Michelle Jones, Executive Director, Office for Health Equity & Improvement, Santa Clara Valley Medical Center. Registration required.

Date & Time: Tuesday, April 16, 2024, 3:30-4:30 PM PDT
Where: Online
Roots Community Health is an Afro-centered community health center located in the Bay Area that strives to uplift Black and African Americans as well as our local communities to fight systemic inequities and disparities in the healthcare system. Join Roots Community Health's Women of Wellness (WoW) and Chef Joy Gadles for an awesome conversation on food, nutrition, and tips. Register to attend and receive a Zoom link and ingredient list for the cooking demonstration.

Date & Time: Wednesday, April 17, 2024, 3:30-4:30 PM PDT
Where: Online
Join Roots Community Health Center Women of Wellness for Wellness Wednesday with Krystalyn Goode! This virtual event is your ticket to a healthier and happier you. Get ready for an exciting session filled with tips, tricks, and inspiration to improve your well-being. Krystalyn Goode, a renowned wellness expert, will guide you through various practices and techniques to enhance your mental health. Whether you're a fitness enthusiast or just starting your wellness journey, this event is for you. So mark your calendars and get ready to kickstart your wellness routine. Don't miss out on this amazing opportunity to prioritize your well-being! Register to attend.

Dates & Times: Every other Friday Apr 19-June 14, 2024, 3-4:30 PM PDT.
Where: Online
Roots Community Health is an Afro-centered community health center located in the Bay Area that strives to uplift Black and African Americans as well as our local communities to fight systemic inequities and disparities in the healthcare system. Join Roots Community Health's Women of Wellness (WoW), our maternal health team, and our special guest and certified fitness instructor Coach Tiye from Kuumba LLC. Kuumba LLC will be providing a 6-week challenge in collaboration with Roots Clinic through West African dancing. The purpose is to create a safe space for women to engage in a positive activity towards physical health & well-being. African Americans are more likely in some situations to be at risk for chronic illnesses. By participating, you will be able to get your heart rate up, clear your mind, and add fun to your workout through engaging in afro-fitness. Register to attend.

Date & time: Thursday Apr 11, 9 AM PDT/12 PM EDT.
Join the Black Mamas Matter Alliance on Twitter/X where they will discuss reproductive justice and what it looks like to center Black mothers and birthing people. Use #BMHW24 to join the conversation.

Date & Time: Apr 11, 2024, 11:00 AM PDT
Maternal mortality is high in the U.S., and disparities persist. Non-Hispanic Black birthing persons are dying at nearly 3 times the rate of non-Hispanic White birthing persons. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are uniquely positioned to address this public health crisis, building on historical commitment and demonstrated experience serving the local community, and educating underrepresented students. These students often come from underserved areas with poor maternal outcomes who want to return to their communities to work. MSIs have built trust with their communities and can offer valuable insights to guide research. However, MSIs have historically been underrepresented in federal research funding. In response, HRSA created the Maternal Health Research Collaborative for Minority-Serving Institutions (the MSI Collaborative) to establish a multi-institution research network focused on building the capacity of MSIs to conduct research that addresses disparities in maternal mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and maternal health outcomes. Registration required.

Date & Time: Apr 11, 2024, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PDT
How does a public library reach its community with Black Maternal Health information? In this webinar, Sarah A. Montrichard-Ramón Cabrera from the Brooklyn Public Library will provide information about successful past and upcoming public programs on Black Maternal Health. She will be joined by Nuratu Otulana, who will share their experience collaborating with the library. This webinar will share best practices for community partnerships around health topics and provide examples of how attendees can implement similar partnerships in their community. Registration required.

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2024, 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM PDT
Part of the UMich Medical School's 2024 Black Maternal Health Week Event Series. Vicarious racism is an accruing effect of being exposed to racial discrimination and/or prejudice that is experienced by another individual. (Heard-Garris et al., 2018) Black families all over the world are being exposed to the unfair treatment of black birthing people, resulting in death and trauma for many. This is how vicarious racism impacts Black families today. Bring your lunch and join the virtual conversation to learn about vicarious trauma, how it impacts Black birthing people and families, and what you can do to help. Registration required.

Date & Time: Apr 16, 2024, 10 AM PDT/1 PM EDT
Join the National Association to Advance Black Birth as they reintroduce their revamped Black Birthing Bill of Rights®, including new artwork, expanded language, and tangible resources. Registration required.

The BMMA recorded their Policy Day Webinar: a conversation on the intersection of health equity, reproductive justice, and faith. During this livestreamed discussion, they also shared policy recommendations as highlighted in BMMA’s comprehensive issues and values-based policy agenda, “Black Mamas Matter: In Policy and Practice," as well as a shared call to action that further ensures equitable maternal health care for Black birthing people.

Date & Time: Apr 17, 2024, 9 AM PDT/12 PM EDT
Hosted by BMMA Director of Research & Evaluation, Dr. Ayanna Robinson, featuring esteemed panelists Dr. Nikia Grayson, Chief Clinical Officer and Certified Nurse Midwife, at CHOICES: Memphis Center for Reproductive Health and Kwajelyn Jackson, Executive Director Feminist Women's Health Center. This YouTube Live session will delve into the historical context of abortion care among Black communities and examine the impact of recent Supreme Court decisions on access. You can watch the YouTube live on BMMA’s YouTube channel.

Date & Time: Apr 17, 2024, 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM PDT
Life After 2 Losses is a non-profit organization with the mission to prevent reproductive & health injustices through the support and empowerment of women & families in the community. The organization received a grant from the Region 1 Medical Library to continue their mission of 1) changing the narrative surrounding pregnancy loss 2) education and raising awareness 3) advocacy efforts and 4) grief support. This presentation will discuss their grant project to create educational programs to support Black, Indigenous, and people of color, (BIPOC) women on birth justice and health equity issues. Registration required.