Did you know that Black women and birthing people in the United States are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white people?
This crisis isn’t new.
It’s the result of a long and ongoing history of medical violence, anti-Black racism, and white supremacy embedded in our health care systems and institutions.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of Black Maternal Health Week, a time to uplift and amplify Black led organizations and workers who are helping their communities rise above these statistics.
You can’t talk about reproductive freedom without talking about who survives pregnancy and birth. Abortion access and Black maternal health are both essential — and both are under attack.
The Trump administration is actively working to dismantle federal protections, defund community clinics by withholding Title X funding, and control access care.
These are deliberate choices designed to strip power from Black, Brown, poor, and queer communities.
Real reproductive freedom means the ability to make decisions about our bodies and families, and to live through those decisions with safety, support, and care.
This roundup is filled with ways to uplift the work of Black-led organizations, doulas, midwives, and advocates.
These folks and organizations are building a world where Black people not only survive pregnancy and birth, but are met with care that honors their dignity, their autonomy, and their right to live full, supported lives.
Here’s your biweekly roundup of actions:
Engage with and Support Black Mamas Matter Alliance
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance that centers Black mamas and birthing people to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.
Donate to Surge Reproductive Justice
Surge is a Black-led reproductive justice organization based in Washington.
Their work centers Black and Indigenous communities through grassroots organizing, leadership development, and transformative policy work.
Share This Doula Resource: Blkbry
Blkbry is a Black owned and operated free-standing doula center.
They serve Black people and families in Washington state, and you can search for a Black doula using their community directory.
With love,
Pro-Choice Washington
