Reclaiming our narrative and centering our stories for breastfeeding justice.
It is Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week in Los Angeles County and nationwide, and we are honoring the voices and journeys of cherished Black birthing families. The founders of Black Breastfeeding Week have named the theme for this week: “Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice ”.
Black breastfeeding justice is deeply intertwined with reproductive justice – as described by SisterSong, our right to “have children, not have children, and to parent children in safe and sustainable communities.” With a history of forced wet-nursing, false claims of breastmilk’s inferiority as a means to sell formula, and the marketing of lactation as a private, personal choice so as not to provide adequate resources, education, or social policies to support nursing women, alongside persistent judgment whether one decides to or not to breastfeed, the United States has not been a just place for Black parents. Human milk is safe and sustainable as long as those who produce it are safe and supported. And we know that you know what works best for your body and your baby and we want you to feel empowered to make those choices..
This week, the Los Angeles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) is sharing stories from nursing people and collaborating with community organizations to celebrate Black breast/chestfeeding at events throughout the region . We at AAIMM want to contribute to healthy and joyous pregnancy and birthing for all Black families, and we are honored to provide breast/chestfeeding resources and support for nursing people. For more information, visit AAIMM’s breast/chestfeeding hub: blackinfantsandfamilies.org/breastfeeding.
To commemorate this special week, we invite you to read the inspiring stories below, join our community events and share your breast/chestfeeding journey. Like, share and follow Black breast/chestfeeding stories on Instagram at @blackinfantsandfamiliesla, @Blkbfingweek and on Facebook @Blackinfantsandfamilies and @BlackBreastfeedingWeek, and on X @bif_la.
During Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week and every week, AAIMM joins you in reclaiming our narrative about the art and basic human right of feeding our young, celebrating a diversity of stories toward lactation justice for all Black parents, and centering our stories to support all Black families.
BLACK BREAST/CHESTFEEDING
WEEK EVENTS
You are invited to participate in these county-wide celebrations of Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week. Click the fliers below for more information!
Black Breastfeeding Basics VirtualiTEA Meet up with the South Los Angeles/South BayAfrican American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (SLASB AAIMM) for their Breastfeeding Basics VirtualiTEA hosted by the Community Outreach and Engagement Workgroup, featuring guest speaker, Rhonda Clayton, from CinnaMoms.
When: Tuesday, August 27 - 4:30 - 6:00 pm
Where: Virtual
9th Anniversary Celebration hosted by CinnaMoms – Join the party and celebrate the 9th anniversary of CinnaMoms as we commemorate Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week and uplift the beauty of Black motherhood and breastfeeding. The free festivities will include a Purple Couch Talk and a photoshoot for families in attendance.
When: Wednesday, August 28 - 11:30 am - 3:00 pm
Where: CinnaMoms Crenshaw
3667 Crenshaw Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90017
Breast Milk Drive hosted by Antelope Valley AAIMM Community Action Team (CAT) – Join us for a Breast Milk Drive to celebrate National Breastfeeding Month and Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week while contributing to the health and wellbeing of infants-in-need. Whether you have frozen breastmilk to donate (minimum of 50 ounces requested) or simply want to join our celebration, you are welcome.
When: Wednesday, August 28
10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Where: Antelope Valley Wellness Community
335-B East Ave. K-6, Lancaster, CA 93535
Birthing Boldly, Fearlessly Feeding: Know Your Rights for Parents & Providers hosted by Breastfeed LA – Celebrate 30 years of Breastfeed LA at this two-day event, which brings together community members and professionals to explore topics affecting families in their childbearing years. Attendees will explore birthing people’s rights, paid family leave, lactation rights and more. Continuing education credit available for professionals. Scholarships available for parents and community activists.
When: Thursday and Friday, August 29-30, 2024
Where: The California Endowment
1000 Alameda St., Los Angeles, CA 90012
Community BabyShower hosted by San Gabriel Valley AAIMM CAT – This free day of fun will include yoga sessions, a crochet class, baby item giveaways, a resource fair, a design-your-own onesie station, healthy food demonstrations and more. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
When: Saturday, August 31 - 10 am to 5 pm
Where: Jackie Robinson Recreational Center
1081 N. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena CA 91103
Our Breastfeeding Stories
You are invited to participate in these county-wide celebrations of Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week:
Meet two Los Angeles County moms who are sharing their inspiring breastfeeding stories. Learn about their breastfeeding role models and what advice they have for breast/chestfeeding people.
|
Ashley Byrd is a breastfeeding mom of four from LA County Service Planning Area (SPA) 8. Calling breastfeeding a moving experience, she answers our questions about feeding and weaning her children, and underscores the importance of safe spaces to breastfeed in L.A. County.
|
Corene Lavhan is a postpartum doula from LA County Service Planning Area (SPA) 3. She nursed her three children and cherished the bonding time with each of them, but realized her breastfeeding journey was different with each baby. Today, she encourages Black mothers to avoid unwanted advice on social media and to be confident in their choice to breastfeed their babies.
|
Summer of Community Engagement with AAIMM
Together with our champion partners in Black maternal and infant health, AAIMM was out in community throughout Summer 2024, advocating for healthy and joyous births for Black families. Every day, AAIMM addresses the unacceptably high rates of Black infant and maternal deaths in Los Angeles County by providing culturally relevant support to Black mothers, birthing people and families. We raise awareness about Black birth equity (solutions, factors and ways to achieve), advocate for quality health care that is delivered with respect and dignity, and provide support, including sister circles, prenatal groups, birthing coaches, advocates and activists for safe and joyous births. Here is a recap of some of our recent events:
AAIMM’s South LA / South Bay CAT hosted a Black Birth Worker Career Fair on July 27 with the goal of supporting Black people and people of color currently in and those who wish to join birthworker space. The fair featured several of our community-based organizations and providers sharing their programs and services, resume/interview skill building and birthworker business development workshops, and an amazing birthworker panel discussion. The team was grateful for the University Community Church for opening their doors to us and the community who express their excitement for the career fair and expressed strong interest in these continuous offerings, including the opportunity to participate in future Doula, Lactation Education trainings.
AAIMM co-sponsored a Free Baby Expo & Resource Fair on Aug. 1 in Van Nuys, to celebrate Breastfeeding Awareness Month. The free event included mom and baby resources, fresh produce, family activities, breast pumps and more.
The Sugar Heal Gang, a collective of birth workers who provide free maternity services to Black and Indigenous families in L.A., hosted its Sugar Heal Gang Summer Splash on August 11. The summer celebration was sponsored by Black Maternal Health Fund in collaboration with AAIMM and First5LA.
Black Women for Wellness hosted its 25th Annual Reproductive Justice Conference entitled “A New Era of Justice: Our Bodies, Our Voices, Our Freedom on August 15. At the event, Black women and girls discussed the political and economic climate that places our fundamental rights in jeopardy. Participants addressed critical issues, such as the Supreme Court’s ruling on Roe v. Wade, Black relationships, healthy births, and maternal access.
The Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU) Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence, Nurse Jadah Chatterjee, the LA County Abundant Birth Project and South LA/South Bay AAIMM CAT hosted Dîner en Blanc, A Celebration of Black Breastfeeding on August 17. Held at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science, the event featured food, music, panels and resources to uplift and empower Black families and their babies. AAIMM co-sponsored the event.
AAIMM’s Santa Clarita & San Fernando Valleys CAT hosted Celebrate Black Breastfeeding! on August 24. The brunch event connected breastfeeding families with lactation professionals and provided other resources and support for breast/chestfeeding success.
If there is an event that you think AAIMM should support or sponsor,
please complete this AAIMM Sponsorship Request Form.
ONGOING PROGRAMS
Take part in our ongoing programs to support healthy and joyous births for Black families.
Click the fliers below for more information!
Black Daddy Dialogues – AAIMM’s South LA / South Bay Community Action Team continues to change the narrative around African American/Black fathers and families with our monthly Black Daddy Dialogue meetings. Fathers and father figures of all ages who are supporting pregnant people or raising African American/Black children are welcome at these virtual meetings, held on Zoom every 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. For more information about AAIMM’s Fatherhood Program, call or text DAD to 323/745-2771.
Black Daddy Dialogue: via Zoom
The next session is September 11, 2024 at 6:30 pm
No registration is required
Abundant Birth Project – A guaranteed income program for the people facing the greatest risk during their pregnancy journey has just launched in Los Angeles county. Developed by Expecting Justice, the California Abundant Birth Project provides cash during pregnancy to prevent stress. Research shows this is likely to prevent babies from being born too early or too small and can also protect the health of the mother (birthing parent).
Abundant Birth Project: Review eligibility criteria and apply.
AAIMM Community Action Teams (CATs) – Join our efforts to end Black infant and maternal deaths in Los Angeles County by making a difference in your community:
Antelope Valley AAIMM CAT
Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]
Next Meeting/Event: Breast Milk Drive, Aug. 28
South LA & South Bay AAIMM CAT
Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]
Next Meeting/Event: SLASB AAIMM CAT Bi-monthly Regional Meeting
Every Other Month, the 4th Thursday: upcoming Sep. 26; 4pm – 7pm; Topic: Voter Education
San Gabriel Valley Community Action Team
Join our team: for more information, email [email protected]
Next Meeting/Event: Community Baby Shower, Aug. 31 (see flyer in events section)
Santa Clarita & San Fernando Valleys AAIMM CAT
Join our team: for more information, email arussell@ph.lacounty.gov or [email protected]
Next Meeting/Event: Pregnancy & Infant Loss Remembrance, Oct. 12
Showing 1 reaction
Sign in with
Facebook