The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative is proudly supporting the sixth celebration of Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), April 11-17. Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building. This year’s AAIMM campaign and activities for Black Maternal Health Week serve to amplify the voices of Black Mamas/Birthing Persons and center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

Our goal is to shine a spotlight on the urgent need to uplift Black families as we continue working to grow our village of support for Black mamas/birthing persons and their infants.

From Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA):

We are thrilled to reveal the official theme for Black Maternal Health Week 2023 (#BMHW23): “Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy!” In light of the steadily alarming rise of maternal mortality in the U.S., which recent data shows has been exacerbated by the pandemic; and amidst growing cases of clear neglect in care in hospital systems immediately after labor and delivery, BMMA continues to highlight and center culturally-congruent practices with a focus on Black Midwifery care and full-spectrum Black-led Doula care as sound, evidence-based solutions. Most importantly, these are practices and solutions that incorporate the true needs, wants and desires of Black women and birthing people.

The week is intentionally held during National Minority Health Month and begins on April 11th annually to join dozens of global organizations in marking this day as International Day for Maternal Health and Rights – an opportunity to advocate for the elimination of maternal mortality globally. The activities and conversations hosted throughout the week intentionally center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

Black Maternal Health Week was officially recognized by the White House on April 13, 2021 and in that same year, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors also passed a motion recognizing April 11-17 as Black Maternal Health Week and officially declared April 16 as the Day of the Black Infant.

The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative is aligning our 2023 campaign with messaging around the importance of growing the greater village of support around Black women/birthing persons before, during, and after birth in order to help support healthy and joyous birthing outcomes. As we support the efforts of BMMA during BMHW, we will also be sharing events from organizations within our network — including those hosted by our AAIMM Community Action Teams — creating social media posts and digital content, and providing information, which will enable us to get closer to our goal of bringing about more equitable birthing outcomes for ALL women.

Please check this website hub during the week of April 11-17 for event listings and other information, and feel free to share the link with your Village. Follow @blackinfantsandfamiliesla on Instagram for updates and use #BMHW23, and #GrowtheVillage to share your birthing journey with us.

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK
CALENDAR OF EVENTS

TUESDAY, APRIL 11TH

10AM - Doula Who? Doula How? Doula What?

The Transformative Power of Community Doulas

Location: Virtual
Watch Here: youtube.com/@lapubliclibrary
Registration Required? No
Contact :Khefri Riley, [email protected]

4:00 PM- Glowing While Growing

Location: CDU Maternal Home- 2014 West 41st Street Los Angeles, CA, 90062
RSVP LINK https://www.eventbrite.com/e/593423474587
Contact: Gabrielle Brown- [email protected]

WEDNESDAY APRIL 12TH

10:30 AM - Supporting Black Mothers: Restoring Joy

Location:MLK Jr. Center for Public Health- 11833 S. Wilmington Ave. Los Angeles, CA, 90059

RSVP LINK https://www.eventbrite.com/e/594969458667

Contact: Gabrielle Brown- [email protected]

4:30 PM - AV AAIMM Birthing Justice Screening

Location: Antelope Valley Partners for Health 44226 10 St West Lancaster CA 93534
RSVP LINK https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birthing-justice-film-screening-and-panel-discussion-tickets-590087887757

Contact: AV AAIMM Backbone Team, [email protected]

6:00 PM - LA Civil Rights Presents 'Birthing Justice' Screening and Panel Discussion

Location: Regal Cinemas @ L.A. Live in Downtown LA
RSVP LINK bit.ly/BirthingJusticeLA

Contact: Mark Pampanin - [email protected]

6:30 PM - Expert Panel: Clinicians Working in Black maternal health presented by Bobbie for Change x Bobbie Medical

Location: Reparations Club 3054 S. Victoria Ave. Los Angeles CA 90016

RSVP Contact: [email protected]

THURSDAY APRIL 13TH

7:00 PM - Uplifting Cosmic Joy through Womb Sovereignty

Location: Online
RSVP LINK frontlindoulas.com/healthewomb

Contact: Khefri Riley, [email protected]

FRIDAY APRIL 14TH

NOON - BMHW - SGV AAIMM Community Baby Shower and Food Giveaway

Location: African American Museum of Beginnings, 1460 E. Holt Ave., ste. 188, Pomona, CA 91767
RSVP LINK https://forms.gle/ZKjBA161ehU6D3gS6

Contact: [email protected]