LOS ANGELES COUNTY, CA – In honor of National Public Health Week (April 7–13), the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) hosted two impactful town halls spotlighting the critical role of midwifery in improving perinatal health outcomes for Black families in Los Angeles County. 

Held on April 8 and April 11, 2025, in partnership with Kindred Space LA, Charles Drew University’s Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence, Black Women for Wellness, and the California Black Women’s Health Project, these events brought together public health leaders, midwifery professionals, birth equity advocates, and community members for dynamic discussions on the state of midwifery care.

“Midwifery care is preventative care. The pregnant person is healthier because they have access to information and support,” said panelist Allegra Hill, LM, CPM, IBCLC, Co-Founder of Kindred Space LA. “Support and education have a positive outcome on the birth and postpartum experience and the health of the family moving forward.”

The panel featured midwives and maternal health advocates, including Kimberly Durdin, LM, CPM, IBCLC, Co-Founder of Kindred Space LA, Janell Moore, MPH, LM, CPM at Jasiri Midwifery, Debbie Allen, LM, CPM, Founder, Tribe Midwifery, and Gabrielle Brown, Program Manager, Black Women for Wellness. 

Together, they explored the progress, challenges, and future of integrating midwifery into mainstream healthcare to reduce disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The town hall addressed critical barriers both providers and patients face, ranging from lack of access to culturally affirming care to systemic inequities in the medical system.

“The Black Women for Wellness Action Project is sponsoring California legislation that seeks to improve the overall health status and health outcomes of pregnant women and mothers across the state,” said Gabrielle Brown. “Through policies like Senate Bill 464, which requires implicit bias training every 2 years, and Assembly Bill 55, which would affect how birth centers are licensed and reimbursed through Medi-Cal, we’re working to hold healthcare providers accountable.” 

Town hall attendees included healthcare professionals, doulas, policymakers, and community members, many of whom shared firsthand experiences with midwifery services. These town halls reaffirmed what data and lived experience have long shown: midwifery care is a vital, culturally responsive solution to improving maternal and infant health outcomes in Black communities. The conversations don’t end here; AAIMM remains committed to collaboration, education, and systemic change to ensure every birth is healthy and joyous.

About AAIMM  

The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) is a collaborative effort led by the Los Angeles County Health Agency—alongside First 5 LA, community-based organizations, and families—united to end the alarming rates of Black maternal and infant deaths. Through initiatives like free doula support, community action teams, and fatherhood engagement, AAIMM is working to ensure that Black families experience healthy and joyous births across Los Angeles County.