During Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week, AAIMM Celebrates Lactation Educators and Consultants

Greetings from the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) where we center healthy, joyous Black births and celebrate Black breast- and chest-feeding every day. This month, we give attention to the healthy start that breast/chestfeeding provides babies, and this week we celebrate Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week with activities throughout Los Angeles County. See our event listing below!

Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25-31) was launched 13 years ago by activists Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green and Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka. Black Breastfeeding Week grew out of the need to build awareness about and highlight the special challenges and triumphs of being Black and breastfeeding. At this critical point in time, we are grateful for these leaders who created this week and curate annual events that support bodily autonomy and encourage mothers to be equipped with knowledge and tools to nourish their infants.

The 2025 Black Breastfeeding Week theme is “Boots on the Ground! Rooted in Breastfeeding Success, Grounded in Community Support." At AAIMM, we celebrate the importance of community support to create breast/chestfeeding success in the Black community. Here at AAIMM, we are honoring all International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC) and Certified Lactation Education Specialists (CLES), with a special shoutout to our Black lactation educators who help new parents navigate infant feeding through engaging and innovative education, support groups, and resources. Our amazing specialists are being featured on our IG Live throughout Black Breastfeeding Week.

AAIMM provides Black families with a directory of Safe Spaces for Breast/Chestfeeding, which is continuously updated with new information. 

If you are anywhere in Los Angeles County and you would like your location to be designated as a Safe Space for Black breast/chestfeeding, sign up here: https://www.blackinfantsandfamilies.org/become_a_safe_space 

If you need breast/chestfeeding support, you can learn more at https://www.blackinfantsandfamilies.org/breastfeeding.

Finally, I’d also like to share an article with you. Please take a moment to read:From Slavery To Liberation: The Diasporic Legacy of Black Breastfeeding

In solidarity,

Adjoa Jones, MBA, CLES, Doula
Director, African American Infant/Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM)

Birth Equity Unit Chief 

Maternal, Child, Adolescent, and Health Division 

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

AAIMM Breast/Chestfeeding Week Events

Rewatch Our IG Live Breastfeeding Tips from Lactation Experts

Rewatch this important Instagram Live from earlier this week featuring lactation experts here. Feel free to tag your friends and family on this video to share these helpful tips across your network.

AAIMM Upcoming AAIMM Events

AAIMM Policy and Advocacy Workgroup - October 29th 

Ongoing Programs

AAIMM offers several ongoing programs to support Black families. Read below for ways to connect, learn, activate your village, and celebrate your family:

Expecting Father Group - New Sessions Begin Every Month

Black Daddy Dialogue - Every 2nd Wednesday

San Fernando & Santa Clarita Valley CAT

Celebrates Fatherhood

Black dads from the San Fernando & Santa Clarita valleys were highlighted August 16 when AAIMM’s local Community Action Team hosted a Fatherhood Celebration at a restaurant in Sherman Oaks called Mardi Gras Tuesday. Participating dads said the space was inviting, relaxing and safe. The fathers participated in open and honest discussions including a session on mental health led by AAIMM’s Fatherhood Coordinator Davion Mauldin. Topics included stigma, postpartum depression, stress, support systems, mindfulness and wellness. Each father received a gift bag to complete the celebration.

Documentary on Fatherhood Screens in LA

Bryce Savoy successfully completed the AAIMM Expecting Fathers Group in 2024 and has supported the fatherhood program ever since. He recently premiered his documentary BIG BRYCE SON in Los Angeles on August 21. The documentary is an intimate portrayal of legacy, fatherhood, grief, and growth. It explores the life of Oakland-raised artist and storyteller Bryce as he navigates the passing of his father while stepping into fatherhood himself. The premiere screening included a Q&A with Bryce and director Eddy Orellana, moderated by AAIMM Fatherhood Coordinator Davion Mauldin. The discussion focused on the story, creative process and themes explored in the film.

Join Our Community Action Teams

Make a difference in your community by joining our local efforts to end Black infant and maternal deaths in Los Angeles County. Stay tuned for information on dates for upcoming CAT meetings:

Antelope Valley AAIMM CAT

Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]

South LA & South Bay AAIMM CAT

Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]

San Gabriel Valley CAT

Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]

Santa Clarita & San Fernando Valleys AAIMM CAT

Join our team: for more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]

Send us Your Upcoming Events

If you would like to see your event added to our next newsletter, please use the AAIMM Village News Updates form to let us know about any news, stories, events, or important information that you'd like to share with the AAIMM community. The next edition of the AAIMM Village News will be sent out in mid-December.

We thank you for your continued support and engagement and look forward to seeing you soon in the Los Angeles County community, especially at upcoming events like Taste of Soul and the Black Birth Equity Summit in October. Please visit our Get Involved page if you would like to collaborate, learn more of our work, have any questions and/or require additional information.