Happy Holidays 

During this holiday season, I am reminded that this time of year can hold both joy and uncertainty. Many in our community are facing real challenges, from delayed SNAP benefits to the rising cost of health insurance and essential care. And as always, we hold the ongoing concern about what these shifts mean for Black maternal and infant health, especially in light of the numerous stories we have seen where Black women/birthing people have been dismissed during their laboring and delivery. 

Yet, even in the midst of these challenges, I remain deeply hopeful.

My holiday wish for you and your family is simple: that you feel supported, seen, and held by your Village, and that you have space to rest and that joy finds its way to you.

As we move into the season of celebration, reflection, and Kwanzaa, I’m filled with pride for everything we accomplished together in 2025. Our collective work, driven by love and unwavering commitment, continues to strengthen our community and create pathways for Black birthing people to experience safe, healthy, and joy-filled births.

This year, we engaged with thousands of families, offering support, connection and care at some of the most vulnerable and life-changing moments.

As we look toward the future, AAIMM is doubling down on our commitment to care, compassion and community-rooted solutions. In 2026, we will continue to provide culturally centered mental health support for Black birthing people, offer community-based doula care, and deepen the partnerships that help us meet families where they are, with dignity, love and practical support.

Thank you for being part of this movement, this Village and this vision. Together, we are building a Los Angeles County where every Black parent and baby is welcomed into the world with joy, safety, and community by their side. Read the 2025 Highlights below featuring a few of our key programs.

With deep love and gratitude,

Adjoa Jones

AAIMM Director

Birth Equity Unit Chief

Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division

Health Promotion Bureau • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

2025 Highlights

AAIMM had an incredible year of events, partnerships, programming and work toward pregnancy and birth equity. The programs listed below are examples of the justice-centered work we did throughout Los Angeles County in 2025. As always, we welcome your continued participation and support. We encourage you to welcome others into our AAIMM Village in 2026.

• AAIMM Village Fund – The AAIMM Village Fund, which seeks to support community-led efforts that reinforce the broad goals of the AAIMM Initiative announced six new grantees for 2026 today (December 19, 2025). Visit the Village Fund website on or after that date to share in this exciting announcement, as well as to view past grantees. The Fund partners with nonprofit organizations, small businesses, social enterprises, networks, and other service providers that provide valuable support to Black-birthing mothers and their families.The Village Fund seeks applications annually from those interested and capable of supporting the journey to a joyous and healthy birth for Black families, but are unlikely to receive or administer a county contract directly. 
• Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week – In August, AAIMM commemorated Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week by honoring the “Boots on the Ground” – including Doulas and lactation specialists – who generate community support for breast/chest feeding success in the Black community. Through events, brunches and an Instagram live, we provided lactation education and support for Black people. In 2011, the United States Breastfeeding Committee established August as National Breastfeeding Month to celebrate breastfeeding and address its unique challenges. In 2014, Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green and Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka founded Black Breastfeeding Week, which takes place during the last week of National Breastfeeding Month. Sangodele-Ayoka said that she and her co-founders “created the week as a way to promote breastfeeding and let Black moms know they’re not alone.”
• Doulas – Whether they are serving incarcerated mothers and birthing people or making visits to homes throughout the County, AAIMM Doulas provided critical support in 2025, helping to combat the disproportionately high rates of Black/African American infant and maternal deaths countywide. We shared Doula profiles on our website and promoted doula services for which all LA County Black and pregnant people may be eligible at no cost. 
• Taste of Soul – As Taste of Soul celebrated its 20th anniversary, the AAIMM Village showed up on Crenshaw Boulevard with our Safe Space tent, complete with a breastfeeding and diaper-changing station for families. Over the past few years, being a part of Taste of Soul has allowed AAIMM to share smiles, conversations and community connections with hundreds of families, sharing our message about protecting Black families and ensuring safe and joyous Black births.
• Prematurity Awareness Month – Last month, throughout November, AAIMM marked Prematurity Awareness Month to highlight the risks and challenges of preterm birth. Through our website, social media channels and an Instagram Live on “Preventing Preterm Births”, we helped raise awareness about the impact of prematurity on infants and families, while showcasing all the resources we provide, including our Prematurity Awareness Guide.
• Fatherhood Programs – AAIMM continued to expand programs for Black fathers, including a new fatherhood program in the Antelope Valley. One exciting event was the premiere of the documentary BIG BRYCE SON by Bruce Savoy, a 2024 participant in AAIMM’s Expecting Fathers Group. The documentary examines legacy, fatherhood, grief and growth through the life of Oakland-raised artist and storyteller Bryce, as he navigates the passing of his late father while stepping into fatherhood himself. The screening was moderated by AAIMM Fatherhood Coordinator Davion Mauldin. Throughout 2025, AAIMM’s Black Daddy Dialogues were offered weekly on Zoom and virtual, six-week Expecting Fathers Groups helped men get ready for fatherhood.
• So Much More – The programs listed above are just some of the efforts undertaken by AAIMM in 2025. Please visit our website and follow our social media channels to learn more about our efforts throughout the year. For starters, take a look at the upcoming events and ongoing programs highlighted below.  

Highlights from our Community Action Teams (CATs) from 2025

• In February, during Black History Month, the Antelope Valley AAIMM CAT hosted a free community event at the Lancaster Community Center focused on supporting Black mothers and babies.
• On April 12, the South Los Angeles / South Bay (SLASB) CAT hosted the 4th Annual Community Baby Shower & Resource Fair in honor of Black Maternal Health Week.
• Throughout Black Maternal Health Week April 11-17, the Santa Clarita / San Fernando Valley (SCSFV) CAT hosted a Brunch Celebration as well as a Workout and a Doula-Led Hike for Black mothers.
• On June 2nd, AAIMM hosted an Instagram Live called “The Expectant Fathers Playbook : Real Talk For Dad” moderated by Fatherhood Coordinator Davion Mauldin and joined by graduates of the AAIMM Fatherhood Program.
• On August 16, the SCSFV CAT hosted a Fatherhood Celebration where Black Fathers and Fathers of Black children could connect, share and celebrate.
• On August 30, the SCSFV CAT hosted a Breastfeeding Week Brunch & Baby Shower for Black women who are pregnant and breastfeeding. 
• On August 30 the SLASB CAT hosted SACRED FLOW: A Black Breast/Chestfeeding Brunch featuring lactation support specialists. Attendees enjoyed food, raffles and giveaways.

Workgroup meetings, CAT-hosted events, holiday parties

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:

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-February 2026.

Get Involved

Thank you for your interest in our critical work on behalf of Black families in Los Angeles County. We welcome your continued support and engagement. Please visit our Get Involved page if you would like to collaborate or learn more about our work.