A Black History Month Message from the Director

As we celebrate the history and achievements of Black people during this month of commemoration, we are mindful of those who wish to erase our history and minimize our achievements. Recent headlines of maternal and infant losses, of attacks on immigrant communities and those who stand with them in solidarity, strengthen our resolve to achieve our mission to build, collectively, a future in which Black families thrive.  

The urgency of our mission is shaping how AAIMM is activating in 2026. We launched our Compassion Response Fund, which provides financial support to Black families impacted by pregnancy-related loss (read more below). We are resurfacing critical tips and education families can use to make plans for their care (also below). Across the AAIMM network, there are increasing supports and resources for birthworkers, including the Medi-Cal Doula Hub, which provides training, technical assistance and advocacy for new and experienced doulas to become Medi-Cal providers and serve the diversity of LA County’s families. 

I celebrate you, the people at the heart of our AAIMM Village for your historic contributions to Black maternal health. By centering our stories, our people, our leadership, we have built a movement for joyous, healthy Black births in Los Angeles County and beyond. At this critical moment, I ask you to reflect and share with us: What should the year ahead look like for AAIMM? What are your agencies focusing on in 2026? Where do our efforts align, and where can AAIMM provide additional support?

We will continue to honor Black life by protecting it, uplifting our families and our collective right to safe, joyous beginnings. Thank you to each of the community leaders and partners, birthing parents, doulas, lactation specialists, fatherhood program participants, birth workers, who stay the course and recognize the strength in our numbers. 

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

Recent Tragedies Remind Us:
Know Your Rights, Activate Your Village

The death of Dr. Janelle Green Smith, as well as the two stories about Black women in Chicago and Texas who were forced to labor in their cars after hospitals turned them away, remind us that dangerous disparities in maternal healthcare still exist for pregnant and birthing Black people. 

Our work is not done. To help ensure healthy and joyous birth outcomes, we encourage all families to have a birth plan centered on your lived experiences as Black people. You have the right to ask questions and get answers. We encourage you to activate your village of support to help advocate for you, your health and the health of your baby.

Click here for some things you should know from our AAIMM experts.

Here are links to other tips and resources:

AAIMM’s Activate Your Village: Tips for Every Trimester

Healthy and joyous births require an entire community of support. Our guide will help you create and engage your own Village.

National Association to Advance Black Birth: Black Birthing Bill of Rights

A resource for every Black person who engages in, or requires, maternity care.

Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood: Be Heard

Tips for being informed and involved, including questions to ask your providers.

Black Wellness & Prosperity Center: Birth Plan

Developed with Black mothers in Fresno, this plan includes a downloadable PDF.

California Department of Managed Health Care

Your Healthcare Rights

California Department of Civil Rights:

Your Rights as a Pregnant Employee

Job-Protected Leave for Employees in California

Pregnancy Disability Leave Fact Sheet

Rest in Power

Dr. Janell Green-Smith DNP, CNM, APRN

Read her obituary.

Photo: National Black Nurses Association, Inc.

AAIMM Compassion Response Funds
Now Available

We are honored to announce the AAIMM Compassion Response Fund, a one-time resource designed to provide timely, compassionate support to families experiencing perinatal or infant loss. The Fund offers a monetary award to each eligible family to help address immediate needs during a period of grief and transition.

If you are working with an individual or family who may benefit from this support, please share the application link: Apply here - AAIMM Compassion Response Fund Application

 Eligibility Requirements:

• The individual or family has experienced a perinatal loss (stillbirth, infant loss, or maternal loss).
• The loss involves an individual who identified as Black or African American.
• The loss occurred within Los Angeles County.
• The applicant is a Los Angeles County resident at the time of application.
• Funds will support needs directly related to the loss experience (e.g., memorial expenses, practical support, healing resources).
• The loss occurred within 12 months of the application. Exceptions for extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. 

Thank you for helping families access meaningful support during some of their most difficult moments. For questions or additional information, please email Nakeisha Robinson at: [email protected].

See New Images of our Dynamic AAIMM Doulas

Some of our amazing AAIMM Doulas and the Doula support team recently took part in a photo shoot for images that will grace our website, social media channels and other marketing materials. They are the heart and soul of what we do, working directly with Black women during pregnancy, childbirth and the newborn period. Thanks to all of them who shared their time, their beauty and their images to tell the whole world about the importance of childbirth companions and care. Read more about our AAIMM Doulas here: https://www.blackinfantsandfamilies.org/doulas

Black Maternal Health Week Coming in April

Stay tuned to our website, our Facebook page, and our Instagram for all the details about our activities and events during Black Maternal Health Week, coming April 11-17. The theme for 2026 is “Rooted in Justice and Joy.”

This campaign is led annually by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) to raise awareness, activism, and community around the Black maternal health crisis, highlighting disparities where Black mothers face significantly higher risks, focusing on solutions like Black-led care, advocacy, and policy change to improve health equity. The week emphasizes amplifying the voices, experiences, and needs of Black birthing people through events, education, and collective action. 

Meet the Village During World Doula Week

In honor of World Doula Week, AAIMM will host a Meet the Village event on March 21. Stay tuned to our instagram page @blackinfantsandfamiliesla for more info:

Upcoming Events

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-April  2026.

Take our Readership Survey

The AAIMM Village News needs your input! Please take our 2026 Readership Survey at the link below. We want to hear what news you need and what you like about our newsletter. Responding will take 5 minutes or less. Thank you in advance for your help. 

TAKE THE SURVEY

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.