In this issue: Juneteenth Celebrations

Celebrating Juneteenth

Friday, June 19th, 2020 Black Infants and Families Newsletter

What is Juneteenth?

Excerpt from National Museum of African American History and Culture

On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States.

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free...view entire: https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/historical-legacy-juneteenth

Juneteenth Events

Our Community Action Teams across the county are hosting, participating in a number of events today and this weekend. You can view the list here: https://www.blackinfantsandfamilies.org/events

WELL DONE...To the Antelope Valley Community Action Team, who hosted a powerful virtual event, "Birth Stories in the AV: A Black Family Experience" on June 17th. African American AV moms and advocates shared their stories, resources, and calls for action in coming together as a village of support for healthy and joyous births for Black families in the Antelope Valley.

The March of Dimes COVID19 Webinar Series Continues each Thursday at 11am on their Facebook Live channel: https://www.facebook.com/marchofdimes/

A special shout-out goes to Mashariki Kdumu for being such a valued and contributing member of our Village, and for connecting us to the March of Dime's important work.

---

JOIN THE MOVEMENT...JOIN AN AAIMM COMMUNITY ACTION TEAM

Antelope Valley Community Action Team (SPA 1) - Katrina Sison

San Fernando/Santa Clarita Valleys (SPA 2) - Cesar Sanchez

San Gabriel Valley/Pasadena (SPA 3) - Annette Trejo and Jocelyn Estiandan

South LA/South Bay (SPA 6/8) - Adjoa Jones

The AAIMM CATs are still active during this time of social isolation and are working virtually to continue the great work they've begun.

Black Infants and Families Los Angeles is the landing place for the work of the Los Angles County African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Initiative. We are a coalition of the LA County Health Agency (Department of Mental Health, Department of Public Health, and Department of Health Services), First 5 LA, community organizations, mental and health care providers, funders, and community members. We are united in one purpose: to address the unacceptably high rates of Black infant and maternal deaths in Los Angeles County.