A Love Letter to the Black Community

Dear Beloved Community,

As Black History Month closes, I want to take a moment to honor you, the heart and soul of our collective efforts and brilliance. This month, and every day, we stand in awe of the strength, wisdom, and determination that runs through our veins. Our rich history of Black culture, of scholars, of leaders, of change-makers, is not just a foundation—it is the very fuel that propels us forward.

This year, as we face ongoing challenges, particularly in the realm of Black maternal health, we are reminded of the powerful legacy that has paved the way for us.

From the countless ancestors who fought for our freedom, like Bridget “Biddy” Mason, midwife, real estate entrepreneur, philanthropist, and founder of the First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles, to the tireless leaders who continue to advocate for justice,we are the living embodiment of their dreams and sacrifices. We carry their spirit and vision forward, ensuring that the next generation of Black mothers/birthing persons and their families are supported, protected, and uplifted.

While the world around us may sometimes feel heavy, and our communities continue to endure political obstacles, I want to remind you of the importance of rest, rejuvenation, and mental well-being. Your tireless work in your families, your communities, and your professions does not go unnoticed. But it is also essential to honor your need for care. Prioritize yourself, take time to recharge, and remember that you are not alone. 

This month, take time. Whether that’s time to reflect, moments to rest, or focus on taking action. Take time. Take that time, those moments, close your eyes and take a breath for all of it.  Our lineage spans centuries, and the work we are doing today is creating a legacy that will be honored by those who come after us.

We, at AAIMM, are here for you—not just to offer support and resources, but to stand with you. We are here to listen, learn, and understand how to best support you as our community members and partners in improving our holistic health together. At AAIMM, we remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting Black families and birthing persons. Whether you are a new mother, an expectant father, a community member, or a dedicated advocate, we are here to provide the resources, the knowledge, and the community you need.

As we celebrate our culture and history this month, we also honor the present and future we are building together. If you tuned into the Super Bowl, perhaps you enjoyed the halftime show, where Compton, California native Kendrick Lamar, with the help of actor Samuel L. Jackson, shared powerful messages about the injustices Black people continue to face. You might have also celebrated Jalen Hurts’ first Super Bowl win as the quarterback with the Philadelphia Eagles, learned that Autumn Lockwood became the first Black woman coach to win a Super Bowl, or stood with pride watching the Nike ad celebrating powerful athletic women and people, with a strong message for all of us—'You Can’t Win, SO WIN.' Each of these moments served as a reminder to me that we are not just descendants of leaders; we are the leaders of today and tomorrow. Within each of us lies the power of those who stood for justice, the wisdom of those who made history, and the courage of those who stand tall in the face of adversity. 

Thank you for your continued determination, joy, and for the light you bring into the world. You are the heart of our movement, and together, we will continue to build a future that honors and uplifts every Black mother/birthing person and our community.

With gratitude, love, respect, and solidarity,

Adjoa Jones
Birth Equity Unit Chief/Director, African American Infant/Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) 

Maternal Child, Adolescent and Health Division
Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

During Black History Month, Abundant Birth Project took part in the City of Inglewood’s Black History Celebration Family Festival, a day of culture, music, food and community honoring Black history and excellence.  AAIMM also took part in the Pan African Film & Arts Festival to present a special screening of The Ebony Canal, a documentary short about Black infant mortality narrated by Viola Davis. Additionally, the AV AAIMM CAT hosted a free community event at the Lancaster Community Center focused on supporting Black mothers and babies.

In response to the recent devastating wildfires in Los Angeles County, AAIMM released an online resource guide to help our Village come together to provide support and make space for those in need.  Find resources here. 

Additionally, Sugar Heal is organizing free health services for pregnant and postpartum moms impacted by the recent wildfires. Visit sugarheal.com for information and to sign up.

Want to Provide Backbone Support to AAIMM?

AAIMM has issued a Request for Proposal for Backbone Support for the South LA/South Bay Community Action Team. Submissions are due March 3. The selected organization will provide administrative, operational, and logistical support working with the SLASB AAIMM CAT Leadership, Planning Team and all CAT members to collectively advance goals and objectives.

Interested organizations should review the RFP here.

Happy Holidays from AAIMM

From our village to yours, we send you wishes for a happy and healthy holiday season and a joyous New Year.  In this issue of our AAIMM Village News, we proudly share some of our most memorable accomplishments and highlights from 2024. Thanks to your support and participation, we had a stellar year of community building and advocacy in our collective journey toward equitable pregnancy/birthing outcomes for many Black women, birthing persons, their infants and families.

We would like to recognize our doula program and our Community Action Teams (CATs) for their outstanding events throughout the year. Our CATs are the heartbeat of our initiative, and with their leadership and networking in communities across Los Angeles County, AAIMM is able to bring joy and justice to Black families. 

As we move into the holiday season, celebrating traditions of giving, unity, and reflection, and looking forward to Kwanzaa and the New Year, we are grateful for our entire AAIMM Village, including fathers/partners, midwives, clinicians, partnering organizations, and all who are dedicated to Black families and empowering safe, joyous births. Thank you again for your support and enjoy just some of our 2024 highlights below.

Finally, we honor and celebrate the enduring legacy of the late Nikki Giovanni, poet, activist, and visionary, whose profound words and fearless advocacy for justice have left an indelible mark on generations. Nikki's work has inspired countless individuals to stand firm in their truth, to fight for equality, and to embrace the beauty of our collective Black experience. Her passing on December 9th reminds us all of the power of the written word and the ongoing need for activism in shaping a better world. Rest in Power, Nikki Giovanni.

"If we don't like the world we're living in, change it. And if we can't change it, we change ourselves. We can do something." - Nikki Giovanni 

With gratitude,

Adjoa Jones, MBA, CLES, Doula
AAIMM Director
Birth Equity Unit Chief
Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division
Health Promotion Bureau • Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

Join the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM) to celebrate and support expectant Black moms / birthing persons and their families at the 2024 Taste of Soul LA event on October 19 on historic Crenshaw Boulevard between Barack Obama Blvd. and Stocker Ave., in South LA. The event kicks off at 10 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m.

Please visit our AAIMM Village in the KJLH area. Learn about our free doula services, Black dad groups, and how you can get involved in local efforts to ensure Black parents have access to healthy and joyous births through one of our AAIMM Community Action Teams. You will also find pregnancy tips, and resources for Black families, including information about our Safe Space directory, which lists local businesses that offer safe spaces for breast/chestfeeding. 

As in previous years, our booth will include a breast/chestfeeding safe space—a cozy oasis designed with you in mind. Enjoy the comfort of rocking chairs, and a peaceful, private area to feed or change your little one. Whether you’re here for a quick break or a longer stay, we’ve created the perfect spot to relax and recharge.

Giveaways will be provided while supplies last. 

Photos from 2023 Taste of Soul LA 

Reclaiming our narrative and centering our stories for breastfeeding justice.

It is Black Breast/Chestfeeding Week in Los Angeles County and nationwide, and we are honoring the voices and journeys of cherished Black birthing families. The founders of Black Breastfeeding Week have named the theme for this week: “Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice  ”.

In this Issue: Celebrating Fatherhood!

June is an exciting month for the AAIMM village! All month long, we're amplifying our Fatherhood program on our website, social media platforms, and through grassroots and media efforts. We're also looking forward to community events celebrating fathers and freedom.

Keep reading to learn more!

In this issue: 

We have some exciting news! AAIMM is a proud sponsor of this year's KJLH Women's Health Expo. Get more details about the Expo, our booth, and giveaways. You'll also see some highlights from BMHW, so keep reading for more! 

As always, thank YOU for being an outstanding member of our AAIMM village.
We're stronger together

In this month's newsletter, we celebrate the seventh annual Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW)
and share upcoming events and opportunities. Keep reading for more! 

Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) is here! AAIMM is excited to join our community partners in proudly celebrating this year's theme: 
"Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!" for the seventh annual BMHW celebration from April 11-17.

Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), BMHW is a week of awareness, activism, and community building. 
The week kicks off on April 11, which is globally recognized as International Day for Maternal Health and Rights – an opportunity to join the worldwide community advocating for the elimination of maternal mortality. 

This year’s AAIMM activities for Black Maternal Health Week are very diverse—ranging from birthing tours, documentary screenings, educational sessions with doulas, and much more. They all amplify the voices of Black mamas and birthing persons and center the values and history of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

Please visit our BMHW 2024 page for updated event listings and other information, and feel free to share the link with your village. Help us make BMHW one of the most talked about activities in L.A. County. Follow @blackinfantsandfamiliesla on Instagram for updates and use #BMHW24 and #BlackMaternalHealthWeek to help spread awareness.

Happy Black History Month from the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative (AAIMM)!

Black History Month allows us to reflect on our collective history and recognize achievements and contributions made by our ancestors. This month is also an opportunity to celebrate the outstanding work that continues today and will be built upon in the future. Our AAIMM programs are extensions of long-held traditions that we celebrate as part of Black history, as shared experiences within the African diaspora.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BLACK BIRTH WORKERS

Doulas (also known as birth workers) have long been recognized as experienced and compassionate birthing companions by the families they serve, but were dismissed by the western medical system. Only in the past couple of decades have doulas been recognized anew as professionals, rooted in community. In their role, doulas provide emotional support, guidance, and comfort to families throughout the pregnancy experience, regardless of outcomes. Along with assisting during the birthing process, doulas contribute to parents’ holistic well-being by imparting valuable and culturally competent knowledge on prenatal care, nutrition, interventions, and coping strategies. Doulas provide a safe space during one of the most intimate and vulnerable moments in a birthing person’s life, where they can share their fears, hopes and joy. 

As advocates for informed decision making, doulas are an added support and protection for Black pregnant persons within the birthing care team for expectant families. The presence of birth workers fosters a sense of empowerment and strengthens the communal fabric, as the wisdom passed down between generations forms a vital part of cultural continuity. Through their commitment to enhancing maternal health and the sacred journey of childbirth, Black doulas exemplify the amalgamation of tradition, compassion, and resilience, enriching the tapestry of cultural practices surrounding childbirth. 

As we continue to champion equitable birthing outcomes in the United States, doulas remain at the forefront of efforts to eliminate racial disparities in maternal health and promote reproductive justice. Thanks to the advocacy of dedicated birth workers, including those within the AAIMM Doula Program, doula services were added as a covered Medi-Cal benefit in 2023 by the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS). 

Learn more about AAIMM’s Doula Program HERE. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF FATHERS

Fathers who are actively engaged during the pregnancy journey, offering steadfast emotional nourishment, support and protection, foster positive birth outcomes. Historically, the involvement of Black fathers transcended the birthing moment, encompassing the entire gestational period, during which fathers participated in rituals, ceremonies, and discussions focused on the well-being of the mother and the unborn child. This comprehensive approach to fatherhood cultivated a sense of unity and communal responsibility. 

In the U.S., Black fathers have maintained this responsibility, being anchors of support to their children and families often in the face of discrimination and widespread negative stereotypes. AAIMM recognizes, embraces, and celebrates Black fathers as catalysts for building strong communities and healthy families. AAIMM has created space through our Fatherhood Program for Black dads to build relationships in brotherhood while accessing the tools they need to prepare for their integral role in the family.  

Learn more about AAIMM’s Fatherhood Program HERE. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY

In many African societies, community is not merely a physical space but a dynamic and interconnected network where individuals collaborate, celebrate, and navigate life's challenges together. This communal ethos is deeply rooted in the principle of Ubuntu (meaning “humanity” in Bantu), emphasizing the interdependence of individuals within the community, epitomized by the saying, "I am because we are."

Black American culture embraced Ubuntu in the way that communities were built and thrived through collective resolve. One example was historic Black Wall Street in the early 20th century in Tulsa, Oklahoma. This section of North Tulsa—at the time an affluent oil town—comprised a prosperous Black community. Mrs. Viola "Mother" Fletcher, author of Don't Let Them Bury My Story: The Oldest Living Survivor of the Tulsa Race Massacre in Her Own Words, who recently visited Los Angeles, reflected on the community and the destruction it endured due to racism. 

Despite centuries of adversity, the beauty of our Black history is our ability to continually showcase our resilience, solidarity, and strength as a people when we present a unified front. The strength of our community shows through grassroots organizing, collective activism and advocacy, and the support networks we have built to champion equality.  

AAIMM’s Community Action Teams share this legacy throughout Los Angeles County, bathing our communities with the joy of knowing that we are not alone in this journey. We are in this together. 

Get involved with AAIMM’s Community Action Teams HERE. 

From our Village to yours, happy holidays and best wishes for an impactful 2024. As we close out this year, we're sharing some of our highlights from 2023 and upcoming events, and honoring one of our founders and champions. 

Thank you so much for your continued support as we continue our work to bring joy and justice to Black families in Los Angeles County. 

It feels like 2023 flew by! In our 5th year as an initiative, we're proud of so many accomplishments in our efforts to bring about equitable birthing outcomes for all Black women and birthing persons and their infants. This year, however, showed us some wonderful wins, dynamic community events, and campaigns.

Here are just a few of our favorite moments celebrated as an AAIMM Village in 2023:

• AAIMM becoming a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation 2023 Culture of Health prize recipient 
  
  
• Expanding our Safe Space breast/chestfeeding efforts to include an online directory and Safe Space tent at Taste of Soul
  
  
• Welcoming new doulas into our award-winning Doula program
  
  
• Recreating our AAIMM Village with our Community Action Teams, Fatherhood and Doula programs at both the KJLH Women's Health Expo and Taste of Soul—both of which were attended by hundreds of thousands of people
  
  
• CDU's Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence (BMHCE) awarded a 5-year, $9 Million HRSA Integrated Health Services Grant
  
  
• Welcoming seven new Village Fund grantees
  
  
• Proclamation made by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors designating October 2023 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month and Sunday, October 15, 2023 as Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Day of Remembrance

Thank you so much for your continued support of the African American Infant and Maternal (AAIMM) Mortality Prevention Initiative. Together, we're working to end the injustice of Black infant and maternal deaths in LA County and work towards joyous, healthy, and equitable birthing outcomes. In this newsletter, you'll find updates and news related to Prematurity Awareness Month, our recent Taste of Soul activation, upcoming events, and a very special announcement regarding AAIMM winning the 2023 Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Prize. 

AAIMM Honors Prematurity Awareness Month and World Prematurity Awareness Day

November is Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17 is World Prematurity Awareness Day. Join us as we share tips and resources to help reduce the risk of premature birth, and support new parents of premature babies.

On our website, we are highlighting some of our partners and Village Fund grantees who are working to help families who are experiencing a premature birth, as well as those who can be part of the plan to take preventative measures to ensure a healthy and joyous birthing experience. 

We've also included a link to the March of Dimes 2023 Report Card, which shares the collective factors that contribute to maternal and infant mortality and morbidity, and provides nationwide statistics. It also points to ways that we can collectively work to improve maternal and infant health in the U.S. 

Download our Prematurity Awareness Guide which contains tips to activate your village as an anchor of support, learn the signs of premature birth, and help prevent premature birth.  

You can also participate in the conversation on social media by following @blackinfantsandfamiliesla and share our content using #PrematurityAwarenessMonth, #WorldPrematurityAwarenessDay, and #AAIMM.