On behalf of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health (DPH), the Department of Health Services, First 5 LA, the Center for Strategic Partnerships, and the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment, we are excited to announce the launch of the African American Infant and Maternal Mortality (AAIMM) Prevention Initiative Village Fund (Village Fund). 
 
The Village Fund seeks to reinforce the broad goals of the AAIMM Prevention Initiative by funding community-led efforts that support the physical and mental well-being of Black women/birthing persons, fathers, partners, and families before, during, after birth. Organizations, networks, coalitions, individual service providers, micro-enterprises, or small businesses are eligible to apply. Priority consideration will be given to entities that are Black-led.

The Village Fund was developed by a team of Black women and allies representing the South LA/South Bay and Antelope Valley Community Action Teams, the AAIMM Countywide Steering Committee, First 5 LA, LA County Department of Public Health, and philanthropy. The Fund is managed by the LA Partnership for Early Childhood Investment and is capitalized by a combination of public and private philanthropic dollars.

VILLAGE FUND GRANTEES

Parenting for Liberation

AAIMM Village Fund grantee, Parenting for Liberation (P4L) is an organization that supports Black parents in their efforts to heal from historical and ongoing trauma while interrupting intergenerational violence. Its broad definition of “parent” enables it to have a larger scope of influence in building resilient and joyful Black families within the community it serves. Launched in 2016 as a virtual platform to connect, inspire, and uplift Black parents as they navigate and negotiate raising Black children within the social and political context of the United States, P4L has grown into an anti-violence movement for Black parents. To date, P4L  has reached more than 20,000 people through audio podcasts and engaged nearly 30,000 individuals through social media, a self-published storybook workbook, blog posts, and opinion pieces, and recently released its inaugural book written by founder and executive director, Trina Greene Brown: Parenting for Liberation: A Guide for Raising Black Children (Feminist Press, 2020).

Read the Full Article Here

Lydia O. Boyd

Lydia O. Boyd is a Lactation Specialist who provides breast/chestfeeding support and education to expectant and current breast/chestfeeding families in Los Angeles County. In addition to supporting new parents during the early post-pregnancy period, she also provides care for the transition back to work or school after maternity leave, when weaning, and in the event of a pregnancy loss. Although she serves all families  regardless of race, the focus of her work is with Black-identifying families belonging to the African diaspora.

Boyd’s 13 years of research and experience in counseling, coaching, and teaching other Black women throughout the breast/chestfeeding journey has made her especially qualified to speak to racial disparities within the birthing community and provides her with a unique perspective and position to support Black mothers, giving them a space where they feel centered and supported. “We are the mothers in the Black community,” Boyd stated, speaking of Black women. “We understand first-hand what we need.” Her work strives to provide a reconnection to the honor and pride of breast/chestfeeding that has been lost from years of oppression. 

Read the Full Article Here

M. E. N. T. O. R. S.

Men Taking Over Reforming Society (M.E.N.T.O.R.S., Inc.)

M.E.N.T.O.R.S., Inc. is on a mission to provide a space of refuge for the Black community in South Los Angeles. By facilitating support services for Black parents, M.E.N.T.O.R.S. creates social networks that are healthy, safe, and informative havens of growth. Peers and experts  work together to promote better outcomes for both parents and their babies.

Read the Full Article Here

For more information about the Village Fund and to access the application, please visit our website.