Black Maternal Health Week is a week of awareness, activism, and community-building aimed at amplifying the voices of Black Mamas, bringing visibility to Black-led maternal health initiatives, and centering the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements.

Founded by Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc., BMHW is held annually in April during National Minority Health Month. The official theme for #BMHW24 is “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!”

The time is NOW to demand for comprehensive public and private insurance coverage for maternal, sexual, and reproductive health care; improving access to care across geographies and birth settings; issuing guidance to health care providers, institutions, insurance companies, and related entities on providing equitable, high-quality, patient-centered care; and funding research and programs that center and utilize scholarship of Black women and birthing people, as fully described in BMMA’s comprehensive Policy Agenda.

In 2021, the maternal mortality rate for non-Hispanic Black women was 69.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, 2.6 times the rate for non-Hispanic White women. And in the U.S., Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than White women. CDC notes that more than 80% of pregnancy related deaths are preventable.

While the challenges and stats are undeniable, there is still joy to be experienced. Black Mamas have always been the guide and bridge for families, communities, movements, and waves of change. This is why Black Women for Wellness, in partnership with the California Black Women’s Health Project and The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative, are celebrating the joys of Black motherhood all week long as we amplify the voices of Black Mamas. Our message is simple: Black Mothers, reclaim your joy!

Join us in uplifting #BMHW24, and check out the programming and events brought to you by Black Women for Wellness, the California Black Women’s Health Project and The African American Infant and Maternal Mortality Prevention Initiative, below.

We welcome you to RSVP and join us in this movement for racial and birth justice.