“Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Systems of Care”
This the annual national Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) campaign, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance! Officially recognized by the White House in April 2021, this week is intended to bring attention to Black maternal health in the United States.
This year’s Black Maternal Health Week theme is:
The 2025 Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW25) theme, “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy,” emphasizes the power of Black-led perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health organizations to drive systemic change and foster community healing. The theme acknowledges the persistent legacies of systemic oppression(s), reproductive injustices, and health inequities that have disproportionately affected Black Mamas and people.
Some Startling Facts
Every year, nearly 700 women die in the U.S. as a result of pregnancy or its complications. (Source: CDC)
Black women over the age of 30 are 4 to 5 times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women. (Source: CDC)
Women of color are more likely to experience postpartum mental illness but are less likely to receive treatment. (Source: Keefe, Brownstein-Evans, & Rouland Polmateer, 2016)
Many black women lack access to quality contraceptive care and counseling. (Source: Prather et al., 2018)
Women of color are more likely to experience mistreatment or disrespect in maternity care than white women. (Source: Vedam et al., 2019).
How to Get Involved
Black Maternal Health Week shines a light on these issues in an effort to further the conversation. We encourage you to take part in these events:
Monday, April 14th | 1 P.M. EST
Healing Legacies: Using Data to Improve Black Maternal Health Outcomes REGISTER
Tuesday, April 15th | 6:30 – 8:30 P.M. EST
Black Maternal Health Professionals’ Networking Event REGISTER
Wednesday, April 16th | 3:30 P.M. EST
Mama’s Milk: Nourishing Families through Community Milk Sharing YouTube Live
Thursday, April 17th | 12 P.M. EST
Thriving in Black Maternal Health through Policy and Advocacy REGISTER
DONATE here
Have you shared stories or checked in on your Black pregnant or postpartum mom pals? We all truly need one another!
