BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CONFERENCE & TRAINING INSTITUTETM
Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training InstituteTM (BMHC24) is the official, global assembly for Black Maternal health, equity, scholarship, innovation, policy, and advocacy work, projects, practice, and initiatives. BMHC24 centers Black people, clinicians, professionals, practitioners, and advocates; and welcomes ALL maternal, perinatal, and reproductive health equity stakeholders who are seeking to develop professionally, learn, and network.
The BMHC24 conference showcases work that operationalizes birth and reproductive justice, respectful maternity care, Black feminists and womanists’ wellness practices, and human rights frameworks across sexual, maternal, perinatal, and reproductive health services, programs, and initiatives. This year’s conference will be hybrid (virtual and in-person) and will offer a global space for learning, rich discussions, and mobilization to transform Black Maternal Health, rights, and justice.
SChedule
The BMHC24 theme is “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” This theme will be showcased through the content offered during the conference with topics focused on addressing systemic inequities in Black maternal health and amplifying the work, studies, policies, research, and initiatives happening in communities and across health systems that are working towards equitable change.
BMHC24 brings together experts, learners, practitioners, and advocates to explore a range of topics at the intersection of healthcare, equity, and community support. Participants of BMHC24 can look forward to receiving information on the latest advancements in: family planning, birth equity, reproductive health, managed care, maternal health systems initiatives, infant feeding programs, and a host of other cross-sector, collaborative projects, policy activities, and research endeavors.
BMMA has created a space with BMHC24, where we center the voices, scholarship, innovation, and experiences of Black people in all activities. This conference is open to ALL stakeholders with lived experience and to those that are working to, and/or seeking to advance maternal and reproductive health equity nationally and globally.
The goals of BMHC are to:
- Build capacity of Black leaders in maternal health to shape programs, policy, and care, and to engage in evidence-based advocacy;
- Disseminate best practices to address critical issues in Black maternal health from different sectors, including research, care, policy, and culture shift;
- Grow a community and network of stakeholders committed to improving Black Maternal Health;
- Cultivate a space of love, respect, and listening that centers the voices and experiences of Black Mamas, Black Birth workers, Black scholars, and Black women leaders; and to
- Equip health care professionals, public and health care systems, care providers, practitioners, learners, and ALL maternal and reproductive health equity stakeholders, funders, and decision-makers seeking knowledge and professional development to build their skills and capacity.
The conference and training institute is scheduled to take place on September 12 – 14, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia.