Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), the Black Maternal Health Conference (BMHC) is the premiere assembly for Black women, clinicians, professionals, advocates, and other stakeholders working to improve maternal health using the birth justice, reproductive justice, and human rights frameworks. This year’s virtual conference will offer a national space for learning, rich discussions, and mobilization to transform Black maternal health, rights, and justice. We need a place to be in community together, to vision and dream, and to celebrate each other.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 700 women die each year in the United States as a result of pregnancy or delivery complications. Even more alarming are the racial and ethnic disparities that exist in pregnancy-related deaths. Black women are most disproportionately affected with a mortality rate of 37.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 14.7 deaths per 100,000 live births and 11.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for White and Hispanic women, respectively.
BMHC meets a national need for a forum dedicated to Black Maternal Health and Black people working to improve our outcomes. To date, discussions about Black Maternal Health have been carved into existing reproductive, maternal, and public health conferences where there is little space for meaningful dialogue and limited framing on health equity and reproductive justice. BMMA has created that space with the BMHC and we center Black Mamas voices and experiences in all activities. This conference is for us, by us!
The BMHC will be segmented into five tracks: Holistic Care & Clinical Innovation, Policy/Advocacy, Research, Culture Shift (Creative), and Special Topics
The BMHC will:
- Build capacity of Black leaders in maternal health to shape programs, policy, and care and 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; and
- 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 Birthworkers, Black scholars, and Black Women leaders
Who is the BMHC for?
BMHC is targeted to care providers, researchers, advocates, public health professionals, and Black Mamas who are working to advance maternal, birth, and reproductive justice, and those who are interested in learning more about how to work towards health equity using the reproductive justice and birth justice frameworks. We also welcome artists, media and cultural workers who want to elevate the voices and experiences of Black Mamas and the various issues connected to Black maternal health. It is open to anyone who is invested in the health and longevity of Black Mamas and Black innovators in health who serve our communities!
Those who participate in the BMHC will:
- Deepen their understanding of contributing factors to Black maternal health outcomes
- Learn about and ideate community-driven program, care, and policy solutions
- Gain skills to engage more effectively in evidence-based advocacy
- Comprehend the current evidence base and identify ongoing research needs
- Explore how culture is a necessary and powerful part of healing and resistance
Whether you’re working in public health or healthcare, or other sectors that impact health outcomes of Black women like law, policy and government, this conference is for you. If you’re an artist, advocate or content creator that wants to lift up the importance of Black maternal health, we’d love to have you. Register now and be a part of this important national movement to improve the health outcomes of Black Mamas!
Registration Options
$175 Early Bird Registration: February 22nd – March 12th
Participants registering for #BMHC21 during these dates will receive custom swag including a #BMHC21 Official Priority Swag Package. Please indicate your preferred t-shirt size during registration.
$200 Regular Registration: March 13th – March 27th
Attendees registering for #BMHC21 between these dates will receive a #BMHC21 Official Swag Package including a Notepad, Pen, Buttons & Stickers.
$250 Late Registration: March 28th – April 12th
Registration Add-On: Groove Thang $75
Join us as we jam out to celebrate Day 1 of the Black Maternal Health Virtual Conference with our exclusive Groove Thang Special. This registration add-on will give you access to a special guest DJ, a custom #BMHC21 coaster by BlackLikeINeverLeft, and custom #BMHC21 Simple Syrup Mixture for a libation of your choice from CocktailsByPop. Limited tickets available.
We are pleased to invite you to be a sponsor of the second national Black Maternal Health Conference (BMHC)! Learn more about available sponsor levels and accompanying benefits in our sponsor package.
Champion
• Recognition as a sponsor via BMMA social media platform
Movement Builder
• Provide one item (flyer, brochure, pen, etc.), to include in BMMA welcome bag that will be mailed to attendees prior to the conference*
• Your logo on all conference promotional material
Change Maker
• Your logo featured prominently as a banner on the main page of the conference app/desktop
• Your logo highlighted in two major newsletter and social media blasts to BMMA network after the conference
• 30 second commercial in between sessions
• Formal introduction by the Director of BMMA during opening and closing remarks
Interested? Send us an email at conference@blackmamasmatter.org to become a sponsor
Sponsor Levels:
- Change Maker $15,000
- Movement Builder $10,000
- Upholder $5,000
Please contact BMMA at conference@blackmamasmatter.org for any questions.
We would like to give a special thanks to all of our BMCH18 sponsors. Their generous contributions made the conference a success. With your help, we can build upon the success of BMHC18 to make BMHC21 even more impactful!
Register To Become A Sponsor (button)
Thanks to our 2018 BMHC Sponsors
Exhibit at the BMHC21!
Are you a company or organization that works in the maternal and child health space and provides services and products for mothers, children, women of color, etc.? We invite you to showcase your services, information and products at the BMHC21 by registering as a vendor or exhibitor. Learn more about exhibit space, levels, dates and times, and other details in our Sponsor and Vendor package.
Business
Black Owned Business
Non-Profit Organization
Interested? Email us at conference@blackmamasmatter.org to become a vendor
Each exhibit space includes:
- Full conference registration for one (1) organizational representative
- Recognition in the Exhibitor and Sponsor Directory which will be shared with all attendees
- Multiple networking opportunities during breaks and conference transition times
- Virtual Chat Room with attendees
- Direct to your website traffic from the conference platform
Exhibit Dates and Times
- Friday, April 16, 2021 from 2:00 – 3:00 PM EST
- Friday, April 16, 2021 from 4:00 – 4:30 PM EST
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 11:00 – 12:00 PM EST
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM EST
- Saturday, April 17, 2021 from 3:00 – 3:30 PM EST
*All inquiries for exhibitors are subject to internal review *
Register To Become An Exhibitor (button)
–>What is the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute?
The Black Maternal Health Conference (BMHC) and Training Institute, founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, is the premiere assembly for Black women, clinicians, professionals, advocates, and other stakeholders working to improve maternal health using the birth justice, reproductive justice, and human rights frameworks. It will offer a national space for learning, rich discussions, and mobilization to transform Black Maternal Health, Rights, and Justice. Click here for additional information.
What is the Black Mamas Matter Alliance?
BMMA is a national network of black women-led organizations and multi-disciplinary professionals who work to ensure that all Black Mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. BMMA honors the work and historical contributions of Black women’s leadership within their communities and values the need to amplify this work on a national scale. For this reason, BMMA does not have chapters. The alliance is composed of existing organizations and individuals (Midwives, OB/GYNs, Nurses, Doulas, Researchers, Public Health Professionals, Perinatal Support Workers, Attorneys, Lactation Consultants, and Artists) whose work is deeply rooted in reproductive justice, birth justice, and the human rights framework.. Visit our website for more information.
Where are the conference events and activities taking place?
The conference is fully online this year. We are wherever you are!
Will I be able to register for the BMHC 2021 Conference on site?
Registration closes on April 12th, 2021.
What is the cancellation and refund policy?
No refunds will be issued for cancellation – no exceptions.
Can I pay via check?
Yes, check payment will be accepted for registration. Please make the check out to Black Mamas Matter Alliance and mail to: 1237 Ralph David Abernathy Blvd · Atlanta, Georgia 30310. When you register, please select check payment at checkout. Your registration will be on hold until the check is received and cleared. Check payment must be received by March 31, 2021 or your registration hold will be released.
How do I obtain a W-9?
If your organization requires a w-9 for check payment, please email conference@blackmamasmatter.org.
Can I transfer my registration to another individual?
Yes. To do so, please send an email to conference@blackmamasmatter.org by March 31, 2021. Your email must include your name, registration confirmation number, and the name and email address of the individual who will be taking your place. Please note that BMMA will not issue refunds for any transfer of registration. In addition, BMMA will not be party to or facilitate any transfer of funds or reimbursement for transfer of conference registration. BMMA will solely be responsible for transferring the registration and providing confirmation of transfer.
Who do I contact for any questions?
For any questions about the conference registration, payments, transfers, etc., please email conference@blackmamasmatter.org. Please allow up to two business days for a response.
What can attendees expect?
Attendees can expect an exciting, innovative and much-needed discussion around Black maternal health. We are bringing together researchers, health professionals, advocates, mamas, and students with a passion for health equity and reproductive justice for Black mamas. Please see our schedule and pages for more information.