BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CONFERENCE & TRAINING INSTITUTETM
September 17-18, 2022
Renaissance Washington, D.C. Downtown Hotel
Founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training InstituteTM (BMHC22) 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 conference will be hybrid (virtual and in-person) and 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. In 2019, Black women were most disproportionately affected with a mortality rate of 44.0 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 17.9 deaths per 100,000 live births, and 12.6 deaths per 100,000 live births for White and Hispanic women, respectively. However, statistics alone do not paint the full picture of the historical and lived experiences of those most impacted by maternal morbidity and mortality. This public health issue is preventable!
The BMHC22 theme, “Building for Liberation: Centering Black Mamas, Black Families and Black Systems of Care”, reflects BMMA’s work in centering Black women’s scholarship, maternity care work, and advocacy across the full spectrum of sexual, maternal, and reproductive health care, services, programs, and initiatives. Additionally, the 2022 theme reflects the critical need for learning about Black Feminist and womanist approaches to strengthening wellness structures within our communities and across the Diaspora as a revolutionary act in the pursuit of liberation, and in the global fight to END maternal mortality.
The 2022 Black Maternal Health Conference and Training InstituteTM meet 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 BMHC22 and we center Black Mamas’ voices and experiences in all activities. This conference is for us, by us!
BMHC22 will be segmented into five tracks:
- Holistic Care & Clinical Innovation
- Policy/Advocacy
- Research/Evaluation
- Culture Shift/Creative
- Special Topics
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 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 BMHC22 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. BMHC22 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 BMHC22 will:
- Deepen their understanding of contributing factors to Black Maternal Health outcomes
- Learn about and ideate community-driven programs, 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!
SCHEDULE
A detailed agenda will be provided in the future. Click here to download a tentative agenda.
Conference Day 1
Saturday, September 17, 2022
8:00 AM – 5:30 PM EST
Conference Day 2
Sunday, September 18, 2022
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM EST
BMHC22 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Black Maternal Health Conference and Training Institute?
The Black Maternal Health Conference and Training InstituteTM (BMHC), 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?
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 a hybrid model this year, meaning programming will be both in-person and virtual. For those who wish to join us in person we will be at the Renaissance Hotel in Downtown Washington, D.C. There will be limited space (400) for in-person attendees that will be on a first-come, first-serve basis. For those who wish to join remotely, you have the option to attend online. We are wherever you are!
What are the official dates of the conference?
The conference will take place September 17-18, 2022
Who do I contact for any questions?
For any questions about the conference registration, payments, transfers, etc., please email registration@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.
Accessibility
What accessibility options will be provided for BMHC22 attendees?
In order to make our conference as accessible and inclusive as possible for our attendees, the following will be provided:
Virtual: Live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the main session and keynote session; Closed captioning for pre-recorded sessions; Downloadable presentation slides for pre-recorded breakout sessions
In-Person: Live American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation for the main session and keynote session; On-site child care; private breast/chestfeeding and pumping spaces; ADA compliant conference facility
If additional support is needed, email conference@blackmamamatters.org.
HEALTH & SAFETY
What COVID-19 protocols are in place?
The health and safety of all attendees is BMMA’s priority. As such, BMMA will follow the guidelines of the Renaissance Hotel and the mandates of Washington, D.C. In addition, BMMA will base any additional on-site protocols on the latest CDC and local public health guidelines to ensure a safe environment. As such, all participants must either:
- Provide proof of vaccination (must be fully vaccinated), OR:
- Provide proof of a negative test within 24 hours (this is required daily); tests will be at the responsibility of the individual traveler.
- For those with religious/medical exemptions, proof of a negative test will be required daily.
AGENDA
Is there a full agenda available? A detailed agenda will be provided in the future. Click here to download a tentative agenda.
PRESS ACCESS
Who should members of the media contact to request press credentials to attend/cover the conference?
All journalists and media-makers interested in attending virtually or in person must contact comms@blackmamasmatter.org and a member of our team will be in touch on whether your coverage request has been approved.