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Black Mamas Matter Alliance

Advancing Black Maternal Health

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We Believe Black Mamas Matter

We value Black women’s lives, knowledge, and leadership. We trust Black women and prioritize Black women’s voices. We recognize, celebrate, and support Black mamas – those who care for and mother our families and communities – whether they are trans, cis, or gender non-conforming. We stand in solidarity with all Black mamas.

We Fight for Racial Justice

We center the people and communities that are most affected by poor maternal health outcomes. We acknowledge the role of race and racism in maternal health outcomes, care, and policy. We work for racial equity and the empowerment of Black people within and beyond the health system.

We Demand Reproductive Justice

We align with the reproductive justice movement, which centers women of color in the struggle to recognize the human rights of every woman to: decide whether, when, and under which conditions she will reproduce; have a baby or end a pregnancy; and parent the children she has with the necessary social supports in safe environments and healthy communities, without fear of discrimination or violence.

We Recognize Intersectional Oppression

We recognize that people live at the intersections of race, gender, and class and experience multiple forms of discrimination as a result of their individual context. We believe that racialized, gendered, environmental, and economic experiences influence maternal health outcomes, and that to improve maternal health we have to address all axes of oppression.

We Demand Government Accountability and Policy Change

We hold our government accountable at every level — global, federal, state, and local — as we pursue policy change to improve Black maternal health, rights, and justice. We believe that Black people must be active participants in the policy decisions that impact their lives.

We Foster Collaboration

We encourage cross-sectoral collaboration to address racial disparities in maternal health and to implement a vision of maternal health that respects, protects, and fulfills Black women’s human rights. We recognize that the challenges we face are multiple and complex, and we strive to be inclusive of diverse stakeholders and viewpoints. We recognize the value of sharing information across disciplines and geographies, and of working together toward shared goals of health, equity, dignity, and bodily autonomy in maternal health.

We Respect Community Knowledge and Leadership

We support community mobilization, community-building, and community-driven solutions. Too often, Black women are not recognized for the work they are doing to improve the health and well-being of our communities. We celebrate Black women’s ingenuity and resourcefulness. We acknowledge Black women’s traditional, cultural, and historical contributions to maternal health and birthing practices. We also recognize and respect differences between contexts and within communities, as well as the need for locally-tailored strategies.

We Lead with Love & Generosity

We love Black mamas and approach this work with generosity towards all who are working for Black maternal health, rights, and justice. There is much to do: we need many voices and perspectives at the table.

Recent Tweets

RT @IVAPhD Totally tearing up as I type. @CALIFORNIABF presented me with the 2021 Golden Wave Award. The Golden Wave Award is presented to individuals for their meaningful contributions to create waves of change to remove barriers to #breastfeeding in California! Such an honor. #Humbled pic.twitter.com/FuNR31RCU0

About an hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @IpasOrg TOMORROW! Join Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC), @SisterSong_WOC's @monicarsimpson, & Ipas's @AnuKumarIpas for a conversation about the #HelmsAmendment, and why revoking the #GlobalGagRule is just the tip of the iceberg. @RepAdams fb.me/e/4aoEGd135 pic.twitter.com/mAxxhRhuel

About an hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @MEtiebetMD I can’t wait! twitter.com/dc_amchp/statu…

About an hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @AllOptionsNatl Black and Indigenous pregnant people are facing a devastating health crisis. We're grateful to groups like @BlkMamasMatter who are fighting for compassionate, equitable care. #BlackMamasMatter — vice.com/en/article/n7v…

About an hour ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @MHTF On January 27, Merck for Mothers will announce the next round of grants awarded through their Safer Childbirth Cities initiative, which aims to address maternal health disparities in the United States. Click here to register for the webinar: bit.ly/3iy7sQK pic.twitter.com/LOeaRJMLjF

About a day ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @blkwomenshealth We carry so much with us in our everyday lives that it can be a bit overwhelming at times. It is so important to take a day for yourself to avoid burnout and breakdowns. In honor of #SelfCareSunday unpack the load, and rest and reset. Drop your self-care tips below! pic.twitter.com/sJ00rrPwnc

About 2 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @MHTF Housing instability harms maternal and neonatal health as much as smoking during pregnancy. Unstably-housed women are at higher risk of low birth weight, preterm birth, maternal hypertension, hemorrhage during birth, extended hospitalization, and more. bit.ly/3stQurn

About 3 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

RT @Jhpiego Snap to it! Show your prowess as a photographer by focusing on midwives at work, in the community, at home. Enter the #MidwivesInFocus photo contest today! PRIZES and RULES: jhpiego.org/midwives-in-fo…

About 3 days ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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