Black Maternal Health Week 2025

Black Maternal Health Week: Listening, Learning, and Taking Action

This week, conversations around Black Maternal Health are taking center stage across the United States. From grassroots organizers to national institutions, the goal is the same: to amplify awareness, demand accountability, and push for lasting, systemic change. And frankly, it’s overdue.

If you're not familiar with the phrase “raise the roof,” it's about making noise—BIG noise. It’s about refusing to stay quiet when lives are at stake. It means calling out injustice and pushing for something better. That’s exactly what this week is about.

It’s been more than five years since Black Maternal Health Week was first officially recognized, and the feelings it stirs are complicated. There’s gratitude for the attention and anger that such attention is still so necessary.

Back in February 2018, I attended New York State’s first symposium on maternal mortality. What I heard there stunned me: disorganization, a lack of consistent data tracking, and widespread inaction. I remember feeling a mix of outrage and cautious hope. The New York Academy of Medicine was forming a coalition, naming the historical and ongoing systemic issues contributing to maternal mortality—and that, at least, felt like a place to begin.

Let’s look at the numbers. Each year in the United States, about 700 women and birthing people die due to pregnancy or related complications. And Black non-Hispanic women? They’re dying at more than three times the rate of white women. That rate used to be six times higher in New York State, which means some progress has been made—but 3.4:1 is still completely unacceptable.

While I don’t work directly in birth work, many of the families I support are preparing for birth or recovering after it. Babywearing consultants are often part of that journey. When I work with families, I talk about doulas, about advocacy, and about how babywearing can support bonding, peace, and healing during postpartum. A securely held baby can create just enough space for the birthing parent to focus on healing—physically, emotionally, and mentally.

But the truth is, it’s not enough.

I teach about bias—especially implicit bias—within babywearing education. I’ve had conversations with hospital administrators about how they address racism and bias in their institutions. The hard truth? There’s no clear roadmap for creating lasting change in healthcare settings. Confronting bias requires a level of personal reflection and ongoing effort that most systems aren't set up to support. It’s not a checklist. It’s a lifelong commitment.

And if you’re wondering whether this is really such a big deal, here’s one more gut punch: Among all industrialized nations, the U.S. ranks worst for maternal health outcomes. That’s for everyone. If you’re Black, the risk is three times worse.

So yes, I’m hopeful about the steps being taken. But I’m still outraged. Because Black families are part of every community—and they deserve to be safe, supported, and respected before, during, and after birth.

Here are a few ways to take action during Black Maternal Health Week (and beyond):

• If you’re in the U.S., contact your local representatives. Ask them what they’re doing to address maternal health disparities.
• Talk to hospitals about their maternal mortality rates. Let them know this matters to the communities you serve.
• Find local organizations offering low-cost or sliding scale services for families—especially those that support Black families—and share their work.
• Donate if you’re able.
• Reflect on your own biases and how they might show up in your work or daily life.
• And if you’re a fellow babywearing educator, let’s keep this conversation going. What else can we do to support birthing people in real, meaningful ways?

This is hard work. But I know that many of us are here because we care deeply. At the heart of it all, families just want to feel loved, held, and supported through pregnancy and postpartum—just like anyone else. However you’re able to help, I hope you will.

Resources

Link to this years TOOL KIT 

🖤 blackmamasmatter.org
📊 CDC: Maternal Mortality