National Birth Equity Collaborative

Want to congratulate my sister Kat Keeney Jaeger and her team for winning a Salute to Excellence Award from National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) for her work highlighting the treatment that black mothers have to endure in childbirth. The US has the horrifying distinction as the only industrialized nation in the world where maternal mortality is rising. Infant and maternal mortality among Blacks and Latino’s are more than twice the national average (Forbes) Twice!!! Let’s please continue to get loud about this issue. So many are doing great work in this area National Birth Equity Collaborative Every Mother Counts @sista midwives Black Mamas Matter Alliance, Inc. (BMMA) Award for Digital Media – Single Story: News The Department of Health and Human Services Launches Civil Rights Investigation Into the Treatment of Black Women Giving Birth at a Los Angeles Hospital Anna-Maja Rappard, @Gary Crook, @Chris Audick, Stephanie Elem CNN Worldwide, Los Angeles

Keynote Announcement: Joia Crear-Perry, MD, will deliver the keynote address at the PBGH 2024 Maternal Health & Birth Equity Summit, September 18. Dr. Crear-Perry is a physician, policy expert, thought leader and advocate for transformational justice. As the founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative, she identifies and challenges racism as a root cause of health inequities. She is a highly sought-after trainer and speaker who has been featured in national and international publications including Essence and Ms. magazine. Join us to discuss strategies to address maternal morbidity and mortality, eliminate disparities and improve birth outcomes. Building upon quality standards and metrics outlined in PBGH’s Comprehensive Maternity Care Common Purchasing Agreement, this event will provide clear steps that all attendees can take (both individually and collectively) to positively impact the future state of U.S. maternal health and birth equity. https://bit.ly/4eusJHI

...???????? ?? ???????????????? ?????????????????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ??????????--???? ??????????????, ???? ??????????, ???? ??????????, ???? ????????.?? I am simply full fom yesterday's Fireside Chat on Reproductive Justice (RJ) and Care Activism ????. I had the honor and privilege of moderating this dialogue and we all left the room with much to ponder, plan for, and DO. Kiersten Gillette-Pierce, MSPH BS reminded us that being a student of the ancestors is the most sacred and sound ground one can stand on in doing this important work; ???????????? ????????????????, host and producer of the Black Feminist Rants Podcast, brought a very relevant and new perspective on how Gen Z is uplifting cause and advocacy through real and radical conversations about the RJ and Black Feminist movements; and Joia Crear-Perry, MD shed light on the layers and realities associated with Black birthing, mothering, leadership, advocacy, and the need to get clear about our frameworks for care and change--?????? lending hope to a equitable and just future. I invite you to stay connected with Keecha Harris and Associates, Inc. and our partners at Oxfam as we continue to fuel these critical efforts through KHA's Race, Healing, and Joy RJ initiative and Oxfam's New Era for Black Women initiative. ??We are deserving of love. ??We are deserving of joy. ??We are deserving of quality care. ??We are deserving of access. ??We are deserving of true wellness. ??We are deserving of the power to choose. ??We are deserving of the freedom to Be, Grieve, Heal, Thrive, and Grow. ?????? ???????????? ???? ??????????. #socialimpact #reproductivejustice #equitywork #collaborativeleadership #communitycare #wellness ??Special thanks to Dream House Lounge in NOLA for the beautiful space, breathing exercises, and sound bath.

?? New Orleans colleagues! (And those in town for Essence Festival!) ?? ? Join us this Friday, July 5th, for an intimate and impactful fireside chat that explores the future of Black communities through the lens of Reproductive Justice and building a future where care work is valued. Panelists include: ? LaKia Williams ? Kiersten Gillette-Pierce, MSPH BS ? Joia Crear-Perry, MD ? This event is in partnership with Oxfam America's A New Era for Black Women and the Race, Healing, and Joy initiative.? ? Let's envision pathways to a more just and equitable future, where every Black person has the freedom and support to make informed decisions about their bodies, families, and lives.? ? Sign up here: https://lnkd.in/gaG7aXBj ? Food and drinks will be provided. RSVP is required as space is limited! ? #ReproductiveJustice #NewOrleans #RacialEquity #EssenceFestival #CareEquity

A new bill in Congress, the Mamas First Act, could mean increased access to doulas and midwives covered by Medicaid. This is a critical step towards improving birth outcomes, especially for Black birthing people who face higher pregnancy-related mortality rates. I do have some concerns as I ponder if we'll have enough doulas and Midwives in place to meet the growing demand? Not only trained but resourced and supported to show up as a powerful workforce. We can help shine a light on funding and payment gaps. Many aspire to do the work and have the passion but lack the resources and it's unacceptable. There is certainly more work to be done. Read the full article from The19th News, featuring Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) Co-founder and Executive Director, Angela D. Aina: https://lnkd.in/eW4Ct4tW

I am looking forward to moderating this dynamic panel at the Maryland Hospital Association's annual meeting next month! Crisis- a stage in a sequence of events at which the trend of all future events, especially for better or for worse, is determined; turning point; a condition of instability or danger, leading to a decisive change. I really appreciate the last part of the definition because in order to improve outcomes for women and birthing people and eliminate inequities for people of color and other marginalized groups, we must CHANGE what we are doing. If you work in or for a Maryland hospital or healthcare organization (or the surrounding areas), I'd love for you to join us for what I'm sure will be a riveting discussion. To register: https://lnkd.in/ewRaA_yd Shawnee Benton-Gibson, LMSW, FDC Joia Crear-Perry, MD Monica Brown Jones

Please join the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions for two must-attend events in the upcoming weeks! On Friday, May 24, the Center is partnering with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), and NMAC to host a maternal and infant health policy forum featuring Dr. Yolanda Lawson, President of the National Medical Association; Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, MD, Founder of National Birth Equity Collaborative; Dr. Kanika Harris, PhD, MPH, Director of Black Maternal and Child Health at the Black Women’s Health Imperative; Dr. Jamila Perritt MD MPH FACOG, President and CEO at Physicians for Reproductive Health; Dr. Dora Hughes, Acting Chief Medical Officer at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; Lauren Parker, PhD, MPH, Senior Scientist Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Linda Wilson, Executive Director of the Fund II Foundation; and special award recipient Congresswoman Lauren A. Underwood, U.S. House of Representatives. To register for this event visit: https://lnkd.in/dG9Hq7W3 On Tuesday, June 4, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Disparities Solutions is partnering with the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions to host “America’s Urban Gun Crisis: Unpacking the Causes, Disparities, and Policies.” This event features gun violence expert Daniel Webster, the Bloomberg Professor of American Health at the Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions; Pamela A. Smith, Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia; Fatimah Loren Dreier Executive Director of The Health Alliance for Violence Intervention; and Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. Join us to discuss the intersection of gun violence and public health by registering here: https://lnkd.in/e43NpkcK Lunch will be provided. We hope to see you at both events! #blackmaternalhealthweek #gunviolence @johnshopkinssph @johnshopkinsu @nmachiv @cbcfinc @chcidc @jhu_cgvs

Thank you Essence Communications Inc. for highlighting Birth Equity during #BMHW24 #BlackMaternalHealthWeek!! Grateful to be in this fight with such amazing brilliant partners! ?????????????????????????? White Supremacy, Patriarchy and Religious Fundamentalism divide and conquer tactics are so 2023. ????????Let’s Geaux!!

One week from today! Join our friends National Birth Equity Collaborative for this webinar on bodily autonomy, Reproductive Justice , & how the reproductive health of Black Trans Mamas & Birthing Kin has always been part of maternal health. Info: https://ow.ly/WwWe50R9svA