Honoring Black Maternal Health Week: A Call to Action
- LaToya Brathwaite-Washington
- Apr 17
- 4 min read
Updated: Jun 16
This week marks the annual observance of Black Maternal Health Week—a time dedicated to reflection, action, and advocacy in response to one of the most critical public health crises of our time. If you’ve ever wondered what this week is truly about or why it matters, I invite you to read on.
Understanding Black Maternal Health Week
Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018. Its purpose is to uplift the stories, voices, and leadership of Black mothers and birthing individuals. This annual observance runs from April 11th to April 17th. During this time, we amplify the experiences of Black mothers, highlighting deep-rooted inequities like medical racism, inadequate care, and preventable maternal deaths.
This year’s theme, “Healing Legacies: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Collective Action and Advocacy,” calls us to acknowledge the ongoing disparities that Black mothers face. It reminds us to honor their strength, resilience, and powerful legacies. In order to overcome challenges, we must work together. It is essential to foster collaboration and tap into our diverse strengths to achieve better maternal health outcomes for ALL mothers.
Our Mission at Mother Baby & Beyond
At Mother Baby & Beyond, this mission is personal. It lives at the heart of everything we do.
Say Her Name 5K & Family Fun Day: A Day of Reflection, Community, and Action
This past weekend, we kicked off Black Maternal Health Week 2025 with our 2nd annual ‘Say Her Name’ 5K and Family Fun Day at Glasgow Park in Newark, DE. What an incredibly meaningful day! Despite the chilly air and steady drizzle, our community showed up, wrapped in raincoats and determination.
We stood together—community members, birth workers, advocates, families—all moving with one purpose: to demand better. We gathered to remember the mothers we’ve lost and to celebrate those who are still here. We memorialized and spoke the names of mothers we've lost both locally and nationally. These were names of mothers whose lives ended too soon due to complications and systemic failures.
We were honored to host inspiring speakers, such as April Thomas-Jones from Planned Parenthood, Senator Nicole Poore, and Domenica Personti from Impact Life. They all shared impactful messages of advocacy, hope, and the urgent need for continued action.
This walk was not just about mourning; it’s about restoration, justice, community, and most of all, action. The rain that fell during our event served as a symbolic reminder. No matter the storms we face, we must remain unwavering and resilient in our advocacy for mothers and families.
Black Maternal Health Week 2025: Why We Still Must Do This Work
Right now, in America, Black women remain three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications compared to their white counterparts. The latest CDC data reveals that while maternal mortality rates have improved for nearly every group, the numbers for Black women continue to rise. This alarming trend is not just a statistic; behind every number is a mother, a family, and a future forever altered.
This work is deeply personal for me. I nearly lost my life twice due to complications from severe preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome. I’ve walked alongside grieving families, like the mother who joined our walk in honor of her own mother, who died while giving birth. She was raised by her grandmother and carries her mother’s memory with her every day. Most importantly, I fight for the reproductive justice, freedom, and safety that my children and future generations deserve.
This is why we walk. This is why we fight. This is why Black Maternal Health Week matters.
Every mother deserves to survive and thrive, every child deserves their mother, and every family deserves better.
What Will We Do in This Current Climate?
One of the main questions I've been asked recently is: "What will we do in this current climate?" With political shifts, rising maternal health disparities, and ongoing systemic challenges, it’s a fair question.
My answer is simple: We will continue to do the work.
I acknowledge we are living in unprecedented and challenging times. Many feel discouraged and fearful about the rapid changes and what they mean for our future. The uncertainty is destabilizing. The challenges we face are indeed real.
We will need to be more innovative, creative, and resourceful. As long as the need exists, we will continue to do the work. This message was clear on April 12th. Showing up in the rain was more than symbolic; it was a demonstration of our commitment. Whether it's stormy weather or sunny skies, we will show up. Mothers deserve nothing less.
Missed the Event? You Can Still Make a Difference!
If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry; it’s not too late to get involved.
Make a donation: Every contribution directly supports maternal healthcare, advocacy, and resources in our community.
Shop our exclusive 2025 'Say Her Name' merch: Wear your support with pride. Every hoodie and every tee helps raise awareness and fund services for moms in need.
Remember, 100% of proceeds from donations and merch go directly into our essential work to ensure better outcomes for mothers and families.
Black Maternal Health Week isn't just another week; it's a call to action, an ongoing commitment, and a promise that as long as mothers need support, we will be there.
Say her name. Share her story. Stand with us.
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