In Charlotte, a conference was held on Thursday to kick off National Black Maternal Health Week. The event aimed to raise awareness of the challenges faced by Black women during pregnancy and explore ways to improve their outcomes. Held at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church on Beatties Ford Road, the conference drew hundreds of attendees.
Organizations involved in organizing the event included Care Ring, whose CEO Tchernavia Montgomery emphasized that the issues Black women face during pregnancy extend beyond medical care. Addressing issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, and mental health was highlighted as crucial in improving maternal health outcomes for Black women and their babies.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications, despite the fact that the majority of these deaths are preventable. Yhenneko Taylor, Assistant Vice President for Analytics and Outcomes Research at Atrium Health, stressed the importance of involving Black women, families, and birthing individuals in discussions about solutions. Taylor emphasized the need to include those with lived experiences in shaping strategies to address disparities in Black maternal health.
Care Ring will host a solidarity walk at Marshall Park on April 20, starting at 11 a.m. The walk invites parents with strollers and community members to participate in raising awareness about improving Black maternal health. The event aims to engage the community in dialogue and action to address the systemic issues contributing to the disparities in maternal health outcomes for Black women. By bringing stakeholders together and amplifying the voices of those most affected, the hope is to drive meaningful change and support the health and well-being of Black mothers and their babies.
