It’s Black Maternal Health Week 2025- But What Does That Really Mean?
- LaToya Brathwaite-Washington
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
This week marks the annual observance of Black Maternal Health Week—a time dedicated to reflection, action, and advocacy surrounding one of the most critical public health crises of our time. However, if you’ve ever wondered what this week is really about, or why it matters, I invite you to read on.
Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018 to uplift the stories, voices, and leadership of Black mothers and birthing people. Held each year from April 11th to the 17th, it’s a time set aside to amplify the voices and experiences of Black mothers and birthing people, spotlighting 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 not only to acknowledge the ongoing disparities that Black mothers face but also to honor their strength, resilience, and powerful legacies. It is also a reminder that the answers lie in working together. We must foster collaboration and leverage our diverse strengths to overcome challenges and achieve our shared goal of improving maternal health outcomes for ALL mothers.
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 it was. 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 - names of mothers whose lives ended too soon, due to complications and systemic failures.
We were honored to host inspiring speakers, including April Thomas-Jones from Planned Parenthood, Senator Nicole Poore, and Domenica Personti from Impact Life, who all shared impactful messages of advocacy, hope, and the necessity of continued action.
This walk was not just about mourning. It’s about restoration. It’s about justice. It’s about community. And most of all, it’s about action. The rain that fell during our event served as a symbolic reminder—no matter the storms, we must be unwavering and resilient in our advocacy and support 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 maternal mortality rates declined for nearly every group, but for Black women, these numbers continue to rise. This alarming trend is not just statistical; behind every number is a mother, a family, a future forever altered.
This work is also deeply personal for me. I nearly lost my life twice, due to complications from severe preeclampsia with HELLP syndrome. I’ve also walked alongside grieving families, like the mother who joined our walk in honor of her own mother, who died giving birth to her. She was raised by her grandmother and carries her mother’s memory with her every day. Most importantly, I work 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 do acknowledge that we are living in unprecedented and frankly, quite scary times. Many feel discouraged and fearful at the rapidity of the changes and what it means for our future. So much uncertainty is destabilizing. And the challenges facing us are indeed real.
We will need to be more innovative, more creative, and more resourceful - but 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 a storm or sunny weather, metaphorically or literally, 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 - because every hoodie and every tee helps us raise awareness and fund services for moms who need us.
Remember, 100% of proceeds from donations and merch go directly into the essential work we do 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'll be there.
Say her name. Share her story. Stand with us.
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