Every April, Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) serves as a national call to action—a time to amplify the voices of Black mothers, birth workers, and communities who are leading the fight to end maternal mortality and improve birth outcomes. For St. Louis, a city shaped by both struggle and strength, this week is more than a moment—it’s part of a movement grounded in history, healing, and hope.
The Origin of Black Maternal Health Week
Black Maternal Health Week was founded in 2018 by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA). This week—held annually from April 11–17—was created to:
- Center the voices of Black mothers and birthing people,
- Raise awareness of the systemic inequities that lead to devastating outcomes, and
- Mobilize collective action to advance reproductive justice and health equity.
What started as a grassroots effort quickly grew into a national observance, recognized by community organizations, hospitals, lawmakers, and everyday people advocating for change.
Why It Matters in St. Louis
St. Louis is no stranger to the long-standing health disparities that disproportionately affect Black families. Black women in Missouri are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to data from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Many of these deaths are preventable and rooted in:
Structural racism in healthcare, Historical trauma, Lack of access to culturally competent care, and Economic and social barriers that affect the broader determinants of health.
These aren’t just statistics—they represent mothers, daughters, aunties, and community leaders whose lives are irreplaceable.
A Region Rooted in Resistance and Resilience
St. Louis has been a site of historical injustice, from redlining and hospital closures to the more recent uprising in Ferguson. Yet, it is also a city filled with fierce advocates—doulas, midwives, OB-GYNs, community organizers, and faith
leaders—who are working together to rewrite this narrative. Local groups such as our 2BHeard Initiative, The Doula Lab, Virtuous Doula Training
Academy, lactation services like Sweetest Nectar LLC, and the MO Momnibus Coalition are building bridges between healthcare systems and community members. These efforts are grounded in trust, cultural awareness, and a deep commitment to Black wellness and joy.
Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week in St. Louis
Throughout the week, St. Louis organizations host a variety of activities:
- Community conversations with birth workers and families,
- Health fairs and wellness check-ins,
- Storytelling campaigns that center lived experiences,
- Trainings for providers to better recognize urgent maternal warning signs, and
- Faith-based gatherings that hold space for reflection, grief, and hope.
Each event creates space to not only raise awareness but to build the kind of care networks that help families thrive.
You Can Just Call Me Human
As we hold space for both celebration and grief during Black Maternal Health Week, I want to offer a personal reflection—a reminder of the humanity at the center of this movement:
While we live in an age of uncertainty filled with passionate energy that separates us from one another, it’s important to see the opportunities to unite and honor our interconnectedness. An outlook of unity helps us build trust by respecting and honoring the dignity of our humanity. That trust then encourages us to be well for ourselves first so that we can be whole enough for others. So, if you find yourself struggling with what to call someone choose the lens of love and just call them HUMAN. Black Maternal Health Week reminds us that improving outcomes for Black birthing people isn’t a niche issue—it’s a collective responsibility. Whether you’re a provider, policymaker, educator, or community member, there is a role for you to play.
In St. Louis, where histories of harm run deep, BMHW is a chance to plant seeds of healing. To listen. To believe Black women. And to act.
How You Can Get Involved
- Visit www.generatehealthstl.org/2BHeard
- Attend a local BMHW event.
- Share stories and resources using #BMHW25 and #2BHeard.
- Learn the urgent maternal warning signs.
- Support Black-led birth work organizations in your area.
Because in St. Louis and beyond, when we hear Black women, we help save not only Black women, but ALL WOMEN. Together, we can create a future where every pregnancy is honored, every voice is valued, and every mother makes it home.
