More Than a Stat: What Black Maternal Health Week Means to Me
Every year during Black Maternal Health Week, the same data resurfaces—the staggering reality that Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women.
But for me, these aren't just statistics—they’re real, lived experiences. As a postpartum doula and founder of LIVLoved Family Support, I don’t always see families in the hospital unless they specifically ask for my support there, but I do hear their stories when they’re ready to share. I witness the aftermath of disparities in care.
I listen to families recounting how their pain was dismissed, how interventions were done without consent, how providers showed little urgency when something felt wrong. I hear from partners who are afraid to speak up because they don’t want anything to happen to their loved one. And I watch the outcomes unfold differently for Black families compared to white families, even when the circumstances are similar.
This is real life. It’s personal. It’s why I do this work.
At LIVLoved, we empower families through education, advocacy, and support. We help them ask questions, we walk alongside them, and we hold space for their healing. But even with all that, I know we can’t do it alone. The system is broken. It was built on power, privilege, and bias. It doesn’t always work for Black families, and it certainly doesn’t value cultural humility.
These disparities don’t just impact the “single Black mom on Medicaid.” They impact Black women across all backgrounds—educated, employed, insured, and more. I’ve seen it firsthand, and it’s clear that bias and systemic neglect don’t discriminate based on education, class, or income.
What I’ve witnessed over and over again is this: Every family—no matter their race, class, or background—wants the same thing:
A safe birth.
A healthy baby.
A postpartum experience where they feel seen and supported.
This week, and every week, I’m reminded that the work isn’t just about sharing statistics—it’s about standing up for Black women and families. It’s about creating spaces where they feel heard, valued, and safe.
So, this Black Maternal Health Week, I encourage you to do more than just share a post. Support Black-led care. Invest in community. And when you’re ready to make real change, come join us in this fight.
We’re already here. We’re already doing the work.
