Key Themes:
- BMMA’s Mission & Frameworks
BMMA is a Black women-led network advocating for reproductive justice, birth justice, and human rights. Their work is grounded in four core frameworks: Birth Justice, Birth Equity, Reproductive Justice, and Human Rights.
- Cultural Approaches in Care
The webinar clarified distinctions between cultural sensitivity, competence, and congruence, emphasizing the importance of culturally congruent care in policy and practice.
- Black Perinatal Workforce Contributions
Black doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and other professionals provide holistic, culturally congruent care. Their work builds trust, bridges gaps in care, and improves maternal and infant health outcomes.
- Systemic Barriers
The workforce faces underfunding, low pay, certification hurdles, and burnout. Federal and state policies often exclude or undervalue their contributions, while community-based organizations are over-relied upon without adequate support.
- Systemic Medical Harm
Black birthing people frequently experience physical, psychological, spiritual, and cultural harm in healthcare settings. Examples include lack of informed consent, stereotyping, and criminalization through surveillance and reporting.
- Policy Recommendations & Advocacy
BMMA promotes policy changes to support the workforce, including Medicaid reimbursement, culturally affirming training, and dismantling punitive systems. Participants were encouraged to reflect on how they can apply these recommendations in their roles.
Resources:
Action Planning Activity
Black Mamas Matter Policy Agenda
Setting the Standard for Holistic Care of and for Black Women (Black Paper)
Advancing Birth Justice: Community-based Doula Models as a Standard of Care for Ending Racial Disparities
21-Point Black Midwives Care© Model
The Black Mamas Matter Alliance Literature Library
BMMA series webinar #1
BMMA series webinar #2
To learn more about implementing Medicaid coverage of doula services with fidelity, check out this webinar: https://earlysuccess.org/implementing-doula-coverage-webinar/
New York Times: In Trump’s Federal Work Force Cuts, Black Women Are Among the Hardest Hit
BMMA is a responsive support provider with the Alliance so can work with state advocates on advocacy and policy engagement. Learm more at: https://earlysuccess.org/our-allies/national-allies/black-mamas-matter-alliance/
KFF, How History Has Shaped Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities: A Timeline of Policies and Events
