BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK 2024

The Black Maternal Health Week  is an annual week-long public health campaign founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance​ to build awareness, activism, and community-building​ to amplify ​the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people. The week is intentionally held during National Minority Health Month and begins on April 11th annually to join dozens of global organizations in marking this day as International Day for Maternal Health and Rights – an opportunity to advocate for the elimination of maternal mortality globally. The activities and conversations hosted throughout the week intentionally center the values and traditions of the reproductive and birth justice movements. ​

This year’s official​ theme for Black Maternal Health Week 2024 (#BMHW24) is:​ Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice NOW!” ​The Black Mamas Matter Alliance encourages us that the time is NOW to demand for comprehensive public and private insurance coverage for maternal, sexual, and reproductive health care; improving access to care across geographies and birth settings; issuing guidance to health care providers, institutions, insurance companies, and related entities on providing equitable, high-quality, patient-centered care; and funding research and programs that center and utilize scholarship of Black women and birthing people, as fully described in BMMA’s comprehensive Policy Agenda.

To learn more about BMMA’s Official BMHW Events, CLICK HERE.

BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK IN DALLAS/FORT WORTH

You are invited to attend the following events that have been scheduled to commemorate Black Maternal Health Week 2024. While some events listed on this page are co-hosted by the Maternal & Reproductive Health Equity Research Lab, we are sharing events hosted by other organizations in our community.

Flyer for 2024 Black Maternal Health Week, listing events from April 11-17, hosted by UTA, HSC Healthy Start, and United Way.

THURSDAY – APRIL 11

Aftershock Movie Viewing hosted by Delighted to Doula

11:30AM
To RSVP, contact  admin@delightedtodoula.org

Creating a Circle of Care for Black Mothers
Flyer for 'Creating a Circle of Care for Black Mothers' event on April 11 at 12 PM CT, presented by Fannie Lou’s Classroom. Features host Rev. Danielle Ayers and guests Misty Wilder and Dr. Kyrah Brown.

12:00PM CST
Fannie Lou’s Classroom
YouTube Live: https://www.youtube.com/c/FannieLousClassroom/videos
For questions, please contact Sheneca Wilkerson at swilkerson@friendshipwest.org

Aftershock Viewing and Panel
Flyer for 'Aftershock' documentary screening on Black maternal health, presented by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and UTA MRHE Lab on April 11, 2024, at 6 PM in UC Lower Chambers.

5:45PM – 8:00PM
UT Dallas Callier Richardson Addition Building, 2895 Facilities Way
Richardson, TX 75080
For questions, please contact Nailah Johnson at njohnson@unitedwaydallas.org

Aftershock Viewing hosted by The Mighty  Lambda Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

6:00PM
University of Texas at Arlington
University Center, Lower Chambers, B170F
For accommodations, contact lambdachidst@gmail.com.

FRIDAY – APRIL 12

Black Maternal Health Week Mixer

5:30PM
Hotel Dryce, 3621 Byers Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76107
Please contact Maria Khan or Misty Wilder with questions: Maria.Khan@unthsc.edu.

SATURDAY – APRIL 13

What About Our Faith?: A Conversation on Black Maternal Health

9:00AM
2225 Barron Street, Fort Worth, TX 76103
Please contact Maria Khan or Misty Wilder with questions: Maria.Khan@unthsc.edu

High Risk: A Documentary Film Screening and Panel Discussion hosted by The Afiya Center
Flyer for 'High Risk' documentary screening and panel discussion on Black maternal health, hosted by The Afiya Center on April 13 from 12 PM to 2 PM at David’s Chapel MBC in Dallas, TX.

12:00PM – 2:00PM
David’s Chapel MBC
4353 S. Hampton Road, Dallas, TX 75232

SUNDAY – APRIL 14

Sacred Doula Collective presents
Flyer for 'Thriving Together: Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week' event by Sacred Doula Collective on April 14, 2024, from 1-3 PM CT at Pan-African Connection, featuring an Ask-A-Doula panel, vendors, community care, and giveaways.

1:00PM – 3:00PM
Thriving Together: Celebrating Black Maternal Health Week
Pan-African Connection Bookstore Art Gallery and Resource Center
4466 South Marsalis Avenue, Dallas, TX 75216

Registration Link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/thriving-together-a-black-maternal-health-week-celebration-tickets-873133133707

Divine Nine Family Reunion: Community Shower
Flyer for the D9 Family Reunion Community Shower event recognizing Black Maternal Health Week, hosted by HSC Healthy Start on April 14 at 4 PM at Riverbend Bistro in Fort Worth, TX. Attendees are encouraged to bring baby and hygiene items for donation.

4:00PM
Riverbend Bistro, 7251 Stoneway Drive North, Suite 400
Fort Worth, TX 76118
Please contact Maria Khan or Misty Wilder with questions: Maria.Khan@unthsc.edu

MONDAY – APRIL 15

MRHE Research Lab hosts Stats & Snacks: Leveraging Research to Amplify Reproductive Justice
"Flyer for 'Stats & Snacks' event by UTA Maternal and Reproductive Health Equity Lab on April 15 from 4-6 PM, discussing reproductive justice for Black maternal health. Features speakers from UT Arlington, Texas Tech, Texas Christian University, and Texas Woman’s University.

4:00PM – 6:00PM CST
University of Texas at Arlington
Science & Engineering Innovation and Research (SEIR) Building

Guests can park at the Mavericks Parking Garage (708 S. West Street, Arlington)
Parking information: https://www.uta.edu/pats/parking/parking-garage.php

**Register by April 12th: https://Stats-Snacks-UTA.eventbrite.com
For questions, please contact Rebecca at mchequitylab@uta.edu

TUESDAY – APRIL 16

UNTHSC Healthy Start Lunch & Learn

The Fourth Quarter: What Happens in the 4th Trimester
12:30PM – 2:00PM
UNTHSC Campus – MET Lawn (1000 Montgomery Street, Fort Worth)
Please contact Maria Khan or Misty Wilder with questions: Maria.Khan@unthsc.edu.

WEDNESDAY – APRIL 17

Black Men for Reproductive Wellbeing and Justice Webinar

5:30PM – 7:30PM CST
Registration: https://BMRJwebinar.eventbrite.com
For questions, please contact Rebecca at mchequitylab@uta.edu