Day: May 31, 2023

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Stronger Together: List of Empowering Support Groups for Black Moms

Stronger Together: Empowering Support Groups for Black Moms

Hey Mamas,

I hope this message finds you well. I know we’ve been talking a lot about the unique challenges that we as Black mothers face, and the importance of finding a supportive community where we can share our experiences, learn from each other, and grow together. I’ve been doing a bit of research and I think I found some groups that you might be interested in. These organizations offer resources and a safe space for us to navigate motherhood. Check them out:

  1. Moms of Color: A platform dedicated to providing resources and support to mothers of color, fostering a community where they can learn, grow, and nurture together and strive to be greater.
  2. The Kuponya Group: A virtual healing community that provides a safe space for Black mothers, the Kuponya Project encourages self-care, self-love, and self-expression.
  3. Black Maternal Health Alliance: This organization is dedicated to improving Black maternal health outcomes by promoting policy change and providing resources for education and advocacy.
  4. Black Women Birthing Justice: This grassroots organization works to improve Black maternal and reproductive justice through community organizing, education, and research.
  5. Mocha Moms: This national support group is for stay-at-home mothers of color who are looking to connect with other mothers and find resources for parenting and self-care.
  6. Sisters in Loss: This online community provides support and resources for Black women who have experienced infertility, baby loss, and miscarriage.
  7. Black Women’s Health Imperative: This organization advocates for policies and programs that improve the health and wellness of Black women and girls. They offer resources for reproductive and maternal health, mental health, and more.
  8. Black Mamas Matter Alliance: A national organization that advocates for the health and well-being of Black mothers and families. Their website provides information about policy, advocacy, and resources.
  9. National Birth Equity Collaborative: An organization that works to reduce maternal and infant mortality rates among Black women. They provide resources, training, and advocacy.

I hope you find these resources as helpful and empowering as I do. Remember, we’re not alone in this journey, and these groups are here to support us. Don’t hesitate to reach out to them or to me if you need anything. Let’s continue to uplift each other and grow as mothers and sisters. Take care and be well.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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Elevating Black Moms: A Guide to Prenatal & Postnatal Health

A Guide to Prenatal & Postnatal Health

Introduction Empowering Your Journey: A Resource for Black Mothers is designed to address the specific challenges Black mothers may face during their prenatal and postnatal care journey due to structural racism and bias. This guide is not meant to replace professional medical advice, but rather to provide some useful strategies and resources to help navigate this critical period.

Understanding the Challenges Black mothers in the United States face a disproportionately high rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes, including higher maternal mortality rates and higher incidences of conditions like preeclampsia and gestational diabetes. Structural racism, lack of access to quality care, and implicit bias in healthcare are significant contributors to these disparities​1​​2​.

Prenatal Care

  1. Finding a Supportive Healthcare Provider: It’s crucial to find a healthcare provider who understands and acknowledges these systemic issues. Your provider should be willing to listen to your concerns, respect your choices, and advocate for your health and well-being​2​.
  2. Advocate for Your Health: Speak up if you don’t feel well or have questions about your pregnancy. Don’t hesitate to seek a second opinion if needed. Remember, advocating for your health is crucial​1​.
  3. Understanding Your Risks: Be aware of the potential health risks associated with pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. If you have pre-existing conditions like hypertension or diabetes, make sure these are well-managed before and during pregnancy​1​.

Postnatal Care

  1. Extending Healthcare Coverage: Postpartum care is critical for the health of both the mother and the baby. Under the American Rescue Plan Act, Medicaid coverage for pregnant individuals can be extended from 60 days to one-year postpartum​1​​2​.
  2. Accessing Mental Health Resources: Mental health is just as important as physical health. Ensure that you have access to mental health resources and support during the postnatal period.
  3. Community Support: Join local or online support groups for Black mothers such as “The Kuponya Group“. These communities can offer invaluable advice, support, and resources based on their experiences.

Policy Changes and Advocacy It’s important to recognize that changes need to be made at a systemic level to address these disparities. Advocacy for policy changes, such as improving access to healthcare for Medicaid enrollees, extending postpartum coverage, and passing laws like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, is critical in this endeavor​2​.

Conclusion By being informed and proactive, you can play a vital role in ensuring your health and the health of your baby. Remember, it’s essential to advocate for yourself, seek support, and contribute to systemic changes to improve outcomes for Black mothers.

Please note that this guide should be used as a starting point and a resource. Always consult with healthcare professionals regarding any health-related decisions during your pregnancy and postnatal period.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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The Maternal Care Crisis in the United States: A Call for Radical Change

The Maternal Care Crisis in the United States: A Call for Radical Change

The maternal care crisis in the United States transcends the country’s high rate of maternal mortality and infant mortality. Adverse pregnancy outcomes like miscarriage, premature birth, and conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, eclampsia, embolism, and postpartum depression all feature prominently in this crisis. All these adverse outcomes, including the rate of maternal and infant mortality, disproportionately affect Black birthing individuals and their babies more than any other demographic in the country​1​.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that maternal mortality rose by 40% from 2020 to 2021, with the maternal mortality rate for Black women being 2.6 times higher than that for white women. This statistic is not only alarming but points to a deeply entrenched problem of racial inequity in the healthcare system​1​.

The causes of this disparity are multifaceted, ranging from healthcare access issues and underlying chronic conditions to structural racism and implicit bias​1​​2​. Chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes often go uncontrolled during pregnancy, increasing the risk of complications​1​. Lack of adequate insurance coverage before, during, and after pregnancy, the absence of interprofessional teams trained in best practices, and the closure of maternity units in many communities all exacerbate the crisis​1​.

Structural racism has played a significant role in these dismal health outcomes. It has led to the devaluing of Black people and has significant impacts on people’s health. It is a powerful social condition rooted in centuries of oppression and continues to persist today in our healthcare policies and practices​2​. Over time, harmful institutional practices and negative cultural representations have contributed to traumatic pregnancy and birthing experiences for Black women​2​.

In response to this crisis, health care providers need training to recognize and address racism and bias in their interactions with Black patients, ensuring that care respects and values Black life​2​. Public policy changes are also necessary, especially those related to healthcare access. The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 extended Medicaid coverage for pregnant people from 60 days to one-year postpartum, but more permanent solutions are needed, such as mandatory extension of postpartum coverage to at least one year, and the passage of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus​2​.

Sympathy and awareness are necessary but insufficient; there must be a radical shift in how Black women and birthing people are treated and cared for on a systemic level. This shift begins by acknowledging their humanity, hearing their voices, and listening to their stories. The role of each individual in dismantling structural racism, a key contributor to racial disparities in maternal health, cannot be overstated. It is well past time to implement policies and healthcare practices to ensure quality healthcare that is equitable and respectful of Black women and birthing individuals​2​.

In the words of Dr. Plenty, “Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself. And if you need a second opinion, that’s not insulting” to the first physician​1​.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.

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The Impact of White Supremacy on African American Families

The Impact of White Supremacy on African American Families

White supremacy is a socio-political ideology that asserts the superiority of the white race over other races, particularly over people of African descent. This ideology has been a prevailing force in shaping the historical and contemporary experiences of African Americans, imprinting a profound impact on family structures, economic opportunities, health, and overall well-being. This article aims to explore the numerous ways white supremacy has affected African American families throughout history and continues to do so today.

Historical Context

The legacy of white supremacy on African American families can be traced back to the era of slavery. This brutal system forcibly disrupted African family units, separating loved ones through the sale of human beings as chattel. The systematic and intentional fracturing of African families was a form of psychological warfare that sought to undermine the strength and resilience of African communities.

Post-slavery, during the Jim Crow era, African American families faced racial segregation, economic disadvantage, and systemic violence. The denial of quality education and opportunities for wealth accumulation prevented many African American families from achieving economic mobility. These racialized economic disadvantages are deeply ingrained, with effects persisting in the form of wealth gaps that continue to this day.

Contemporary Impacts

In the present day, the impacts of white supremacy on African American families are evident across multiple domains.

  1. Economic Inequality: Despite the progress made since the civil rights movement, stark racial disparities persist in wealth and income, a direct result of centuries of systemic racism. Discriminatory practices like redlining and the racial wage gap have limited the economic opportunities available to African American families.
  2. Criminal Justice System: African Americans are disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. This overrepresentation, driven by systemic racism and bias, leads to higher rates of incarceration, which disrupts families and has profound long-term impacts on children and communities.
  3. Health Disparities: African Americans face significant disparities in health outcomes. The stress of living in a racially biased society, along with disparities in access to quality healthcare, contribute to higher rates of chronic diseases and lower life expectancies.
  4. Education: Racial disparities in educational opportunities and outcomes persist, due largely to systemic racism. This includes underfunded schools in predominantly African American neighborhoods and the school-to-prison pipeline, which disproportionately affects African American students.

Conclusion

The legacy of white supremacy continues to cast a long shadow over African American families, manifesting in economic inequality, disparities in the criminal justice system, health disparities, and unequal access to quality education. While progress has been made, acknowledging and addressing the deep-seated roots of systemic racism is crucial for creating a society that offers equal opportunities to all its members, regardless of their racial or ethnic background.

Moving forward, it is essential to continue confronting and dismantling systemic racism and white supremacy at all levels of society, from individual attitudes and behaviors to institutional policies and practices. By doing so, we can begin to rectify the historical injustices inflicted upon African American families and work toward a future characterized by genuine equality and justice.

With Love, Lakischa Smith

Meet Lakischa Smith, a proud mother and a dedicated public health advocate. With a Bachelor’s from Dillard University and a Master’s in Public Health from Florida International University, she’s committed to sharing honest narratives about black motherhood. Lakischa believes in fostering sisterhood to combat the pervasive forces of white supremacy, and empowering African American women to be agents of change for future generations. She asserts that recognizing and addressing our community’s struggles is crucial, for healing is the key to moving forward. Armed with the power of education and a deep belief in collective action, Lakischa is determined to ensure that the issues impacting African American maternal health aren’t just seen—they’re addressed and resolved.