Black Maternal Health Week 2026: Rooted in Justice & Joy

CUNY SPH Harlem Health Initiative

What is Black Maternal Health Week? Held annually on April 11 - 17th and founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, the goal of the campaign is to "build awareness, activism, and community building to amplify the voices, perspectives, and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people".

This year's theme focuses on the theme "Rooted in Justice and Joy", the CUNY School of Public Health's Harlem Health Initiative conducted this campaign to uplift and honor the work of our powerful colleagues, advocates, and peers through a word cloud and photo collage. By asking the question: "How does justice and joy express in your work on advocating for Black Maternal Health", we hope to hear these powerful stories directly from our communities. Additionally, CUNY SPH HHI also collated resources for sharing with HHI's network of community partners, stakeholders, and advocates.

Portfolio

2026 CUNY SPH Harlem Health Initiative Black Maternal Health Week Campaign

What is Black Maternal Health Week?

Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Mamas Matter Alliance - Advancing Black Maternal Health, Rights & Justice.

We envision a world where Black mamas have the rights, respect, and resources to thrive before, during, and after pregnancy. We are a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. We center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.

Blkmaternalhealthweek
Home | Black Maternal Health Week 2026

BMHW26 celebrates the leadership and expertise of Black community-based organizations as the foundation for advancing equity and ensuring transformative, sustainable improvements in Black Maternal Health. Advancing collective action highlights the essential role of collaboration between Black-led organizations, advocates, and communities to lead advocacy efforts, shape policies, and amplify solutions.

Organizations and Resources

Nyc
Maternal Health Action Kit

There is an ongoing maternal health crisis in New York City, particularly among communities of color. From 2016 to 2020, Black non-Hispanic women and birthing people were four times more likely to die of a pregnancy-associated cause and six times more likely to die of a pregnancy-related cause compared with white non-Hispanic women and birthing people.

NYC DOHMH
East Harlem Neighborhood Health Action Center

East Harlem Action Center Asthma Center of Excellence Location: 158 East 115th Street, New York, NY 10029 Mondays Tuesdays Wednesdays Thursdays The Neighborhood Health Action Centers provide health and wellness services in Harlem, as part of New York City's effort to promote health equity.

NYC DOHMH
Doula Care

Doulas provide non-medical support to pregnant people and their families before, during and after childbirth. This support can help families handle the physical, emotional and practical issues that surround childbirth. Studies have found doula support leads to better labor and birthing experiences, as well as better birth outcomes.

Ancient Song Doula Services
Ancient Song Doula Services

Ancient Song is a national birth justice organization working to eliminate maternal and infant mortality and morbidity among Black and Latinx people. We provide doula training and services, offer community education, and advocate for policy change to support reproductive and birth justice.