ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Local health and community leaders recognized Black Maternal Health Week with a gathering at the Little Theatre in Rochester on Monday.

Leaders came together to discuss solutions to improve maternal health outcomes for Black women. According to the CDC, as of 2024, Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women.

While those figures are grim, leaders say it’s also important to focus on joy when talking about Black mothers.

“I want us to pepper the media with good stories, the joy, how do we get there, how do we support one another, how do we show up to pregnancy in a way where we’re informed? All of those things are really crucial if we are to have positive outcomes,” said Twylla Dillon, CEO of HealthConnect One.

Black Maternal Health Week continues through Friday. You can learn more by visiting the Black Maternal Health Week website here.