TAMPA, Fla. — Multiple events are lined up to honor, celebrate and recognize the importance of Black mothers and birthing persons as Black Maternal Health Week of Tampa Bay continues this week.
This initiative is designed to raise awareness and advocate for the improvement of maternal health outcomes within the Black community.
Black Maternal Health Week was originally created by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in 2018 to help advance maternal care for Black mothers throughout the U.S. Previous numbers from the CDC show, Black mothers are three, sometimes four times more likely to die during childbirth when compared to their white counterparts.
A new study from the March of Dimes shows the maternal mortality rates have returned to pre-pandemic rates, but there’s still a disparity when it comes to race and ethnicity.
Black Maternal Health Week runs from April 11-17. View a list of the events:
Tuesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Health Welcome Room – Tampa, FL (Map)
Affirming the role of men & fathers in the Black maternal health movement. Reserve a spot
Wednesday, 6:30 p.m. at the Sunshine Health Welcome Room – Tampa, FL (Map)
Advocacy and practice workshop for equity in Black maternal health. Reserve a spot
Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at the University of Tampa – Tampa, FL (Map)
Community conversation and round table discussion. Reserve a spot
Friday, 5:30 p.m. at the Living Faith Bible Fellowship – Tampa, FL (Map)
Community block party, food drive and birth expo. Reserve a spot
Saturday, 10 a.m. at the Westside Community Center – Sanford, FL (Map)
Chi Phi Zeta will be hosting a space where people can connect with their partners that offer prenatal and postpartum resources, mental health support, nutrition guidance and on-site screenings.
Saturday, 10:30 a.m. at Boyd Hill Nature Preserve Hammock Hall – St. Petersburg, FL (Map)
Chat, learn and support healthy moms. Reserve a spot
