As Black Breastfeeding Week approaches, the National Black Doulas Association (NBDA) is preparing to host its annual event, Chocolate Milk & Cookies: A Black Breastfeeding Week Celebration on Saturday, August 23rd, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Norcross, Georgia. The celebration is part of a broader mission to combat maternal and infant mortality rates within Black and Brown communities through culturally centered doula support, education, and advocacy.
The National Black Doulas Association, founded in 2017, stands as the #1 Black and BIPOC doula directory and training organization in the world. Their mission is urgent: Black women in the United States are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2023). Increased access to doulas has been linked to improved birth outcomes, higher breastfeeding rates, and reduced cesarean births, key goals NBDA strives to achieve.
“Having a Black National Doula Association is meeting a need,” said Joy Johnson, Programs Director at NBDA. “One thing that will be different … from any training you’ll get as a birth doula, is that we touch on the history. We talk about our granny midwives … the historic racism in the healthcare system towards Black women.”
“They have left a legacy for us to be able to do the work that we do today,” she added, emphasizing the lineage of resistance and care that Black doulas continue to uphold.
The Chocolate Milk & Cookies event will serve as a family-centered gathering that brings NBDA’s mission into action.
“It’s a time for us to recognize the unique barriers and strengths in Black and brown breastfeeding communities,” said Johnson. “Whether you’re breastfeeding, bottle feeding, formula feeding, or just looking for a space to connect with other families, this event is for you.”
At the core of the event is a mission to address the disparities in infant mortality rates.
“The heart of this event is to combat the statistic that our Black and Brown infants are two to three times more likely to die before their first birthday than their white counterparts,” Johnson said. “We want to make sure that it is known that our babies are loved, and that there is a safe space for them.”
In addition to celebration and support, Chocolate Milk & Cookies is an educational opportunity for parents, caregivers, and allies alike.
“One misconception about Black breastfeeding is that fact that Black women don’t breastfeed, or can’t breastfeed,” Johnson noted. “We [Black Women] are capable of that being a beautiful journey. It doesn’t have to be something that’s looked at as hard.”
From training birth workers to hosting community events, NBDA is committed to breaking stigmas and building trust within Black and Brown birthing communities.
“Our purpose is to educate our community, educate our white counterparts, educate our Black Doulas, making sure they’re given that culturally competent care,” Johnson said.
As families gather in Norcross this August, Chocolate Milk & Cookies will offer groundbreaking information and a powerful message: Black births, babies, and breastfeeding journeys matter.
