Alyssah Hall
Black mothers and expecting moms are invited to a celebration of Black Motherhood and community baby shower to learn maternal health information, create connections and feel empowered in their maternity journey. The event is hosted by the Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) in collaboration with the African Primary Healthcare Foundation (APHF) and will be held on Saturday, Aug. 16 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the IEHP Center for Learning and Innovation, located at 9500 Cleveland Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.
The event will feature a panel led by maternity experts including Dr. Ukachi Emeruwa, panel moderator and board-certified perinatologist; Chantel Runnels, mother of four and Southern California-based doula; and Dr. Toluwalase Ajayi, a mother of three and a pediatrics/hospice and palliative care expert.
The Celebration of Black Motherhood event supports IEHP’s mission to “heal and inspire the human spirit,” which includes educating the public about local resources available to them. According to the U.S. Centers Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. IEHP’s goal is to find a way that the community and themselves can help decrease that rate.
CDC data reported that the maternal mortality rate for Black women in 2022, was at 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, disproportionately higher than rates for white (19.0), Hispanic (16.9), and Asian (13.2) women. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable, according to the CDC.
“It’s a combination of a baby shower, it’s a combination of finding resources that are specific to the Black population, and it’s an educational session as well,” said IEHP Manager of Social and Community Services Kanita Bourne.
“We wanted a place where Black women could center joy and also find information or education. So the way this came about is honestly the African Primary Foundation. They brought it to us,” Bourne continued.
Dr. Iheanacho Emeruwa from the APHF heard about a doctor in Tennessee who held a similar event to the Celebration of Black Motherhood a few years ago. Emeruwa thought it would be great to bring an event like that to the Inland Empire and wanted to partner with IEHP, according to Bourne.
“In America, we’ve gone so individualistic, and if we really pay attention, things don’t work when we operate as individuals. There’s something to be said about going back to what we know worked. and what we know worked in most [of] what people consider minority communities, is community. How do we wrap ourselves around people who are going through birth or having a hard time?” Bourne shared.
Bourne is a perinatal mental health professional and shared that event goers will learn about the perinatal mood disorders including postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum psychosis. During the postpartum period, the partner of the birthing person is also more likely to have postpartum depression if the birther has it, according to Bourne.
Bourne shared that she is also eager to hear what the panel of midwives, doulas, and perinatologists have to say about the intersection of being Black and having a high risk pregnancy, as well as also being fearful of giving birth in the U.S. because of the high maternal mortality rates.
Guests can expect to receive resources specific to being Black and pregnant in the IE, some gifts, and a mini photo shoot.
“There are many people who want pregnancy photos, but either don’t have the means to do it, or, maybe it’s just in the back of your mind, because you’re really focused on staying alive and being okay during this difficult time,” Bourne stated.
“It’s a celebration of Black motherhood…so there will be dancing, and having a good time and trying to bring back the joy into childbirth for the Black individual,” Bourne continued.
Bourne hopes to turn the Celebration of Black Motherhood into an annual event that can not only help Black birthgivers but individuals of all backgrounds to thrive in maternal health. She would like to replicate this event for other populations who struggle as well, saying she’d love to see a celebration of motherhood for the American Indian population too.
“We know that the maternal [death] rate for Black birthers in this country is the worst anywhere. But honestly, the rate of maternal mortality in America is terrible. I wonder, if we improved the rate for Black birthers in this country, if that won’t be the catalyst for us to improve the rate of every birther in this country. I know some people struggle with the continued conversation of Black maternal health, but I think if we fix this, we as a country are just going to be better,” Bourne said.
