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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 4d

Happy #NationalMidwiferyWeek! 🧡 Midwives do more than deliver babies: we save lives! We provide holistic, evidence-based care that lowers maternal & infant death rates and reduces unnecessary interventions. That’s why BMC is working to get a midwife in every neighborhood!

Three smiling Black birth workers—our Community Coordinators Shariah & Andrea, with ED Star in the middle. Text above reads National Midwifery Week

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 10d

Too many infants and birthing people are dying. It's a tragedy caused by:
➡️ Too few midwives of color providing culturally-congruent care
➡️ Barriers to becoming a midwife
➡️ The belief that doulas in medicalized births are enough

That’s why we’re working to get a #midwife in every neighborhood!

A photo of an iceberg. Above the water it says "What you can see" & is labeled "preventable maternal/infant mortality;" below the surface it says "and what you can't" and "midwifery workforce shortage, narrow pathway to education, doula 'fix'"

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 12d

The world will face a shortage of 310,000 midwives by 2030, hitting marginalized communities the hardest. Midwives—especially Black and brown midwives—are essential for safe, equitable births. Join the fight for a midwife in every neighborhood now! #BirthJustice

Nursing

Facts and figures on nursing

www.who.int

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 16d

It's finally here—Thursday is the Illinois Birth Justice State Strategic Plan Summit! The first of its kind, it's led by and for community-based perinatal care workers. We're coming together to build a statewide vision for birth and reproductive justice in Illinois! #BirthJustice

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 19d

As we get ready for Monday's event with actress/activist Tatyana Ali, please check out our ED Star August Ali's post on Tatyana’s Baby Yams blog from earlier this year. Protecting Black maternal health means investing in a powerful Black midwifery workforce for the future! 🖤✨

Investing in the Black Midwifery Workforce for Long-Term Sustainability and Impact

Discover why investing in Black midwifery is key to birth equity, better outcomes, and sustainable community care led by and for people of color.

baby-yams.com

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · 24d

Honored to announce that the Black Birthing Futures Project, led by Dr. Kaytura Felix at Johns Hopkins, won the 2025 Nexus Award for “Beloved Birth 50 by 50”—advancing midwifery, birth centers, and policy for safe, community-led care by 2050. #BelovedBirth50x50 #BirthJustice

Text reads: "Beloved Birth 50 by fifty Working to get 50% of babies in the US into the world with the care of midwives by 2050!" With the logos for: Birth Center Equity, Black Midwifery Collective, Commonsense Childbirth School of Midwifery, National Association of Certified Professional Midwives

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 10

🕯️Today is #WorldSuicidePreventionDay. Suicide is a leading cause of death during the postpartum period, and Black women are 2x more likely to report suicidal ideation at this time than white women. Let’s work together to break the silence, share resources, and uplift our community!

Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 9

👶🏾 Today is Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Awareness Day. FASD can cause lifelong physical, behavioral, & learning challenges. But it's 100% preventable by avoiding alcohol during pregnancy. Every child deserves a healthy start! 👶🏿 #FASDAwarenessDay

Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 7

Happy Grandparents’ Day! 🤎 Today, we honor the wisdom, resilience, and love of grandparents whose stories inspire and guide Black birth traditions. Thank you for uplifting generations and shaping a powerful legacy. #GrandparentsDay #BirthJustice

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 5

We’re honored to be recognized in the latest JAMA Health Forum article on Black maternal health for our partnership with a Chicago community college to expand midwifery education and access. Black-led, community-based midwifery is saving lives, & the world is taking note! #BirthJustice

Community Innovations to Improve Black Maternal Health

This JAMA Forum discusses efforts to improve Black maternal health in the US and provides examples of community-based birthing centers and initiatives.

jamanetwork.com

Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 3

Volunteers are needed for the Illinois Birth Justice State Strategic Plan Summit with @hmprg.bsky.social!

🗓️ September 25–26, 2025
📍 Chicago's South Side

Be part of a powerful gathering shaping the future of birth justice in Illinois! Register here: docs.google.com/forms/d/1XWH...

#BirthJustice

Text reads: "VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! CONNECT learn organize IGNITE IL BIRTH JUSTICE SUMMIT SEPT 25 & 26 CHICAGO" with the BMC & Health & Medicine Policy Research Group logos

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Sep 1

Every kind of labor shapes our world, especially birthing new life. Today, #LaborDay, we uplift our ancestors. They built, created, & delivered us, not just through toil, but through the miracle of birth. We honor Black midwives, birthing people, & all who labor for culturally-congruent care!

A photo of a Black woman in a birthing pool, wincing as she holds her newborn baby. Texts reads Happy Labor Day from BLACK MIDWIFERY COLLECTIVE.

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 30

🤱🏾 Breast milk = liquid gold! Packed with nutrients, antibodies and love, it fuels growth, boosts immunity and strengthens the bond between mama + baby. Every feed is nature’s perfect recipe. #BlackBreastfeedingWeek

Image reads Why is Breast Best? Has Polaroid-style photos of Black people breastfeeding Black babies.

Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 9

Calling all midwives, doulas, & other birth workers & advocates! Join us & @hmprg.bsky.social Sept 25–26 in Chicago for the IL Birth Justice Summit. Free for students & birth workers, childcare included! Register here, help shape the future: bit.ly/ILSSPsummit

Register today! IL Birth Justice Summit Sept 25 & 26 Chicago. Black Midwifery Collective. Health & Medicine Policy Research Group

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 8

Reviving midwifery is key to ending the maternal health crisis. With safer births, lower costs, and deep cultural roots, midwife-led care empowers families and saves lives. Let’s fight for equity and honor birthing traditions! #BirthJustice #MidwivesMatter

Could midwives be the solution to the America's maternal health crisis?

Midwives are making a big comeback, and solving a crisis in maternal health care.

www.nationalgeographic.com

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 5

Calling all small business owners, birth workers, artists, & wellness pros! Apply to be a vendor at the 2025 Milk & Melanin Festival Sat., Aug. 23 in Chicago. Share your gifts, support families, & celebrate Black breastfeeding! Vendor spots filling fast; sign up now! docs.google.com/forms/d/1oni...

Apply to be a vendor! Milk & Melanin Festival August 23 South Side, Chicago

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 5

📣 Volunteers needed for the 2025 Milk & Melanin Fest! 🧡 Help us celebrate Black breastfeeding on Saturday, August 23 in Chicago. Be part of the joy! Click here to sign up! docs.google.com/forms/d/1M-R...

#MilkAndMelaninFest #BirthJustice

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Aug 2

Join BMC & @hmprg.bsky.social for a powerful summit to connect & build a shared vision for birth justice in Illinois.

Sept. 25 welcomes all interested in shaping the future.

Sept. 26 is a private session for invited birth workers & stakeholders.

Register now: www.eventbrite.com/e/illinois-b...

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 31

Community midwifery should be the standard for over 90%+ of births—safe, relational, and proven to protect birthing people, especially in Black and Brown communities. This is common-sense care. Let’s make it the norm! 🖤🩸👶🏽 #BirthJustice #MidwiferyForThePeople

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 30

Come celebrate Black families at the Milk & Melanin Festival! Join us to uplift breastfeeding, infant health, and community care—the kickoff of Black Breastfeeding Week. Let’s bring visibility and joy to our journeys. 🖤✨ Register here: bit.ly/milkandmelanin2025

Reads FREE milk & melanin festival. A celebration of breastfeeding, Black families, birth, & body sovereignty. Saturday August 23, 2025 10am-3pm Southside Sanctuary 4701 S. King Drive, Chicago Brought to you by Black Midwifery Collective Register at: bit.ly/milkandmelanin2025

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 28

In case you missed it: Our staff member Shariah Sanders was featured in Ms. Magazine exposing how the “Big Beautiful Bill” harms Black & Indigenous maternal health. We’re proud to have fierce advocates like her pushing for real solutions. 🖤✊🏽 #BirthJustice #MidwivesRising #ProtectBlackMamas

A photo of Shariah smiling, wearing a Black Midwifery Collective tee that says A MIDWIFE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD. Text reads: The Big Beautiful Bill? A Big Bad Blow to Maternity Care Ms. x Groundswell article by Shariah Sanders ARTICLE LINK IN BIO!

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 26

🎉🎉🎉 We are celebrating a victory: Certified Professional Midwives in IL will now earn the same as CNMs. Pay parity means respect, equity, & midwives who can care for their families. It means more culturally-congruent care. Thank you to all who fought alongside us! #BirthJustice #Midwifery

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 22

The Illinois Community-Based Birth Justice Plan centers community voices to drive real, ground-up change. We’re building just, culturally rooted maternal health systems led by those most impacted. 🌱 Click here to learn more: blackmidwiferycollective.org/illinois-bir...

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Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 21

Want to learn how the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) will cause changes in healthcare and food assistance in your community? Join the online info session on Jul 25 at 10:00AM and help fight for equitable policy! Register here:

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Policy Briefing: One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) - Medicaid, ACA & SNAP . After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webi...

Join the Protect Our Care Illinois (POCIL) Coalition and partners for a virtual policy briefing on the provisions related to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assi...

aidschicago-org.zoom.us

Black Midwifery Collective @blackmidwifery.bsky.social · Jul 20

The Community Birth Study in SE Cook County uncovered gaps in perinatal care, assessed interest in midwifery-led services, & elevated Black & Brown birthing voices. It affirmed the need for culturally-rooted, community-led birth options. Read here: blackmidwiferycollective.org/community-bi...