BIRTHING WHILE BLACK: A HOSPITAL GUIDE
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC) is proud to announce Birthing While Black: A Hospital Guide, developed in partnership with Borne by CRWNMAG, Tre Borden /Co, with support from The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Awards. This beautiful guide was designed to help Black mothers protect their voice, understand their options, and feel supported throughout their pregnancy journey.
In February 2025, Shantay R. Davies-Balch, BWPC President & CEO was awarded The James Irvine Foundation Leadership Award, and a benefit of this prestigious award was the production of an art activation. When the opportunity arose to collaborate with the illustrious CRWNMAG on a publication supporting Black families as they navigate hospital birth, we were absolutely thrilled.
CRWNMAG is a family-owned lifestyle publication known for their beautiful imagery and quality writing with an intentional focus on uplifting Black women. CRWNMAG has covered incredible Black women like Tracee Ellis Ross and Issa Rae so needless to say, we were star struck! The connection with Lindsey Farrar, founder of Borne and CRWNMAG, was immediate. With personal ties to the Central Valley and experience as a doula, Lindsey approached the guide with deep understanding and thoughtful collaboration. CRWNMAG Chief Creative Nkrumah brought a powerful creative vision to the guide’s design, resulting in imagery that beautifully reflects various experiences and emotions throughout pregnancy. Co-creating this guide has truly been a labor of love for Black women and individuals experiencing pregnancy and birth.
The United States has the highest maternal mortality rate of any high-income country and Black women are 3 to 5 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. About 98% of births in the U.S. take place in a hospital, and it is common for mothers to go into labor feeling unprepared to navigate the hospital birth setting. This guide offers a supportive framework for hospital birth, with information and tips to help Black moms feel as prepared as possible to have the birth experience they deserve. Covering topics such as Clarifying Your Birth Vision, Strengthening Your Autonomy, Building Your Birth Team, Navigating Labor, and Protecting Your Postpartum Recovery, we believe this guide will serve as a life-saving resource.
BWPC is unapologetically dedicated to the health and well-being of the Black community, with a vision that no Black woman will die from a preventable cause. We achieve this through systems level transformation and by supporting individuals with education, advocacy, and resources. While education cannot guarantee a specific outcome, it can help prepare and strengthen Black mothers through their pregnancy, labor and postpartum journey.
We cannot wait to share the guide with YOU! During Black Maternal Health Week 2026, BWPC will formally unveil the guide at the Birthing While Black Guide Launch Party. Please save the date for Thursday, April 16th, with more details to follow.
Additionally, BWPC will also distribute the guide to hospitals, doctor’s offices, community-based organizations, and other partners across Fresno. Stay tuned for more information about how to order a guide directly from CRWNMAG.
