JUNETEENTH AND THE ONGOING FIGHT FOR BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH JUSTICE
- 9 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 minutes ago
Juneteenth is a celebration of freedom, resilience, Black joy, Black autonomy, and Black prosperity. It is a time to honor the strength of the Black community and reflect on the long struggle for liberation and equity. As Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian, explains, Juneteenth is a time to "...remember the collective strength of people of the African diaspora, and finally remember the spirituality and transcendent joy that enabled us to overcome."
Juneteenth also provides an opportunity for education and reflection on both the historical and present-day realities facing Black people in the United States.
While Juneteenth became a federal holiday in 2021, its origins date back to 1866. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring enslaved people free. However, during the Civil War, news of emancipation was intentionally withheld in many areas, and countless African Americans continued to have their freedom unlawfully denied.
More than two years later, on June 19, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas, bringing the long-awaited news of freedom to enslaved people. The following year marked the first Juneteenth celebration, commemorating a freedom that had been delayed but not denied.
As we celebrate this pivotal moment in history, we must also recognize that the legacy of slavery, discrimination, and systemic inequities continues to affect Black communities today, including in healthcare.
For Black women and birthing people, these inequities can have life-threatening consequences. Black women in the United States are approximately three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, despite most pregnancy-related deaths being preventable. These disparities are not the result of individual choices but are rooted in systemic barriers, unequal access to quality care, and the cumulative effects of racism.
At BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center (BWPC), we believe that advancing Black maternal health is an essential part of the ongoing fight for freedom, dignity, and justice. Through education, advocacy, community support, and resource connection, we work to address the disparities that continue to impact Black families throughout California's Central Valley.
How BWPC Is Advancing Black Maternal Health Equity
Pregnancy Support Groups (Postpartum coming soon!)
Our Pregnancy Support Groups create safe, culturally congruent spaces where BIPOC mothers receive guidance from maternal health experts and build community with other moms. Participants of the support groups receive education on topics like pregnancy conditions, building a birth plan, navigating health benefits, and newborn care. They also get access to resources, referrals, and baby essentials, all free of charge.
Thanks to funding from First 5 Fresno County, we are excited to expand our postpartum support offerings in the next year with postpartum groups! You can read more about that here.
Interested in joining a Pregnancy Support Group?
Enroll today at Blackwpc.org/pregnancy-support
Community Health Advocacy
BWPC's Community Health Advocates help individuals and families navigate complex healthcare and social service systems. Through one-on-one support, referrals, and resource navigation, advocates help connect community members to the services they need to improve health outcomes and overall well-being.
Learn more and enroll here.
Breastfeeding Support Services
Breastfeeding has incredible benefits for both parent and baby, yet many Black families face barriers to receiving adequate support. BWPC’s Lactation Specialist, Hollye, offers compassionate, personalized support to help parents and caregivers navigate a successful, affirming breastfeeding journey. She partners with families to meet their unique needs, build confidence on the feeding journey, and improve their overall well-being.
Sign up for breastfeeding support services here.
Community Health Education and Resources
By developing health education materials and resources such as our Community Health Education Library and Birthing While Black: A Hospital Guide, BWPC equips Black women with information to better understand their rights, advocate for themselves, and make informed decisions about their care.
Beyond Survival: Transforming Systems So Black Moms Can Thrive
Improving maternal health outcomes requires more than individual support-it requires systemic change. BWPC works to raise awareness about maternal health disparities, advocate for evidence-based solutions, and advance policies that promote equitable healthcare for Black families.
The work of Black maternal health justice is deeply connected to the broader struggle for freedom and equity that Juneteenth represents. As we celebrate Black resilience and achievement, we are unapologetic in our commitment to creating a future where every Black mother and baby not only survive but thrive!