Dear Community,
As 2024 comes to an end, we would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress we've made over the past year. With the support of our team and partners, we have made significant steps toward improving health and wellness in our community. We’re excited to share some of our accomplishments with you!
Computer Literacy Training at BWPC
To kick off 2024 we hosted computer literacy courses in collaboration with the State Center Community College District’s Training Institute. These courses were designed to help community members enhance their basic computer knowledge. Participants learned computer terminology, were introduced to email and Microsoft Word, and gained skills in basic troubleshooting.
Black Maternal Health Week!
This year’s Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW) was our biggest celebration yet. With the theme “Our Bodies STILL Belong to Us: Reproductive Justice Now,” we focused on raising awareness about Black maternal and infant health. Our second annual Black Maternal Health Art Exhibit, Health Fair, and Symposium, with California Surgeon General Dr. Diana Ramos, elevated the conversation on reproductive justice and provided the community with free pregnancy and maternal health resources.
Backpack Giveback & Fall for Health
In addition to BMHW, we hosted two free community resource events: our 2nd Annual Backpack Giveback, where we distributed 200 free backpacks filled with school supplies, and our 3rd Annual Fall for Health Community Event, which provided health education and resources to families in West Fresno. Thanks to Saint Rest Baptist Church for hosting us every year!
Growth for the BLACK Doula Network
We also saw progress with our BLACK Doula Network (BDN). Thanks to our partnership with Community Health System, our doula trainees completed 150 hospital observation hours! Four doulas were certified during BMHW, and three more doulas will be certified in 2025. Watch this video highlighting our partnership.
Meet Brittany Edwards-Mbong, CNM, WHNP!
This year, we welcomed Brittany Edwards-Mbong, CNM, WHNP, to the team! As a Certified Nurse Midwife and Nurse Practitioner, Brittany can diagnose, treat, and independently manage the birth process. She brings expertise in primary and maternity care for women and families. Brittany will play a key role in developing our future birthing center.
BWPC Care Coordination Expansion
In August, the African American Coalition (AAC) celebrated its first anniversary as a program under BWPC, bringing with it two key partnerships: Fresno County’s Health Disparities (HD) Program and Fresno HOPE Pathways Community HUB (FCHIP). Funding from these partnerships enables our team of Community Health Advocates to assist families in accessing housing, healthcare, and other essential resources. In December, BWPC was recognized as FCHIP's Care Coordination Agency of the Year honoring our team's dedication and commitment to supporting the community.
Black Infant Health Satellite Program Concluded
This year, we completed the final cohort of our Black Infant Health (BIH) satellite program, supporting over 60 pregnant Black mothers and birthing persons with prenatal and postpartum care. While the program at BWPC has ended, many participants are still actively involved with our other events and programs.
Partnership with the California Surgeon General to Reduce Maternal Mortality
We officially partnered with the California Surgeon General’s Strong Start & Beyond campaign to reduce maternal deaths, especially in the Black community. This partnership allows us to work toward eliminating preventable deaths and improving outcomes. We are committed to having the hard conversations, addressing concerns raised, and working collaboratively with all stakeholders to expand access to resources and push for necessary change.
Grown Woman Talk with Dr. Sharon Malone!
In November, we had the privilege of hosting New York Times Bestselling Author Dr. Sharon Malone for a special event! She shared valuable insights on menopause, effective treatments for its symptoms, and highlighted the importance of advocating for ourselves in healthcare. Watch the full event recording here.
Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Health Campaign
Our “Your Vote, Your Voice, Your Health” education campaign reached over 1,500 residents, raising awareness about the crucial link between civic participation and improving health outcomes. We offered educational resources on voting in both English and Spanish. Read about the connection between Health and Democracy
Anemia Research Partnership with Stanford University to Address Maternal Health Disparities
As Community Co-investigators in partnership with Stanford University and the NIH-funded IMPROVE initiative, BWPC is developing an Anemia Prevention Toolkit (APT) to help prevent complications like postpartum hemorrhage and low birth weight. We will gather input from over 120 focus group sessions to ensure the toolkit meets the needs of Black and Latine birthing individuals. Read more about our partnership here.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, we look forward to expanding our impact in 2025. With your support, we can keep building the BLACK Doula Network, develop our birthing center, and continue connecting families to essential resources for healthier, more equitable outcomes. Your donation is an investment in a healthier, stronger community for everyone.
Thank you for supporting us and standing by our side. Wishing you a joyful, restful holiday season, and a very happy new year!
Sincerely,
Shantay R. Davies-Balch and the BWPC Team
P.S. Be sure to follow us on social media, so you don’t miss the exciting events and opportunities we have planned for the year ahead!
