It’s Black Maternal Health Week. Learn about resources for Charlotte expectant mothers.

Evan Moore
Updated ·2 min read
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April 11-17 is Black Maternal Health Week, a campaign dedicated to raising awareness and finding solutions to rising maternal mortality rates among Black mothers.

The campaign was founded in 2018 by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, an organization that advocates for black maternal health, rights and justice. Kamala Harris, then a California senator, and Rep. Alma Adams, D-NC, introduced the measure in Congress, which passed it as a resolution.

This year is the fifth anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week and April is also National Minority Health Month.

Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This is due to multiple factors, such as variations in quality of healthcare, underlying chronic conditions and structural racism, the CDC says.

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, here are some tips new and expecting Black parents may find helpful to protect the well-being of their babies, as well as a few maternal health resources available in Charlotte.

Resources for Black parents in Charlotte

There are a few organizations in Charlotte specializing in Black maternal health services.

Mine-R-T Doula Company, a Black-owned company, provides a variety of services dealing with pregnancy and childbirth, according to its website. The company employs doulas with experience working with vaginal births after a Caesarean section, plus size birth, high risk, multiples, medicated and unmedicated birth.

Those interested can visit charlottedoulaco.com to schedule a free consultation.

A Guided Journey, an initiative launched in 2021 by Care Ring NC in partnership with Mecklenburg County Public Health, provides services for new and expecting parents by getting them established with a doctor and assisting families with important services, such as food assistance and daycare, and providing education to promote health lifestyles.

The service is available for new parents in the following Mecklenburg County zip codes: 28205, 28206, 28208, 28212, 28216 and 28217. For more information about A Guided Journey, complete a contact form online, or call 704-248-3733.

Queen City Cocoa B.E.A.N.S., a non-profit organization “dedicated to the health of families of color,” according to its website, offers nutrition counseling and feeding support for parents, infants and children. The organization provides classes on topics such as prenatal nutrition, family cooking and breastfeeding.

Visit qccocoabeans.com to inquire about services or schedule an appointment with a provider.

Black maternal health tips

Here are some tips Black mothers can use to get the best care during a pregnancy, according to information from the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Library:

  • Consult with medical providers and express your needs and health concerns

  • Look for the best medical services in your area

  • Understand your employment benefits and insurance coverage during and after pregnancy

  • Reach out to reliable family and friends

  • Look for local agencies that provide services for expectant mothers