Source: (1) Shifting the Future of Black Maternal Health | LinkedIn
Ashlee Wisdom, MPH
Many of us have heard the alarming statistic that Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women (according to data from the Centers for Disease Control). Even more alarming is 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable. These numbers should never feel routine or acceptable. Every time we hear them, they should spark outrage and sadness—and compel us to take action.
Women of color, particularly Black women, continue to bear the weight of unconscious and systemic bias in the U.S. healthcare system. For years, we’ve had to fight to be seen, heard, and respected in matters of reproductive health, knowing that our survival often depends on our ability to advocate for ourselves. In 2024, this harsh reality remains unchanged.
Black women turned out in strong numbers to protect reproductive rights, as the recent election poll results reflected, underscoring our unwavering commitment to safeguarding access to care and reproductive justice.
Still, the fight for meaningful change in Black maternal health requires far more than securing access to care. The disparities we face are symptoms of a deeply entrenched problem—one rooted in structural inequities and systemic failures within the healthcare system. Transforming this reality and creating the future of Black maternal health that we want to see demands intentional, systemic change.
What’s Missing from the Conversation
Systemic Racism and Failures
One thing I wish more people understood about the maternal health experiences of Black women is how deeply systemic racism—not just implicit bias—shapes those experiences.
It’s not just about individual moments of care where a provider might dismiss pain or symptoms; it’s about the cumulative effect of living in a society where stress, access to resources, and structural inequities undermine health outcomes from the start.
Black women often come into pregnancy already navigating the compounded health impacts of racism, whether through higher rates of hypertension, diabetes, or simply the weathering effect of chronic stress. These aren’t individual failings—they are systemic failures.
One story that illustrates this is the story of Shalon Irving. I first learned about Shalon during my time in graduate school. Shalon had everything going for her—two master’s degrees, a PhD, a prestigious career as an epidemiologist at the CDC, and strong family support.
Given her social and economic advantages, Shalon seemed like someone who would have access to the care necessary for a healthy pregnancy. However, six weeks after giving birth, despite experiencing signs of preeclampsia and voicing her concerns, she collapsed and ultimately died—her symptoms had been repeatedly dismissed.
Shalon’s story is just one of many involving Black mothers across the U.S. facing similar neglect. Her tragic experience ignited my passion for building Health In Her HUE, and since then, I’ve had the privilege of meeting her mother and supporting the important work she continues to do.
When maternal health solutions focus only on increasing access or awareness, without addressing the larger systemic issues, we miss the mark.
Black Resilience and Innovation
We don’t talk enough about the resilience and innovation of Black women—qualities often born from the need for self-preservation and deep care for our communities. When I reflect on this innovation, I’m reminded of the Kwanzaa principle of Ujima: Collective Work and Responsibility. When Black women build, we build with purpose—to sustain our communities, take on our sisters’ and brothers’ struggles as our own, and find solutions together.
There’s so much to learn from the ways we cultivate community, advocate for ourselves, and uplift each other along the way. Platforms like Health In Her HUE are designed to amplify this spirit, bridging the gap between healthcare providers, digital health solutions, and Black women, while creating spaces where our stories and solutions take center stage in driving systemic change.
By centering Black women’s lived experiences in maternal health interventions, we have the opportunity to create a system that works better for everyone. Thankfully, many companies led by Black women founders are already paving the way, demonstrating what’s possible when innovation and community care intersect.
Black Founders Leading the Charge in Maternal Health
It’s important to shine a spotlight on the work of Black founders in maternal and reproductive health, as they are transforming the very experience of healthcare for Black women and birthing people. By using my platform to amplify the positive impact they are making in healthcare, I hope to draw more attention and support to our collective efforts.
One company I’m especially inspired by is Navigate Maternity. Founded by my soror, Ariana McGee, Navigate Maternity is on a mission to resolve the perinatal morbidity and mortality crisis caused by health disparities through big data analytics.
I love their approach to providing remote patient monitoring support because too often Black moms and birthing people’s concerns get overlooked or dismissed in the hospital, but having remote monitoring and support while at home can provide more omni-channel support and hopefully reduce mortality due to biased care.
Several other companies I want to highlight for their work are:
- Irth – Founded by Kimberly Seals Allers, Irth empowers birthing people to share reviews of their hospital experiences, with the goal of improving maternity care and enabling Black and brown women to shape the care they receive.
- Kimbritive—Founded by Kimberly Huggins and Brittany Brathwaite, Kimbritive is a platform for black women, providing sexual wellness and reproductive health education. I love their upstream approach in helping Black women be more informed about their sexual wellness and reproductive health.
- Poppy Seed Health – Led by Simone Tate, Poppy Seed Health connects birthing people with doulas, midwives, and nurses to provide immediate emotional and mental health support throughout pregnancy, postpartum, and loss.
- Birth By Us — Founded by Mercy Oladipo and Ijeoma Uche, Birth by Us is an all-in-one app that helps birthing people monitor their health, receive personalized insights and recommendations, and access community resources throughout their pregnancy journey.
- CandeLit Care — After experiencing a traumatic birth, Lauren Elliott, founded Candlelit Care, a virtual perinatal mental health service built to identify and manage symptoms for Black pregnant and postpartum women and parents. Candlelit offers perinatal mental health support to help them navigate complications that could affect both their health and their baby’s.
- Wolomi — Founded by Layo George, Wolomi is an online community that connects expectant mothers with each other and maternal health experts to help navigate pregnancy, postpartum, and motherhood.
- Mae — Led by Maya Shankar, Mae is a digital health platform that provides Black women with accessible, expert-backed maternal health support through weekly tracking, personalized tips, and holistic care throughout their pregnancy journey.
I encourage you to visit the websites of these companies, and find ways to support them as a customer, investor, or with a simple follow on their social media pages.
The Role We All Play in Improving Maternal Health for Black Women
One thing the broader community must understand is this isn’t just a “Black women’s issue”—it’s a societal issue and quite frankly, it’s an economic issue (the U.S. economy is losing significantly because of Black maternal mortality and morbidity).
Everyone has a role to play in dismantling the systemic barriers that put Black women at greater risk. One thing people often overlook is the power of amplifying our voices and supporting community-led solutions.
Here are a few tangible ways the community can help:
1. Advocate for Policy Change
Support legislation that addresses maternal health disparities, like the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which takes a comprehensive approach to improving care, addressing social determinants of health, and funding community-based organizations.
2. Support Black Birth Workers
Doulas, midwives, and lactation consultants play a critical role in maternal health outcomes. Supporting Black birth workers—whether through funding, referrals, or advocating for insurance coverage—ensures more women have access to culturally responsive care.
3. Address Racism in Healthcare
Individuals and institutions can push for anti-racism training within healthcare systems and hold providers accountable for creating safe and affirming environments for Black women.
4. Invest in Organizations Doing the Work
Support organizations like the ones I’ve highlighted that are actively addressing gaps in care and providing resources to Black women.
5. Educate Yourself and Others
Sometimes the best place to start is by learning about the challenges Black women face in maternal health and sharing that knowledge. Conversations create awareness, and awareness drives action.
Even small actions—like amplifying Black women’s stories, challenging bias when you see it, or simply showing up in solidarity—can create ripple effects.
Improving maternal health for Black women requires collective action, but it starts with each of us recognizing our responsibility to be part of the solution.