The Way We Work
We believe those most impacted by health inequities must lead the solutions.
Because of this, we hold ourselves accountable first and foremost to Black mothers and birthing people navigating systems that have historically failed them. Their voices guide every stage of our work, and we stand in solidarity with them.
Core Pillars & Goals
The four pillars and goals outlined below guide our strategies, shape our initiatives, and reflect our commitment to transforming the Black birthing experience.
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Goal - Ensure access to culturally grounded perinatal health care for Black families, enabling them to confidently navigate their perinatal journey.
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Goal - Equip Black perinatal health professionals with culturally relevant training and business support to enhance the quality of care they provide to families and to build thriving, sustainable practices.
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Goal - Advance and support policies that actively address Black maternal health inequities and lead to meaningful improvements in outcomes for Black mothers.
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Goal - Elevate Black voices through community-based participatory research, ensuring that data reflects lived realities and drives systems-level change in maternal health.
Our Current Work
See how we're turning our mission into action.
Learn more about the advocacy efforts, initiatives, partnerships, and research projects we're actively advancing.
Continuing Education
Core Pillar Alignment: Workforce Development, Culturally Responsive Care
We offer continuing education for perinatal health professionals to enhance their knowledge and skills in providing quality, culturally responsive care.
Our next offering will be during Black Breastfeeding Week, August 25-31st. Check back soon for more information!
Fatherhood Initiative
Core Pillar Alignment: Community-Led Research
Our Director of Research & Evaluation, Dr. Kierra Otis, particpates in the Community Advisory Board for Supporting the Fathers in Family: A Community Participatory Study Protocol to Improve Fatherhood Support for Black Fathers in Arizona Pre/Postnatal Care Settings led by Arizona State University.
Listen to The Villages
Core Pillar Alignment: Community-Led Research
Our CEO, Lakisa Muhammad, is the Multiple Principal Investigator (MPI) for the NIH IMPROVE Community Implementation Program (CIP) Listening to the Villages Project. She provides scientific and community leadership at the intersection of research, implementation, and birth equity. She co-leads Arizona's implementation efforts, ensuring that community voices inform every stage of the research process.
Medicaid Covered Lactation Support
Core Pillar Alignment: Policy Change
We are expanding AHCCCS (Arizona Medicaid) policies to cover lactation consultations for low-income families. Additionally, we aim to increase the number of Black International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) in our community.
Listen to our Director of Strategic Initiatives, Erica Glaze, speaking at the Senate Committee in support of HB 2051.
Pathway to Perinatal Health Careers
Core Pillar Alignment: Workforce Development & Culturally Responsive Care
We are establishing a workforce development fund to increase access to careers in perinatal health. The fund will provide financial assistance to young adults pursuing education and professional certification as doulas, midwives, lactation consultants, and other birth professionals.
Perinatal Health Policy Alliance
Core Pillar Alignment: Workforce Development & Culturally Responsive Care
We are forming an alliance to enhance our advocacy efforts and ensure that the unique needs of our community are represented in health policy discussions. We are also developing advocacy and educational tools that will empower our community to engage directly with lawmakers and navigate the legislative system.