MELANIN AND MATERNAL WELLNESS
... because it takes a village.
EDUCATION / ADVOCACY / CARE
OUR
Core Values
Eban
VILLAGE
Nkonsonkonson
FAMILY
Asase Ye Duru
BIRTH JUSTICE
Mpatapo
HEALING
Sankofa
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE
MISSION
Our mission is to improve birth outcomes and decrease health disparities in Black maternal and infant health, by providing culturally congruent perinatal doula services, lactation support services, childbirth education, advocacy and linkage to community-aligned resources that support maternal wellness.
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Africa to America
Somewhere in the African past,
before the guns, before the shackles,
before the kidnappings of story-tellers and sky-readers, musicians, dancers, doctors, sculptors, teachers, planters, hunters, historians, mothers, fathers and children, before all that, there were women who caught the babies and guided them into the world, with gentle, loving hands.
THE WOMAN WHO CAUGHT THE BABIES
BY: ELOISE GREENFIELD
Our Sister's Keeper
Deep gratitude to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. - Theta Kappa Omega Chapterfor the distinctive honor of partnering with M&MW and Beautiful Womb facilitate “Our Sister’s Keeper!” We thank you for your continued leadership, and exemplary service to mankind. We are especially grateful for you dedicating your MLK Day of Service to the life saving efforts of advocacy for Black Maternal Health… “We” are OUR SISTER’S KEEPER!! 💞✊🏾
Ubuntu and Birth Justice:
Deep gratitude and appreciation to all who joined us for our Ubuntu and Birth Justice: Collective Action and Advocacy for Black Maternal Health event during Black Maternal Health week!
This event in partnership with Planned Parenthood, NAACP New Jersey State Conference WIN and Health committees, and Southern New Jersey Advocates alliance was integral and the support that filled the room was phenomenal. Special thanks to our Birth Justice “Power Hours” Roundtable panelists- Senator McKnight, Assemblywoman Reynolds- Jackson, Dr. Harris, and Ms. Maldonado for speaking truth to power. Our advocacy day truly amplified grassroots initiatives while also cultivating partnerships with our legislators all for the benefit of Black birthing families. Additionally, we were able to walk away with meaningful and measurable goals that move the needle on maternal health legislative efforts, all for those who need it the most, our families! Lastly, we sincerely thank New Jersey Birth Equity Funders Alliance for their continued support of Melanin and Maternal Wellness.
#bwb
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TAYLOR A.
"Having Crystal as a doula in one word would be refreshing. Crystal was my shoulder to cry on, my textbook for all of my questions, and most importantly my comfort zone. Having a doula is your personal birth partner, your doula supports you and makes you feel safe, they help you succeed in your birth experience without judgment, they give you guidance and reassurance. Crystal was everything you expect your doula to be and more. More than anything Crystal has become a friend and a mentor. Crystal was there for my pregnancy, labor, delivery and postpartum care. I could not be more grateful for her genuine love."
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