Our Bodies Belong to Us: Restoring Black Autonomy and Joy
Presenting Sponsor
We celebrate the legacy and leadership of Black mamas, birthing people, doulas, midwives, advocates, and organizers who are reimagining care, healing our communities, and building power.
At I Be Black Girl, we honor Black Maternal Health Week — sponsored by University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) — by creating intentional space for advocacy, storytelling, policy change, and collective care. We know that honoring the lives and legacies of Black birthing people isn’t just about surviving — it’s about thriving.
Why This Matters
Black mamas and birthing people deserve safety, joy, and full autonomy in their reproductive journeys. However the data and lived experiences reflect deep injustices—rooted not in race, but in racism.
Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to die during or after childbirth than white women.
The leading causes of maternal death—heart conditions and blood clots—are preventable.
According to the CDC, 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
Black birthing people experience “weathering,” the toll of systemic oppression on the body, increasing health risks at younger ages.
The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among wealthy nations—and Black women bear the greatest burden.
Nebraska’s maternal mortality rate is 28.2, far above the national rate of 20.4.
The state ranks 2nd-highest in the U.S. for maternity care deserts.
Since 2017, six rural birthing units in Nebraska have closed.
In Douglas County, the Black infant mortality rate is 12.7, compared to 4.2 for white infants.
From 2016–2018, rural regions accounted for 40% of births, but 66 of 93 counties have no OB/GYNs, birthing centers, or midwives.
Midwives, doulas, and culturally congruent care models have been proven to improve outcomes. Yet they remain underfunded, undervalued, and underutilized.
These inequities are not a matter of chance or biology. They are the result of systems built to exclude and neglect. We don’t just want better outcomes. We demand them.
Black Maternal Health Week- Get Ready!
Black Maternal Health Week is a national call to action—and a celebration of possibility. It’s a time to:
Raise awareness about the systemic causes of maternal health inequities
Celebrate Black-led care models and community-rooted innovation
Advocate for policy grounded in justice and dignity
Restore joy and self-determination in our reproductive lives
Let’s restore autonomy. Let’s protect joy. Let’s build a future where Black mamas not only survive—but thrive.
Date: Saturday, April 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM CDT
Location: I Be Black Girl Anarcha Center, 2306 N 24th St, Omaha, NE
Join us for a joy-filled morning of movement, healing, and community. Choose a 5K or 1-mile route along the North Omaha Trail, then stay for the BBQ, egg hunt, and celebration of Black maternal health.
Thanks to our sponsors: Charles Drew Health Center, Nebraska Medicine, Spark and Methodist.
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM CDT
Location: Film Streams (Rachel Theater), 1340 Mike Fahey St
Experience the powerful story of Anarcha—whose legacy is deeply tied to the fight for Black maternal health. This film invites us to reflect, connect, and honor the generations of Black women who came before us.
