Black Maternal Health Week is recognized each year from April 11-17 to bring attention and action in improving Black maternal health. Everyone can play a role in working to prevent pregnancy-related deaths and improving maternal health outcomes. KCHD is proud to be part of Black Maternal Health Week with help from our partners in the community.
Throughout the year, our team works with community partners to bring awareness and advance the conversation about the maternal health crisis in our minority populations. This week we encourage you to join the conversation! #BlackMamasMatter #BMHW23
Community Events:
Park Meetup:
When: 3:30-5 p.m. April 11
Where: Ashley Nicole Dream Park and Playground, 620 Winona St. Knoxville, TN 37917
As a way to kick-off Black Maternal Health Week, the UTMC Sister Circle and KBEA would like to invite families to meet-up for treats and play. Come and connect with other families of color in our community. Waters and refreshments will be provided. Open to the public. No registration necessary.
Narrative Medicine Workshop:
When: 5:30 p.m. April 15
Where: Room 1215, McClung Tower on the University of Tennessee campus, 1707 Volunteer Blvd., Knoxville TN, 37996.
This workshop will introduce attendees to the practice of narrative medicine and feature UT Medical Center Midwifery Director Jodie Simms-MacLeod.
For questions, please contact Dr. Danielle Procope Bell at dprocopbell@utk.edu.
Paint & Taste Event
When: When: 6-8 p.m. April 18
Where: The Bottom, 2340 E. Magnolia Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917.
As a part of Black Maternal Health Week, this Paint & Taste event is dedicated to celebrating Black mothers and their babies. The event will feature a painting session and tasting experience.
Please register for the event at Amplifying the Voices of Black Mamas & Babies: Paint & Taste Event Tickets, Thu, Apr 18, 2024 at 6:00 PM | Eventbrite.
2nd Annual Knoxville Black Maternal Health Conference
When: April 13 and 14
Where: Pellissippi State Community College Magnolia Avenue Campus, 1610 E. Magnolia Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
The 2nd Annual Knoxville Black Maternal Health Conference is a two-day event and features the theme: "Shifting Our Narrative: Policy, Advocacy & Justice."
Please register for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2nd-annual-knoxville-black-maternal-health-conference-tickets-844339180217.
Gennisi Charitable Birth Services 3rd Annual Community Baby Shower
When: 12-2 p.m. April 13
Where: The Change Center, 203 Harriet Tubman St. Knoxville, TN 37915
Gennisi Charitable Birth Services will hold its 3rd Annual Community Baby Shower. The event will feature gifts, giveaways, food and more. Participants must be pregnant or have infant(s) 6 months or younger
Please register for the event at https://www.gencharities.org/.
Did you know:
- In 2017, the infant mortality rate for black babies in Knox County was four-and-a-half times that of white babies, and the rate of black babies born at a low birth rate was almost two-and-a-half times that of white babies.
- Black women are three times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related cause than white women, with multiple factors contributing to these disparities including racial inequities, pre-existing conditions, "Black pain" or the common belief that Black people have a higher pain tolerance than white people and lack of access to health care.
Click here to learn more about resources for Black Maternal Health.
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