Photo : David Prado Perucha
We support the work of grassroots activists that led to the Black maternal health proclamation as well as legislation including the Momnibus Act that will address the maternal health crisis . And we need more . We require more comprehensive investments so that Black children will thrive and live long and full lives and in turn mothers of Black children will not have to deal with lifelong grief . We demand practice , policy and cultural shifts that will demonstrate that our country loves and respects Black children and families , and uphold our right to Black dignity and life .
We need a culture shift so Black girls like 17-year-old Mikayla Miller , who in April 2021 was hanged by community youth for being Black and queer , get a chance to contribute to the culture by living their full lives rather than becoming another example of why Black mothers seek justice . Recognizing that the voices of Black girls and gender expansive youth have long been unheard and are critical to us creating culture and policy shifts , we created a National Agenda for Black Girls . In deep partnership with young people we are advocating for the passage of a Black Girls Bill of Rights that will ensure Black girls and gender expansive youth have the resources , support and care they need to not only survive but thrive .
Only when policymakers mobilize resources that demonstrate a sustained , lifelong commitment to our young people , including Black girls and gender expansive youth who often are forgotten , will they make good on proclamations for Black maternal health .
This Mother ’ s Day , my hope is for all of us to work towards a future where maternal health for Black mothers will also mean an end to a generational cycle of grief that starts well before our children are even born . It ’ s time for us to imagine and create a future where we invest in the health and well-being of Black mothers and children .
Program Success 13 May 2021
Joanne N . Smith is a first-generation , queer , Haitian woman and New York native . She ’ s a co-founder of Black Girl Freedom
Fund and the founder of Girls for Gender Equity , where she works to advance racial and gender equity and justice for generations yet to be born . Joanne resides in Brooklyn , NY .