Wake County, Black Pearls Society and Wake AHEC partner to address disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes within the Black community
African Americans have the highest infant mortality rate of any racial or ethnic group in the United States—a stark reminder of the urgent need for systemic change. On Thursday, Aug. 14, The Black Pearls Society, Wake County Government and Wake Area Health Education Center will host the 3rd Annual Black Maternal & Infant Health Conference, bringing together health professionals, advocates and community leaders from across North Carolina to tackle these disparities and improve outcomes.
The one-day educational event will run from 8 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the McKimmon Conference & Training Center at NC State
“The number of infant and adult lives lost is a clear calling for an urgent response." said Wake County Commissioner Safiyah Jackson. “We can’t continue to ask Black mothers to be resilient without addressing the root causes that make resilience necessary. This conference is about reimagining how we support the birthing experience and the first year of life—through policy, practice and the power of community."
This year’s theme, Healing the Water: Transforming Systems for Black Maternal & Infant Health, calls attention to the systems and structures that influence birth experiences and outcomes. Rather than placing the burden of change on individuals, the event focuses on creating collective strategies to improve the environment in which Black birthing people can receive care.
Participants will engage in an evidence-based exchange of ideas, lessons learned and best practices across disciplines. From intra-professional collaborations to community-led initiatives, the conference will showcase the power of partnerships in advancing culturally responsive and equitable care. Sessions will cover topics including antiracist clinical practices, community-based doula support, perinatal mental health and policy changes.
“We are doing a better job as a society to talk the talk of understanding the impact of systems and structures, but even as we say those words, we aren’t always keeping our analysis or our solutions at the systems and structures levels,” said conference co-chair Dr. Stephanie Baker, member of the Black Pearls Society, Inc. and Associate Professor of Public Health at Elon University. “We hope to move more people towards analyzing and fixing systems instead of a hyperfocus on individuals.”
The conference registration fee is $50 and includes access to all sessions, a continental breakfast, lunch, conference materials and parking. Continuing education credits will be available through Wake AHEC.
Black Maternal and Infant Health Conference
Now in its third year, the Black Maternal & Infant Health Conference continues to grow as a space for learning, connection and progress across the state.
The conference began as an initiative of the Black Pearls Society, Inc. to bring attention to the persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. The first conference was held in Guilford County and featured a viewing of the AfterShock Documentary that featured the story of Shamony Gibson’s tragic death after birthing her baby. Last year’s event was held in Durham County and featured the Dads for Doulas organization, bringing the important role of fathers into the conversation.
This year’s conference will focus intently on systems and structures that create an environment susceptible to racial inequities.
To learn more and register for the event, visit wake.gov/BMIH.
Sponsor the Conference
Sponsorship opportunities are available for organizations and businesses looking to support this critical work. Sponsorships help cover the cost of conference scholarships, event logistics, and expanded access for community-based participants. Sponsors will be recognized in conference materials and during the event.
Those interested can learn more here.
