Indiana ranks the 3rd from the worst state when it comes to maternal mortality. While 41 white women in our state die from childbirth related causes per 100k, black women die at a rate of 53 per 100k. A multitude of reasons factor into all of these preventable deaths, however when it comes to systemic racism in our healthcare systems, it is black families that suffer unfairly.

For Indiana babies, statistics also how that we have some of the worst outcomes. While rates of infant mortality have fallen to their lowest ever numbers in 2019, seeing 6.5 babies per 1000 die, those rates are still higher for black babies at 11 per 1000.

This page exists for black families in our community. It is a ‘living’ page in that resources will be posted as they are created and discovered by CCD (or suggested from the black community) so it will grow. Should you have a resources you would like to see here, please contact Tamrha directly with information and available links.

Birth and breastfeeding resources

Protecting Your Birth: A Guide for Black Mothers - How racism can impact your pre- and postnatal care — and advice for speaking to your Ob-Gyn about it. A NY Times written by Erica Chidi and Erica P. Cahill, M.D.

Indiana Black Breastfeeding Coalition - Facebook page and Website

Indiana Minority Health Coalition - Heath Advocates (link to Facebook page until website is back up)

Birthing Justice: Black Women, Pregnancy and Childbirth edited by Julia Chinyere Oparah and Alicia D. Bonaparte

"At last, a book that places the experiences of Black women at the center of the debates about childbirth. Mixing activist, scholarly and personal perspectives, this book reclaims the history of black women as active agents in their birthing experiences, and deftly critiques the unwanted and questionable interventions that women throughout the diaspora have been subjected to, while inspiring readers to push for social change."

Sista Midwife Productions - “Our Mission is to improve pregnancy and birth experiences and to eliminate perinatal disparities by increasing the number of black birth workers, teaching families about their rights and options; and creating transparency and accountability within childbirth education and the medical obstetrical system.” Black Doula Listings, trainings and classes available.

Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) - “Black Mamas Matter Alliance is a Black women-led cross-sectoral alliance. We center Black mamas to advocate, drive research, build power, and shift culture for Black maternal health, rights, and justice.”

Click the button below for Black Doulas in the Indy area!

If you are a Black Doula and would like to be listed, drop me a line.

Preventing Infant Mortality

MCH MOMS HelpLine - 1-844-MCH-MOMS

“The MOMS Helpline goal is to help reduce Indiana’s infant mortality rate; and our dedicated specialists are here to provide valuable information and referrals, educate and advocate on behalf of moms and pregnant women. The MOMS Helpline is an important resource for ensuring that every Indiana mom and baby is healthy and happy.”

resourcescFor Fathers

Fathers and Families Center - To build a noble legacy of fatherhood – assisting fathers in achieving self-sufficiency and in strengthening families to improve the life chances of children.

Fathers’ Uplift is a one-of-a-kind organization that provides fathers with the tools they need to overcome trauma, addiction, racial barriers, and emotional issues to help them fully engage with their children and families. Fathers’ Uplift provides therapy, coaching, training opportunities, and youth enrichment with the aim of reducing the number of children raised without positive father figures in their lives. It is the only organization in the United States that offers therapy, counseling, and addiction support specifically geared toward fathers and their families with the aim of reuniting families and providing them with the framework to thrive.

The National Fatherhood Initiative is the country’s largest provider of research on the involvement of fathers and the impact fathers have on families. It provides communities with resources and trainings to increase father engagement with the goal of ensuring that communities and human service organizations have the tools and training they need to be father-inclusive so fathers can be more involved in the lives of their children.

The Dad Gang - Dads on a mission to change the way the world views Black fatherhood.

The Center for Family Policy and Practice is a nonprofit organization that advocates for more fair and equitable laws and policies that affect low-income families and fathers. Focusing on child support, family safety and security, and financial and economic security, the CFPP acts as a think tank to develop solutions to barriers experienced by low-income fathers and fathers of color.