WAWC Highlights Black Maternal Health Week Guests

Black Maternal Health Week is putting a spotlight on a critical issue impacting families across West Alabama, with local leaders using their voices to educate, empower, and push for better outcomes.

The awareness week focuses on ongoing disparities in maternal health, particularly for Black women and babies, who continue to face higher rates of complications and mortality nationwide.

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West Alabama Women’s Center is helping lead that conversation locally, highlighting experts and advocates throughout the week on 105.1 The Block from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m.

The lineup includes Dr. Stephanie Mitchell, founder of Birth Sanctuary and midwife, on Monday, April 13. On Tuesday, April 14, author Crystina Huges will join the conversation, followed by Shante Wolfe, policy director for WAWC Healthcare, on Wednesday, April 15. The week wraps Thursday, April 16 with Jamilah Channel, a maternal educator with the Alabama Life Research Institute.

According to Jamilah Channel, the importance of this week goes beyond awareness and speaks directly to the health of the entire community.

“The health of women and children is a reflection of the health of our community as a whole,” Channel said. “When we prioritize Black Maternal Health Week, especially with Black women and babies having higher mortality and morbidity rates, once we take care of this population, we can ensure that the rest of our community is thriving.”

Channel added the goal is to make West Alabama a model for progress in healthcare across the state.