Black Mothers are Driving Change in Maternal & Infant Health
The By Mothers project is an innovative initiative aimed at tackling maternal and infant health disparities in Forsyth County by prioritizing the experiences and voices of Black mothers. Spearheaded by Action4Equity in collaboration with Atrium Health, this project empowers Black mothers from the community to become trained active researchers.
Utilizing a community-based data collection approach that includes surveys and focus group discussions, the project gathers valuable insights into the lived experiences, needs, and concerns of expecting and postpartum Black mothers. These insights are essential for understanding the systemic barriers that Black mothers encounter in accessing equitable and respectful care.
This initiative goes beyond improving health outcomes—it’s about advocating for and supporting Black mothers at every stage of pregnancy and postpartum. The mission is to ensure that every mother and baby, regardless of race, has the right to live and thrive.
This work is made possible through funding form Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.
Urgency in Numbers:
Maternal and Infant Mortality
The By Mothers project is driven by the urgent need to address persistent racial disparities in maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. Black mothers experience higher rates of complications and poorer outcomes due to systemic barriers and inequities in care. By leading this work, Black mothers are uniquely positioned to identify these challenges and advocate for solutions. It’s going to take all of us working together to create lasting change, ensuring that every Black mother receives the respectful, equitable care she deserves, from pregnancy through postpartum.
Meet the
Research Team
Front row: Magdalena Zarate, Michelle Carmichael, Shantae Graham, Shaadia Moore, Tiara Morris, Kayla Kizzie, Terrae McMiller, Dr. Katherine Poehling
Back row: Dr. April Miller, Alexandria Blair, Sharlee Hainesworth
The By Mothers project is a collaborative effort between community-based Black mother researchers and Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health. Atrium’s doctors bring critical medical expertise and a commitment to improving maternal care, while the Black mother researchers offer invaluable firsthand insights into the challenges and disparities faced during pregnancy and postpartum. Together, they are leading a data-driven approach to identifying systemic barriers, advocating for policy changes, and transforming how Black mothers are treated in Forsyth County. This partnership ensures that the voices of those most affected by these inequities are central to the solutions being developed.