Celebrating Black Maternal Health Advocates: Empowering Change and Saving Lives
Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This isn’t just a public health crisis—it’s a matter of justice.
By Margot D. Taylor
Black women are fighting for their lives when it comes to maternal health. While pregnancy and childbirth should be a time of joy, they too often come with heightened risks for Black mothers. The reality is stark: Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than white women. This isn’t just a public health crisis—it’s a matter of justice.
Yet, Black women are more than statistics. Across the country, they are stepping up as advocates, leaders, and changemakers, fighting to improve maternal health outcomes for themselves, their daughters, their sisters, and their communities. Black maternal health advocates are working tirelessly to ensure that every Black mother has access to quality health care, safe childbirth experiences, and the support needed to thrive. Their work is saving lives, and it’s time to shine a light on their efforts.
The Impact of Black Maternal Health Advocates
In 2020, the Black Health Initiative (BHI) was born out of a deep need recognized by Black leaders and clinical staff within the Planned Parenthood Los Angeles (PPLA) community—an acknowledgment that Black women in Los Angeles face disproportionate challenges when it comes to maternal health. Fueled by the desire to make a meaningful difference, BHI’s mission is to address these health inequities by providing culturally competent care and empowering education. Through a lens that is specifically tailored to the needs of Black communities, BHI offers high-quality health care and extends invaluable resources, all while forging powerful partnerships that amplify their efforts. The work of the BHI isn’t just about providing care—it’s about uplifting the voices of Black mothers and ensuring their health and well-being are prioritized. Through this initiative, lives are not only being saved but also transformed as part of a collective movement to foster change in the maternal health landscape.
Similarly, other organizations are leading the charge in addressing maternal health disparities through education, advocacy, and policy reform. They are committed to the well-being of Black women and girls, working to dismantle the systemic barriers that have long prevented access to quality health care. These organizations, along with countless community-based advocates, are making a real difference. Their work ensures that Black mothers are informed, supported, and empowered to demand the care they deserve.
The Power of Community-Based Action
Local and grassroots efforts have also been instrumental in shifting the tide. Community-based organizations are providing Black mothers with the tools and resources necessary to make informed decisions about their health. They are advocating for policy changes that address disparities in health care access and quality, while also offering direct support to expecting mothers.
Through partnerships with organizations and health care providers, these advocates are increasing awareness and accessibility to critical services. Their work highlights the importance of culturally responsive care—where Black mothers are not only heard but valued and respected in their health care experiences.
A Call to Action
Change is not only necessary—it’s urgent. Black mothers should not have to fight to receive the care they deserve, nor should they face preventable complications due to systemic failures in the health care system. The time to act is now.
Policymakers, health care providers, and community leaders must come together to address the disparities in Black maternal health. This means investing in Black-led organizations, ensuring health care providers are trained to recognize and combat racial biases, and enacting policies that protect and uplift Black mothers.
Moving Forward Together
Black women deserve to be seen, heard, and respected in their maternal health journey. It is crucial to continue advocating for systemic change while providing the necessary resources and education to Black mothers and families.
Organizations like Planned Parenthood Los Angeles are committed to supporting Black maternal health through education, health care services, and partnerships with local advocates. Our Black Health Initiative focuses on addressing racial disparities in reproductive health care and ensuring that Black women receive the quality care they need.
To learn more about the health services available through Planned Parenthood Los Angeles’ Black Health Initiative, visit Planned Parenthood Los Angeles – Black Health Initiative.
The fight for Black maternal health is ongoing, but together, we can ensure that Black mothers and their families receive the care, respect, and support they deserve.
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Margot D. Taylor is Vice President of Strategy and Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Los Angeles and a longtime healthcare leader since 1987. Her personal experiences with racial injustices in healthcare fuel her commitment to improving outcomes for diverse communities. Margot plays a key role in the Black Health Initiative (BHI), founded in 2020 by Black leaders and clinical staff at PPLA to address health inequities in Los Angeles’ Black communities. She leads strategic efforts to expand access to high-quality care and education through a culturally specific lens, strengthen community partnerships, and ensure Black patients receive the resources and support they need to achieve better health outcomes.
