Who We Are
Our Vision
We envision a society where Black, Indigenous, and People of color, receive quality perinatal, maternal, and postpartum care with the ability to maintain financial stability. To do this we will train doulas to serve and educate and empower communities around maternal healthcare and create economic development opportunities and support to decrease poverty within their communities after childbirth.
Due to the lack of representation in birth work, MAAME advocates for People of color to reclaim their birth practices as leaders and healers within their community by following the footsteps of their ancestors who were forced out of the midwifery field due to institutional medical racism. Now we can begin the work of our vision!
In order to do this, we will address the Black maternal health crisis through the lens of dismantling systematic oppression, which centers the needs and voices of the community.
Why We Exist/The Need
We focus on filling the gap of services that exist for marginalized communities who are in between poverty and financial stability.
We bridge the gap for people who are not eligible to receive public services and support, and not able to afford these resources privately.
Black women’s heightened risk of pregnancy-related death spans income and education levels.-lack Mamas Matter Alliance & Center for Reproductive Rights. (2016). Research Overview of Maternal Mortality and Morbidity in the United States.
Core Impact Areas
Maternal Health Support
Holistic Health & Wellness
Sustainable Communities
Economic Development & Policy
Change Theory
By providing equitable access to resources, funding, and support of BIPOC people having agency over their lives, will improve the social determinants of health within their community.
Things to consider:
- The US has poor maternal health outcomes given the number of resources and technology in the country
- *Since the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System was implemented, the number of reported pregnancy-related deaths in the United States steadily increased from 7.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 17.2 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2015
- Black women have the poorest maternal health outcomes. The CDC reports that “42.8 deaths per 100,000 live births for black non-Hispanic women.”
- 1 and 5 women of reproductive age in North Carolina is uninsured
- Cost is a major barrier for many women despite the health risks of forgoing care. Nearly 40 percent of mothers nationally report that they delayed prenatal care because they lacked the money or insurance to cover their costs
- Public health assistance has strict and narrow eligibility requirements
- Quality private health services are costly not only for low-income women mothers of color but also for middle- income women in the growing US
- So many women exist in the gap between eligibility and affordability
- We will provide education (as a means of empowerment), support, doula services and opportunities for economic advancement
- Services, support, and economic stability will decrease infant and mother mortality rates while increasing overall physical and mental health through evidence based holistic methods
What We Do
Our Mission
MAAME (Mobilizing African American Mothers through Empowerment) will empower Black, Indigenous, and other Birthing People of color to navigate systems and mobilize to offer resources, services, and support for holistic maternal health, wellness, sustainable communities, and economic advancement.
Details
| (919) 908-3227 | |
| MAYA@MAAMEINC.ORG | |
| Maya Jackson | |
| Operations Coordinator | |
| https://maameinc.org/ |
