Brooklyn Org Briefing: Improving Black Maternal Health In Brooklyn

Mar 14, 2025

People sitting in a room with large text "BROOKLYN ORG" and "Improving Black Maternal Health in Brooklyn" displayed over the image.

At Brooklyn Org, we develop informative and timely programming for our supporters that amplifies expert voices and brings awareness to ongoing challenges facing their neighbors across the borough. Last month, we hosted a donor briefing on improving Black maternal health in Brooklyn, convening a conversation moderated by Dr. Sophia Lubin, OB/GYN that included panelists Tia Dowling, a doula with 10 years of experience at Brooklyn Perinatal Network; Chanel Porchia-Albert, Executive Director of Ancient Song Doula Services; and Naimah Efia, Perinatal Programs Officer at Restore Forward. The discussion touched on the opportunities and challenges surrounding Black maternal health, providing insights into the local context in Brooklyn and New York City and the broader politicization of the health and well-being of Black communities in our city and nationwide. Watch the conversation above to hear more insights.

6x The rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Black mothers compared to white mothers in New York City

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3x The rate of pregnancy-related deaths among Black mothers compared to white mothers nationwide

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80% Most pregnancy-related deaths nationwide, regardless of race/ethnicity — over 80% — are likely preventable

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Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso opened the event, acknowledging that although the United States “has the best hospitals, Black women are dying at ridiculous rates.” He spoke about his work to improve pregnancy and wellness services across the borough, and also shared how he first became more aware of disparities in Black maternal health outcomes through his wife’s own experience with pregnancy and giving birth. Our President and CEO Dr. Jocelynne Rainey emphasized how improving Black maternal health aligns with Brooklyn Org’s values: “Brooklyn Org has always been committed to Brooklyn and racial justice. We are unapologetic about those two things because structural racism hurts everybody.”

Ultimately, the panel highlighted that improving Black maternal health benefits all people who give birth and society as a whole, calling for ongoing advocacy and systemic change to support Black mothers in Brooklyn and beyond.