Again this year, the Kansas Birth Equity Network (KBEN) is sponsoring an informative session in support of National Black Maternal Health Week, to offer information and solutions that improve Black maternal, paternal, and infant health in Kansas.
This year, a male-focused training in Kansas City, MO joins in with a similar goal. Fathers Assisting Mothers Inc. (FAM), a nonprofit organization, is also addressing the racial disparity in maternal mortality rates with its Dad Doula Bootcamp.
KBEN Event
This year, KBEN’s Black Maternal Health Week event will focus on Black Mental Health with the birthing and parenting experience and it will be held on Sat., April 13, from 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Kansas City Kansas Community College Technical Education Center, 6565 State Ave., Kansas City, KS.
The event is free, lunch will be provided, and participants will have the opportunity to connect with Black Owned Businesses and other community resources. Childcare is also available for free, so parents are encouraged to bring their children along.
The keynote speaker is Dr. Traci Johnson, and OBGYN & Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, who also serves as chair of Missouri’s Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board. Other panelists include. Rashaan Gilmore, Ithar Hassaballa, Todd Moore, Hakima Tafunzi Payne and Marchai Hudston.
To register, go to https://tinyurl.com/KBENEvents
For more information, see the ad on page 24 of this issue.
Daddy Doula Bootcamp
Fathers Assisting Mothers Inc. (FAM), a nonprofit organization, is also addressing the racial disparity in maternal mortality rates with its Dad Doula Bootcamp.
FAM is dedicated to preparing expectant fathers for one of life’s most significant journeys. Through education, support, and advocacy, the organization empowers dads-to-be to become informed, confident, and active participants in the childbirth experience.
James Hogue, the organization’s CEO and co-founder, founded FAM after his wife experienced complications while pregnant with their son. He is now a certified doula. When he learned the maternal mortality rate for Black and Brown women is 2.6 times the rate for White women, he decided to proactively address this issue with a focus on educating partners of Black and Brown women.
The transformative, four-week Dad Doula Bootcamp, exclusively for expectant fathers, will educate and empower expectant fathers to support and advocate for their partners during pregnancy, labor and delivery and early postpartum and to become a confident caregiver for their newborn.
The camp begins Sat., April 20 and runs four Saturdays in a row through May 11. Sessions are from noon to 2:30 p.m. at Blakk Co, 1108 E. 30th Street, Suite BB KCMO.
To register, go to https://www.thatsmyfam.org/programs.
