Recognizing Black Maternal Health Week: Elevating Voices, Data, and Solutions in Ohio
- Apr 23
- 3 min read
Last week during 2026 Black Maternal Health Week, Groundwork Ohio joined partners across the state to elevate awareness, share data, and center the voices and experiences of families most impacted by racial disparities in maternal health.
This week serves as an important reminder: improving maternal health outcomes requires both data-driven policy solutions and sustained investment in communities.
At the Statehouse: Advancing the Conversation
Groundwork Ohio was honored to participate in the 2nd Annual Black Maternal Health Summit at the Ohio Statehouse. Groundwork Ohio Senior Director of Policy Caitlin Feasby Feldman joined bi3 Director of Community Partnerships Jena’ Bradley to share insights from Groundwork Ohio and March of Dimes. They highlighted key data on maternal health outcomes across Ohio, preterm birth rates, and the growing impact of maternity care deserts.
We are grateful to Senator Catherine Ingram (D-Cincinnati) and Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo), for co-chairing the Black Maternal Health Caucus and co-leading this event bringing together stakeholders committed to advancing equitable maternal health outcomes.
Grounding the Work in Data
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth’s (DCY) latest Report on Pregnancy-Related Deaths in Ohio show that Non-Hispanic Black moms in Ohio experienced a pregnancy-related mortality ratio 34% higher than Ohio moms overall (39.4 vs. 29.3 deaths per 100,000 live births). These findings underscore both the urgency and the opportunity for action, and align with insights from Groundwork Ohio’s Threads of Hope report, which pairs data with lived experiences from families across the state. These resources reinforce a clear message: improving outcomes requires coordinated, cross-system solutions that meet families where they are.
Black mothers in Ohio continue to face disproportionately higher risks of poor outcomes, underscoring the importance of targeted strategies that address both clinical care and the broader societal conditions that impact health.
Continuing the Conversation: The Morning Meeting
Throughout Black Maternal Health Week—and in the months leading up to it—Groundwork Ohio has kept these conversations front and center through our weekly Morning Meeting series.
Recent conversations have featured:
April 23: Director Danielle Tong of CelebrateOne, discussing efforts to reduce infant and maternal mortality in Central Ohio through data-driven, community-centered approaches.
April 16: Cass Woodward of Perinatal Outreach & Encourage for Moms (POEM), sharing community-based strategies to support mothers and families
February 5: Dr. Jennifer Frey of Every Child Succeeds, highlighting how home visiting programs meet families where they are and support early intervention
February 12: Bianca Holder of March of Dimes, sharing 2025 Report Card data on maternal and infant health—including Ohio’s D+ grade for preterm birth, underscoring persistent challenges.
Preterm birth remains a leading contributor to infant death and long-term complications, reinforcing the need for earlier, more coordinated care. Bianca also authored Protecting Moms Before Crisis: Prevention, Equity, and Innovation in Columbus and Southeast Ohio, which highlights how communities are advancing proactive, family-centered solutions
These conversations signal where action is most needed: prioritizing prevention and early intervention, expanding equitable access to quality care, and investing in community-driven solutions. They demonstrate the need of cross-sector collaboration and targeted investments to reduce disparities and improve outcomes for Ohio’s mothers and babies most at risk.
Supporting Awareness Through Partnership
Groundwork Ohio supported partners statewide through a Black Maternal Health Week Toolkit, providing ready-to-use social media content centered on data and the voices of Black mothers. Equipping partners to amplify shared messages expands awareness of Black Maternal Health Week, racial disparities in maternal mortality, and the need for continued attention and action.
Looking Ahead
Black Maternal Health Week is a moment to reflect—but it is also a call to action.
The data points to a need for action before a crisis occurs—through stronger care coordination, expanded access to services, and systems that better support mothers throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period. Through continued collaboration, data-driven advocacy, and lifting family voices, we can help build a system that works for everyone.
Groundwork Ohio remains committed to advancing policies and partnerships that support healthy pregnancies, strong families, and better outcomes for all mothers and babies in Ohio—while intentionally working to reduce and ultimately eliminate the racial disparities that lead to disproportionately poor outcomes for Black women. Families need a strong start from the very earliest phases of life, supported by a multi-generational approach that strengthens caregivers, families, and communities.
