Support Black Midwives Today

Despite this long and powerful history, as of 2014, only 2% of the 15,000 midwives in the United States are Black. There are considerable barriers to entering into midwifery for Black future midwives, as well as challenges creating sustainable practices.

The path to midwifery costs money — for tuition, books, and to cover living costs during unpaid training periods — meanwhile, the wealth gap for Black and white communities in the U.S. remains wide. Future Black midwives often need to fundraise thousands of dollars to support their education. Established Black midwives also frequently fundraise substantially to support opening birth centers and nonprofit work. Look for ways you can — regularly, monthly — financially support the Black midwives in your community, and if you can't find anyone nearby, take your search online.

Legislation has been used over the years to discredit and disenfranchise Black midwifery and it can be used again today to support and uplift it — if we engage. Listen and act alongside your local Black midwives when they share about a policy they endorse. Take a look at legislative efforts currently highlighted by the National Black Midwives Alliance via this link.

Allyship is a journey. Authentic allyship is characterized by a dedication to learning, sitting with discomfort, continual self-reflection, and acknowledging and holding oneself (and others in the community) accountable for structural and interpersonal realities of racism. Authentic allyship bears fruit. Allies examine their privileges and leverage their resources to fill the gaps created by generations of inequity. Not because of shame or guilt, but for justice.

Despite a history of injustice and the challenges that continue into today, Black midwives are here! Explore this list of Black Midwife Crushes from the Black Midwives Alliance, learn about Jennie Joseph and her incredibly successful "JJ Way" model of care, and follow and listen to many more Black midwives online (the #Blackmidwife tag on IG is a good place to start).