Letters to Black Mamas
Letters to Black Mamas comprises written letters and a video series that expresses gratitude to Black mothers for their unwavering support, courage, and patience. Our goal is to capture diverse motherhood experiences and inspire those who may be undergoing similar journeys. We understand that every mother has a unique story, but we want them to know that they are seen and their experiences are equally valid.
This Mother’s Day campaign incorporates real and raw feelings that do not reflect poorly on our mothers or mother figures but instead show the commonalities and shared journeys between Black moms. We hope that you will read, listen, and share this series with your networks.
Lasting Legacies: Reflections on Black Fatherhood – Episode I
In Episode I, we invited six fathers to share in an intimate conversation exploring the joys, vulnerabilities, and multigenerational experiences of Black fatherhood. They discussed their relationships with their fathers/father figures, the joys and challenges of fatherhood, things they have learned along the way, and much more!
Front Row: Michael Barnette, Howard Douglas, Panama Jackson
Back Row: Jonathan Webb, Kenny Blakeney, Robert Oates
Lasting Legacies: Reflections on Black Fatherhood – Episode II
In Episode II, we invited six fathers to have a raw and honest conversation on fatherhood. The conversation includes how one’s relationship, or lack thereof, with their father or father figure impacted their approach to fatherhood, their experience finding out their partner was pregnant, how parenting has been a healing experience for them, and more!
From left to right: David Abraham, Jarrick Browner, Kier Gaines, Elijah Harris, Shawn Caesar, and Isaiah Davis
Housing Is Maternal Health
Our “Housing is Maternal Health” campaign highlighted the critical need for Black women and their families to have access to safe, affordable, and dignified housing. As part of our initiative, we hosted a panel discussion with community members in the District, documented the experiences of three women facing homelessness during pregnancy, and developed a framework tool. Find more details below.
Housing Justice Panel Discussion
For three years, supported by Merck for Mothers Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative, Mamatoto Village focused our advocacy efforts on housing justice at the intersection of maternal health. We know that safe, affordable, and dignified housing is a holistic solution to improving the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
Housing Is Maternal Health Booklet
This tool was created to visualize the challenges faced by pregnant and parenting people navigating homelessness and housing insecurities. Follow along with three representative pregnant and postpartum parents. Learn about the “Cascading Causes and Consequences of Housing Injustice” and see the barriers faced as they travel along “The Journey to Dignified Housing While Pregnant and Parenting.” Our “Housing Justice Framework” gives five clear ways jurisdictions can ensure safe and dignified housing for pregnant and parenting people.
Housing IS Maternal Health Docu-Series
We had the privilege of supporting, interviewing, and advocating for three brave mothers who shared their journeys navigating homelessness and uninhabitable living conditions during pregnancy in the District.
Meet Gabriella Crumpton
Gabriella, a courageous mother of six, shared her journey navigating housing insecurity during pregnancy and postpartum.
Meet Rasha Richardson
Rasha, a resilient first-time mother who eagerly anticipated the joys of motherhood. Despite facing homelessness and uninhabitable living conditions, she remained determined to secure a safe and nurturing environment for herself and her child.
Meet Simone Banks-Mackey
Simone, a first-time mother, persevered through the suffocating stress of housing insecurity and the negative impact on her physical and mental well-being.
Housing Justice Report
For the past three years, supported by Merck for Mothers Safer Childbirth Cities Initiative, Mamatoto Village focused our advocacy efforts on housing justice at the intersection of maternal health. We know that safe, affordable, and dignified housing is a holistic solution to improving the health and well-being of mothers and babies.
W
e are excited to release our report, Housing Justice is Reproductive Justice, written in collaboration with Georgetown University Health Justice Alliance.This needs assessment report documents the intersection between housing insecurity and maternal mortality in Washington, DC and is part of Mamatoto Village’s multi-tiered initiative to advance housing and reproductive justice and advocate for justice-centered housing policies that prioritize Black women.
