The National Association to Advance Black Birth

The National Association to Advance Black Birth (NAABB) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to combat the effects of structural racism on maternal and infant health. 

NAABB is an organization led by Black birth workers and community organizers. One of the ways that we are combatting structural racism is by working towards the transformation and diversification of the midwifery workforce. Black midwives have been providing essential family and community care for hundreds of years. In the 1900s, as births shifted from the community and into hospitals, Black midwives were systematically targeted and almost completely eradicated. 

And yet, Black midwifery lives. Contemporary Black midwives continue the critical legacy of community care. They are developing innovative models of care, providing culturally-sensitive care, and working towards birth justice. At NAABB we believe that every Black birthing person has the right to a provider that looks like them. We NEED more Black midwives. 

Black midwives are still a small minority of the total midwifery workforce. Financial barriers, fueled by structural racism, have kept the number of Black midwives low. In response to this need, in 2020, NAABB launched its inaugural Black midwifery student scholarship. Over the past two years, we have provided over $10,000 in scholarships for Black midwifery students and we want to continue this important work in 2022. We are raising funds to support our 2022 Black Midwifery Student Scholarships. 

Your gift to NAABB today is more than just a gift to one nonprofit organization. It's a gift to future Black midwives committed to serving their communities, building power, and striving towards justice.

Thank you!