Charles Johnson IV’s wife, Kira, and son, Langston (Photo courtesy of 4Kira4Moms)
“At the time that we walked into Cedar Sinai hospital for Langston’s birth, the idea that my wife Kira would not walk out of that hospital to raise our boys never crossed my mind.” The untimely and preventable death of Charles’ wife, Kira, led him to commit his life not only bring awareness to the Black Maternal Health Crisis but also to fight for real change.
Black Love is aligning with the Black Mamas Matter Alliance in highlighting Black Maternal Health Week in its third year by sharing a short documentary to capture the essence of the concerns expecting Black families have in America while also offering resources and tips for parents to take back some power. The Black Maternal Health Week theme of 2020 is Centering Black Mamas: The Right to Live and Thrive.
“Centering Black Mamas does not mean ignoring the facts of a dire reality. Instead, Centering Black Mamas, is an opportunity to strategize around how to meaningfully shift the numbers by considering solutions—without fear, blame, or shame. Centering Black Mamas is also an opportunity to recognize the strengths of Black Mamas—their motherhood, scholarship, leadership, and research—and seek to further empower them in all facets of their lives.”
– Black Mamas Matter Alliance
Black Love asked Charles Johnson IV, founder of 4Kira4Moms and a father of two, healthcare professionals including a doula/student-midwife and an OBGYN, and a few mamas to share their stories so we could offer their experiences in order to highlight the crisis and provide ways for all of us to take action to improve our maternal health outcomes.
WATCH NOW
To take action on Black maternal mortality, visit BlackMamasMatterAlliance.org and 4kira4moms.com.
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