Juneteenth is here! During this holiday we celebrate freedom, resilience, Black Joy, Black Autonomy, and Black prosperity. It is a time to “...remember the collective strength of people of the African diaspora, and finally remember the spirituality and transcendent joy that enabled us to overcome.” ~ Kelly Navies, museum specialist and oral historian. Juneteenth also provides the opportunity for education and reflection about historical and current realities of Black people in the United States.
While Juneteenth became federally recognized June 2021, the origin of the holiday can be traced back to the year 1866. In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation declaring all enslaved individuals free. However, in the midst of the American Civil War, news of slaves' freedom was halted and African Americans continued to have their freedom illegally revoked. Over two years after the proclamation, on June 19th, 1865, the Union army finally brought the news of freedom to enslaved individuals in Texas. The following year was the first Juneteenth, celebrating long awaited and overdue freedom. While we continue to celebrate this very important moment in history we know that Black Americans are still impacted by a long history of oppression and inequality.
For Black women and mothers, the health disparities and inequities are stark. Black women are three times more likely to die due to pregnancy related issues than any other race. The majority of these complications are preventable. Advocating for evidence-based systemic improvements, providing access to resources, support, and education that Black women in the Central Valley face are among BLACK Wellness & Prosperity Center’s (BWPC) key approaches toward reducing disparities.
BLACK Doula Network
Our BLACK Doula Network connects women to trained, non-clinical doulas. Evidence shows us that doula support improves Black maternal and infant health outcomes. We believe that every Black woman deserves to have a doula! If you’re interested in being a doula, apply for the next BLACK Doula cohort visit: https://www.blackwpc.org/black-doula-network
More information about the start date COMING SOON!
Black Infant Health Program
BWPC recently became an expansion site for the Black Infant Health (BIH) Program. BIH focuses on connecting new and expecting Black moms to the resources they need during and after their pregnancy. In a caring and safe environment, women are able to build sisterhood and gain resources they need to have happier and healthier pregnancies.
Interested in joining the BIH sisterhood? Visit: https://www.blackwpc.org/bih
Building Fresno’s Black Fatherhood Legacy
Black men and fathers are essential to Black maternal health. Black Fatherhood Legacy (BFL) was created by Black fathers for Black fathers to support one another through fatherhood. To learn more about Black Father Legacy: https://www.blackwpc.org/black-fatherhood-legacy
Thank you for the donor partners and individual donors who invest into our work.