Meet Black Mamas Community Collective: Introducing AIGA Austin’s 2019 Changemaker Series Change Organizations
The AIGA Austin Changemaker Series is excited to announce its 2019 Changemaker Organizations: Black Mamas Community Collective, Pregnancy & Postpartum Health Alliance of Texas, and Giving Austin Labor Support (GALS).
With the second ATX Changemaker Series challenge focusing on “How we might ensure all mothers have access to quality, equitable support and healthcare before, during and after childbirth,” we set out to partner with these inspiring nonprofits and change organizations that serve women in all stages of their maternal health journey.
Before the Change Organizations join us at our Weekend Workshop for the official kick-off to their three-month projects on June 8th, we wanted to get to know them a bit more.
Black Mamas Community Collective
Our mission is to keep black women from dying before, during, and after childbirth in each of Austin’s five counties. We are still in our organization’s developmental stage, and have 35 active members of the BMCC Leadership Team executing the mission and governance of the work. Additionally, we have three Sister Doulas, two Community Organizers, a Principal Investigator, four Neighborhood Ambassadors, one Lead Trainer, one Lead Awareness Campaign Expert, and four BMCC Strategic Plan and Action subcommittees with 6–10 members per subcommittee.
We have 15 mamas who attend the Sister Circles and 14 mamas who have received the Sister Home Visiting Supports.
Q&A with Black Mamas Community Collective
Can you tell us about the work you do with/in the maternal healthcare space?
We unpack the systematic, groundwater analysis of institutional racism in our healthcare system. We are implementing protocols and established training for providers that will help make them aware of systemic racism, and give them the tools they need to treat Black women effectively and ensure healthy pregnancies, births, and motherhood for Black families. We want to transform systems, engage the community in advocacy and policy related to maternal healthcare, and shift the narrative for Black women in this space.
We also offer Afrocentric home visits for Black mothers, Sister Support Groups, Daddy/Partner Doulas, and health care services navigation to connect Black mothers with the services they need to take care of themselves and their families during this vital point in their lives.
Who benefits from the services that your organization offers?
Black mothers are the main recipient of the services we provide, but we are also working closely with healthcare professionals and our Sister Doulas, who are playing an important role in the economic development of our community. We are also providing services to mamas in the Rosewood Housing Development community.
What projects are you currently working on? What’s in store for 2019–2020?
BMCC Strategic Plan, Hiring Ustawi Director, Securing Space, Expanding Funding Portfolio, Execute 18 month second funding phase July 1, 2019-December, 31, 2020, Secure $120,000 funding from Central Health and Execute, Offer additional professional development opportunities, Co-Sponsor Playing of Documentary Chocolate Milk with Milkbank, Switch Sister Circle location to Carver Museum starting July since it has more activities for children, tabling, Execute the Community Power Analysis, Focus Groups: Sister Circle Participants, BMCC Leadership Team, Strategic Subcommittees, Series of Manuscripts, Tabling Opportunities, Training with Seton, potentially the University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing, Hire Daddy Doula, Significant Fundraisers, Awareness Campaign specifically focused on the Black Community
Right now, what’s the biggest hurdle in the way of your mission? Sustainable funding, space, getting buy-in from hospitals and higher education training programs. What are your biggest frustrations?
We are working to shift the existing perception of what we do (programming or services) to what BMCC is as a social movement.
What do you wish the public knew about your work, your cause or about the people you serve?
Black women believe — as is supported by research — that institutional racism is a contributor to maternal health disparities regardless of income, education or marital status.
How does your organization work to overcome the many myths and misconceptions that exist about maternal health?
Using data and indicating those who enter the healthcare professions are there to help not hurt, however, it is critical to examine the institutional responses both in terms of policies and practices to Black mothers as the necessary focus to interrupt maternal health disparities. We need to stop the narrative there is something wrong with Black mothers.
Have you worked with designers before?
Yes, Adisa Communications is a core member of the BMCC Leadership Team spearheading our awareness campaign.
What’s your organization’s problem-solving process like?
Collective brainstorming or the PI goes to the individuals on the BMCC Leadership Team who can provide the best insight into the solutions.
How much room for creativity and out-of-the-box thinking exists in decision making?
There is a high to moderate range of creativity and out-of-the-box thinking depending on the issue and what box we are talking about.
Have you incorporated any design thinking methods into your organization’s workflow?
No, not that we know of at this time.
If only one thing was to come out of the 2019 Changemaker Series experience for the benefit of your organization, what would you want that to be?
It would be helpful to be able to tell our story in a synergistic manner as opposed to a linear fashion. How can we measure and document our overall impact in a manner that elevates what BMCC is accomplishing that leads to sustainable funding and opportunities to replicate? We’d also like to earn additional buy-in from healthcare professionals and institutions as well as higher education programs that train doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.
To learn more and connect with Black Mamas Community Collective:
Have more questions about the AIGA Austin Changemaker Series?
Email us at changemaker@austin.aiga.org. Following @AIGAAustin on social media or join our Changemaker Series email list to stay in the loop.
