MaternalHealth
Creating an equitable landscape for Black birthing persons
Black Girls Break Bread believes that health inequity policy solutions require the need for cross-sector systems change, to create an equitable landscape for Black birthing persons. Equally important, to ensure the re-envisioning of this landscape is comprehensive, feasible and primed for success, the perspective of the community, and those whose lives are at risk must be at the table. Black Girls Break Bread has successfully begun to bridge the gap in various sectors by engaging stakeholders and modeling collaborative efforts around maternal health, with a focus on system change.
We work toward establishing an infrastructure for collaboration and information exchange, and developing a common agenda for increased patient-centered, community-engaged Black Maternal Child Health.
Advocating for policy change
BGBB successfully advocates for IL House Bill 5013
Black Girls Break Bread co-founder Jessica Davenport-Williams spoke with WCIA 3 News upon the successful passage of IL House Bill 5013. IL HB 5013 serves to expand access to maternal healthcare services for pregnant Medicaid members in Illinois.
Effective January 1, 2023 this act protects a pregnant patient’s freedom of choice to receive pregnancy-related health care from any qualified provider—regardless of whether the provider has an active contract with her specific Medicaid health plan.
Through advocating for legislation like HB 5013, BGBB continues to work toward building an equitable landscape for Black birthing persons across the state.
BGBB has participated in task forces and committees to promote maternal health, including:
State of IL Infant and Maternal Mortality Task Force for African Americans
I-Promote IL Maternal Health Task Force (Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA))
IL Department of Public Health - OB Deserts/Closures Collaboration Group
Chicago Department of Public Health BabyKit for Newborns Project
SOS Collaborative - Black Physicians on the South Side of Chicago
Chicago Collaborative for Maternal Health - EverThrive Illinois and Alliance Chicago
Maternal and Child Health Bureau (MCH) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Consumer Group
Increasing access and ensuring safety
Increasing access to Maternal and Child Care
In 2021, Jessica Davenport-Williams co-led the development of the first-ever Maternal Child Health + Wellness federally qualified health center in Harvey, IL with Family Christian Health Center. In addition to being a part of the site development team, BGBB co-founder, Jessica Davenport-Williams, was awarded the Congresswoman Robin Kelly Award of Excellence.