Throughout the week of April 11-17, the Partnership is hosting, partnering with, or participating in several events in honor of Black Maternal Health Week.
These events, including baby showers, workshops, awareness walks, and more, spotlight community health actions that address Black maternal health disparities and the ongoing effort to close those gaps. They are also celebratory gatherings rooted in support, community, and connection.
“A party with a purpose,” said Nina Guercio, one of the Strong Starts Community Baby Shower organizers, in a News 12 New Jersey article covering the event.
Strong Starts Community Baby Shower
For the fourth year in a row, we kicked off Black Maternal Health Week by partnering with the Montclair Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for their annual Strong Starts Community Baby Shower. Nearly 100 new and expectant moms attended the joyous celebration in Newark last weekend. The event included refreshments, games, gift bags, connections to local resources, educational speeches and panel discussions, health screenings, and more.
Community health advocates and leaders shared powerful insights on maternal health with guests. Our keynote speaker was Aarin Williams, Esq. Other leaders included Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, Newark City Councilperson Rev. Louise Scott-Rountree, Linda Sloan Locke, BSN, MPH, LSW, FACNM, Partnership President & CEO Mariekarl Vilceus-Talty, MA, BSN, and Partnership Perinatal Mental Health Specialist Marialuisa Solis, BA, PMH-C.
Williams delivered a passionate and informative speech on health equity, reproductive justice, and workplace protections under New Jersey law, highlighting disparities that impact Black maternal health in the state. She emphasized the necessity for pregnant people to understand their workplace rights so they can advocate for themselves, noting that stress, unsafe working conditions, or injustices at work can directly affect outcomes in the delivery room and healthcare settings.
“It’s a celebration, but it’s also about awareness,” said Vilceus-Talty in a News 12 New Jersey article by Jennifer Portorreal. “The data is clear that there is a huge disparity when it comes to mortality and morbidity within the African American community.”
Insights from Guercio, Vilceus-Talty, Williams, and other community leaders complemented this year’s Black Maternal Health Week theme: Rooted in Justice and Joy.
Black Maternal Health Week 2026: Rooted in Justice and Joy
As explained by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance, a network of Black women-led and Black-led birth and reproductive justice organizations, and the founders of Black Maternal Health Week:
“Rooted in Justice and Joy affirms that equity and celebration are both essential to Black maternal health. Justice calls for accountability, systems change, and respect for Black birthing experiences, while joy centers rest, healing, cultural affirmation, and the right to thrive.”
The Strong Starts Baby Shower combined justice and joy. Guests enjoyed a wonderful party celebrating motherhood. The inclusive event provided a translator for Creole-speaking guests and was open to all expectant and new mothers. Additionally, each attendee received a bag of diapers, wipes, and baby gifts, thanks to the Deltas’ generosity and their organization of community support and donations. Guests were also empowered with reproductive justice information and connected to helpful services, including maternal home visits, doulas, lead testing, vaccine education, health screenings, and more, provided by the Partnership and other participating organizations.
We are grateful to the Montclair Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta for coordinating this fantastic event and to all participating organizations that provided vital resources. Thank you for partnering with us to celebrate so many new and expecting moms in our community in honor of Black Maternal Health Week.
We invite you and your families to join us at these upcoming events. All events listed below are open to the public, and everyone interested in supporting or learning about Black maternal health is welcome to attend.
Upcoming Black Maternal Health Week Events
Annual Community Baby Shower, Irvington Township
April 16
Valley Hospital 2nd Annual Community Baby Shower, Valley Hospital
April 18
UPO Annual Community Baby Shower, United Passaic Organization
April 19
Black Maternal Health Awareness Walk, Healthy Coalition of Passaic County
Strong Starts Community Baby Shower Gallery
