RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CA — Black moms and moms-to-are invited to attend the Celebration of Black Motherhood, a free community baby shower focused on building support, educating families on maternal health, and honoring the unique experiences of Black mothers. Hosted by Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP) in partnership with the African Primary Healthcare Foundation, the event aims to empower attendees through connection and knowledge.
The celebration will take place on Saturday, August 16, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the IEHP Center for Learning and Innovation, located at 9500 Cleveland Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730. Expectant and new mothers, along with their partners, are encouraged to register and participate.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Black women are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. In 2022, the maternal mortality rate for Black women stood at 49.5 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared to 19.0 for white women, 16.9 for Hispanic women, and 13.2 for Asian women. Even more alarming, the CDC reports that more than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths in the U.S. are preventable.
“Having a baby in America, no matter your race, can be a scary and unpredictable experience. Tack on being Black and it’s even worse,” said Kanita Bourne, IEHP Manager of Social and Community Services. “With this celebration of Black motherhood, we want Black mothers to leave educated, supported and—most importantly—recognized and celebrated.”
Attendees can expect a range of enriching experiences, including a panel discussion led by maternity health experts:
- Dr. Ukachi Emeruwa, board-certified perinatologist and panel moderator
- Chantel Runnels, a Southern California-based doula and mother of four
- Dr. Toluwalase Ajayi, pediatric and palliative care specialist and mother of three
In addition to the expert panel, the event will feature giveaways and a mini red carpet maternity photo shoot to highlight and honor attendees.
Media are invited to cover the event and will have the opportunity to speak with mothers, panelists, and IEHP leadership. Interviews with panelists and Kanita Bourne will be available before, during, and after the event.
For more information or to register, visit iehp.org.
