Birth in Color celebrates its fifth anniversary with gala and silent auction Nov. 11

At Birth in Color, the journey from preconception, pregnancy to birth and after, or adoption should be an incredible and rewarding experience. But for women of color, the experience is oftentimes fraught with missed connections among health care providers, dismissal of their concerns and the ever-present racial disparities that permeate the maternity care system.

For the last five years, Birth in Color, a Black women-led reproductive justice organization, has worked to change the narrative. According to Kenda Sutton-EL, Founding Executive Director, it hasn’t been easy raising awareness and advocating for the health of Black Women. So many people asked why an organization was only speaking for black women, but the truth is if you change the health outcomes for black women you change them for all women. Black Women have the highest maternal and infant mortality rates.

Sequoi Phipps-Hawkins, director of communications and marketing for the organization, said, “women of color are three times more likely to die during pregnancy, childbirth or postpartum than their white counterparts in the United States. Black women also experience postpartum depression and complications during the birthing process at higher levels than non-Black women.”

“Many of these situations would not evolve into emergencies if there were more awareness and cultural sensitivity to the maternal health care inequities that do exist,” Phipps-Hawkins said. “Our team works with the health care teams and providers to raise awareness of these concerns and equip women, birthing people, and their families with the knowledge and tools they need during this most vulnerable and sacred time.”

In addition to working with health care providers, the Virginia-based nonprofit, which started out as a collective of trained community-based doulas, now advocates for policy change at the state level. Some of the policies Birth in Color has advocated for include support of the Stillbirth Tax Credit, introduction of a bill that initiates private insurance reimbursement for doula support, as well as leading the fight for Medicaid reimbursement for doula support. The organization was also part of the coalition that removed some of the worst abortion restrictions in Virginia and the effort to expand protection for pregnant workers in the state. Founder Kenda Sutton-El was also a part of the fetal and infant mortality review team in 2020. 

Birth in Color provides support services that are not only for women but also have a father’s program that include workshops, self-care, and address postpartum depression. Services also include expert birth workers and certified breastfeeding specialists for expecting women of color and offers prenatal classes and racial bias training for reproductive health care workers. Other services provided to pregnant women, their families and birthing communities include nutrition counseling, childbirth education and community support groups. Birth in Color also provides diapers and baby items for those who are in need.

In 2022, Phipps-Hawkins said the organization experienced a 100% growth in terms of the number of doulas trained, expanding the capacity to support more families. Its achievements, and the many businesses, organizations and civic leaders throughout the community who have helped propel this growth, will be celebrated at Birth in Color’s Gala and Silent Auction on Saturday, Nov. 11, in the historic Jackson Ward at the Hippodrome Theater. In addition to the auction hosted by Kelli Lemon, the event will include dancing and entertainment by DJ Lonnie B, raffles and casino games. Silent auction items include everything from gift cards for area restaurants and museums to wine-tasting classes and luxury vacations.

Gala ticket prices start at $65 and can be purchased at givebutter.com/BICGala. Auction items will be available for online bidding. All money raised from the event will benefit Birth in Color’s services. 

“We’re proud of the work we’ve accomplished during these last five years,” Phipps Hawkins said. “Our local organizations, businesses and leaders now understand there is a need for these services and that they need to be addressed as a whole by the community. The acceptance of our work throughout the area is a testament to the support we have received by the community to even make that happen and help propel us forward.”

And for the newly expectant moms, the birthing journey can be fulfilling and meaningful.

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