by Alexis Clark

Tennessee State University recently hosted a Black Maternal Health Fair as part of its ongoing efforts to combat disparities and improve Black maternal health outcomes. The event, in partnership with the Black Heart Association, Walmart, 4Kira4Moms, and other key organizations, brought together panelists who shared powerful stories about their own journeys as maternal health advocates.

TSU President Ronald Johnson welcomed attendees, emphasizing the importance of these discussions for the African American community.

“I am honored to be here today because this issue is vital to the health and well-being of African American families,” Johnson said. “African American women face the highest rates of maternal mortality, and these discussions are essential for accelerating solutions and creating a healthier future.”

Held at TSU’s Health Science building, the event featured two panel discussions, an interactive workshop on community support, and sessions on innovative care models and maternal mental health. Each panel addressed key aspects of Black maternal health, with guest speakers sharing their personal experiences that inspired them to become advocates.

Before the panel discussion, Brian Calhoun, a TSU master’s in public health student, presented his research on the role of African American men in supporting Black women during pregnancy and postpartum. As a father of one with another child on the way with his wife, Calhoun highlighted the significance of his work in creating positive outcomes for families.

“Postpartum care is crucial because it’s when many women face the greatest risks,” Calhoun said. “TSU has provided a safe space for these discussions, allowing speakers to share their vulnerabilities and passion for advocacy. I’m proud to be part of this movement, knowing that TSU is at the forefront of addressing maternal health disparities.”

Calhoun referred to TSU’s $2.3 million grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration last year, which supports the establishment of a research center dedicated to studying maternal health disparities. “I’m extremely proud to say that TSU is leading this effort in Tennessee,” Calhoun said.

Alaurea Paige, a graduate student in public health and the event’s moderator, shared her reflections on the importance of mental health for Black mothers, both during and after pregnancy.

“The biggest takeaway for me was how often Black women and their families are ignored by medical professionals, sometimes with tragic or fatal outcomes,” Paige said. “Mental health is such an important piece, and I hope the audience understands the ongoing challenges that Black mothers face.”

In 2021, for every 100,000 live births, about 70 Black women died from pregnancy-related causes, compared to 27 White women, according to the CDC. The maternal mortality rate for Black women is 2.6 times higher than that of White women and significantly higher than Hispanic women as well.

This reality underscores the need for events like TSU’s Black Maternal Health Fair, which not only provides a platform for raising awareness but also for creating solutions.

Angela Wynn, TSU’s Director of Stewardship and Donor Relations, spearheaded the event and spoke about the power of shared experiences.

“Being able to have shared experiences and knowing you aren’t the only one who has been through some of the tough journeys shared during our panel discussions truly helps in alleviating the silo some feel like they are in,” Wynn said, who is a mother herself. “We all have a responsibility to work toward fixing the disparities in Black maternal health, whether we’ve been mothers or have mothers.” Wynn expressed her hope that participants would continue to advocate for change and help eliminate the disparities affecting Black women.

Dr. Ronald Barredo, Dean of the College of Health Sciences, emphasized the significance of the discussions at the fair.

“The Black Maternal Health Fair sparked crucial conversations that not only highlighted the disparities faced by Black mothers but also stressed the urgent need for policy change and culturally competent care,” Barredo said. “This event is a step toward driving meaningful change that will improve maternal health outcomes and support the well-being of our communities.”

The event’s first panel included Corey Burton, Black maternal health advocate; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms; Dr. Cornelia R. Graves, medical director of Tennessee Maternal Fetal Medicine; state Sen. London Lamar; and Kristin Mejia, midwife and CEO of Homeland Heart.

The second panel featured Jasmine Dary, founder and CEO of Twisted Corks; Kenya Frazier, DSW, LCSW, LMFT, owner of RISE Therapy; TSU alum Toni Kelly, LCSW, owner of Toni Kelly Counseling & Consulting; and Psyche Terry, co-founder and CEO of UI Global Brands.