04/16/2026
This Black Maternal Health Week (April 11–17), AAHP salutes Black moms in Montgomery County. This year's theme, "Rooted in Justice and Joy," celebrates community-led support that helps Black mothers thrive. Black women are nearly 3x more likely to die from pregnancy-related complications than White women, and many of these deaths are preventable. Stress, lack of support, housing instability, and untreated emotional health challenges all increase the risk.
AAHP's SMILE program (Start More Infants Living Equally Healthy) tackles these root causes head-on. SMILE's nurses, social workers, and mental health professionals show up like family — advocating for stable housing, connecting moms to emotional support, and making sure they feel safe and cared for throughout pregnancy and beyond. That is justice and joy in action.
Observe Black Maternal Health Week by showing up for the moms in your life. Help a new or expecting mom with tasks, errands, or caregiving. Spread awareness to help save lives. If you or someone you know is pregnant or has a new baby, reach out to SMILE. When Black moms have access to care, education, and support that lifts the whole person, outcomes improve for mother, child, and community.
Founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA), Black Maternal Health Week is an annual campaign held during National Minority Health Month to amplify the voices of Black mamas and center the values of the reproductive and birth justice movements.
