Marking 10 Years of Black Maternal Health Week

This year marks the 10th anniversary of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), continuing the efforts led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to raise awareness, confront racial disparities, and advance solutions to improve Black maternal health outcomes. The 2026 theme, “Rooted in Justice and Joy,” highlights healing, resilience, and the importance of culturally respective care. 

To recognize this milestone, NYCHA’s Resident Health Initiatives office compiled a list of resources that connect residents to prenatal and postpartum care, mental health support, and community-based services.  

Free Support for Expecting NYCHA Families 

Find out about upcoming events, doulas, breastfeeding classes, and other assistance for expecting families through the Healthy Start @ NYCHA program. Let NYCHA know if you or a member of your household is pregnant through the Self-Service Portal. Healthy Start @ NYCHA is hosting two community baby showers this spring – one for Queens residents on May 9 and a citywide event in June.

Queens residents who are expecting or have a new baby can register for the May 9 community baby shower by visiting Healthy Start @ NYCHA Queens Baby Shower & Resource Fair Tickets, Saturday, May 9  •  12 PM – 3 PM | Eventbrite.  

Read about the program’s most recent community baby shower event here. Contact healthy.start@nycha.nyc.gov or call 212-306-8282 for more information.   

NYC Health Department Events for Expectant and New Mothers and Caregivers 
The NYC Health Department is hosting a series of events to celebrate Black Maternal Health Week. 
 
Harlem:  

Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

East Harlem Asthma Center of Excellence, 161-169 E. 110th St. 
Event includes maternal yoga and belly dancing, sugar scrub, self-care bingo, and teatime. 

Registration and more info: Black Maternal Health Week 2026 – Harlem Neighborhood Health 

Bronx:  

Thursday, April 16, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. 

Tremont Action Center, 1826 Arthur Ave. 
Event includes a milk ‘n’ mingle session, belly dancing demo, and presentation on doula support. 

Registration and more info: Black Maternal Health Week 2026 – Bronx Neighborhood Health 

Important NYC Resources for Growing Families 

Expecting families may qualify for a range of important supports during the pregnancy and postpartum period, including: 

• New Family Home Visits Initiative 
  Through this initiative, a trained health worker — such as a nurse, doula, or community health worker — makes in-person or virtual visits to the home of a parent who is pregnant or has an infant or young child. 

• Safe Sleep for Infants, ACS 
  Every year, between 30 and 40 infants in New York City die from a preventable, sleep-related injury due to unsafe sleep practices such as stomach sleeping and bed sharing. A sleep-related injury death is the sudden death of an infant less than 1 year old that occurs because of where and/or how they were placed to sleep. Most sleep-related infant injury deaths are preventable. 

• IRTH 
  IRTH is the only app that features reviews and ratings from Black and brown mothers about hospitals and healthcare providers. Each review helps mothers find unbiased prenatal, birthing, postpartum, and pediatric care, through baby’s first year. 

Featured photo caption: Attendees at Healthy Start @ NYCHA baby showers at Ingersoll Houses and Melrose Classic Center.