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THE GREATER NEW YORK CHAPTER OF THE LINKS BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAM HUB

The Greater New York Chapter’s legacy of service in the areas of youth development, women’s empowerment, elder care, financial literacy and arts education has improved the lives of thousands across New York City during our over 75 year history.

A major component of our programming through our National Trends and Services Facet has been centered on Black Maternal Health. The GNY Links were called to action following the release of a recent CDC report that found that Black women were significantly more likely to experience a pregnancy-related death, at a rate of 53 deaths per 100,000 live births across the state compared with 13 per 100,000 among white women.
Closer to home, Black women in New York City are 8–12 times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. They also face higher rates of preterm birth, inadequate prenatal care, obstetric racism, and chronic stress related to systemic inequities. Families often lack culturally aligned support or access to trusted resources. Youth and future mothers also lack reproductive health literacy and advocacy skills. This crisis harms mothers, babies, families, and communities.

In light of these startling statistics, the Greater New York Chapter has set the following priorities for our Black Maternal Health programming:
● Increase awareness, education, and culturally responsive support;
● Reduce disparities in Black maternal health outcomes;
● Build community capacity, voice, and advocacy;
● Strengthen cross-sector partnerships to drive systems change; and
● Support the empowerment of the next generation through youth reproductive health literacy.

 

“GRANT FROM AMERIHEALTH CARITAS”

The Greater New York Chapter received a large grant from AmeriHealth Caritas to support our work in the area of Black Maternal Health over the course of the next two years. We are extremely grateful to AmeriHealth Caritas for their support.

 

“AFTER BIRTH, AFTERCARE, AFTERTHOUGHT: THE FOURTH TRIMESTER FOR OUR MOTHERS LIVE VIDEO PODCAST”

The Greater New York Links will launch a transformative programming partnership with AmeriHealth Caritas and the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research on Black Maternal Health in 2026.

Our inaugural program will take place on May 4, 2026, a video podcast entitled: After Birth, Aftercare, Afterthought: The Fourth Trimester For Our Mothers. This video podcast, which will be recorded with a live audience, which will examine the crucial months after childbirth, a vital transition period for both baby and parents, focusing on the intense physical healing for the mother, massive hormonal shifts, emotional challenges like anxiety and exhaustion. We will bring together health experts, birthing people with lived experience, as well as this country’s leading personalities, advocates and policy makers who have championed Black Maternal Health. Additional details will be announced shortly.

 

“PREVIOUS GREATER NEW YORK LINKS CHAPTER BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAMMING”

Below is a retrospective of the Greater New York Chapter’s’[ Black Maternal Health programming.

  • February 15, 2025: Perinatal Public Health: A Public Health Crisis which was held at The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus brought together elected officials and policymakers together with clinicians, advocates, and researchers for a discussion on the public health crisis of perinatal mental health, the unique impact on Black women and women of color, recommendations for reducing disparities and legislation that currently exists to address areas of need, all while looking forward to future legislative priorities in New York State.

Speakers: Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Dr. Dilice Robertson, Dr. Sascha James-Conterelli, Dr. Wendy Wilcox, NYS Senator Samra Brouk and NYS Senator Lea Webb.

  • October 24, 2024: “Saving Lives, Shaping Policy” legislative breakfast– New York government officials, healthcare professionals, and advocates convened at NYU for “Saving Lives, Shaping Policy,” a legislative breakfast focused on addressing critical disparities in Black maternal health. The event highlighted the severity of the crisis with concrete statistics: Black women in New York State are five times more likely to die in childbirth than white women, a disparity that rises to six times higher within New York City.

The series of panels, moderated by the Greater New York Chapter of the Links member, Eboni K. Williams served as a platform to discuss legislative progress and future priorities, including the recent allocation of $5 million for maternal health grants and $4.5 million for regional perinatal centers.

Speakers included: NYS Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYC Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Sideya Sherman, Greater New York Chapter of the Links President, DeNora Getachew, Rose Pierre-Louis, Dr. Leslie A. Hays, Dr. Sascha James-Conterelli, Dr. Cyrus McCalla, Dr. Dilice Robertson, Dr. Natasha J. Williams, NYS Senator Samra G. Brouk, NYS Senator Lea Webb, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages, NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis, and Nathifa Forde. A video recording can be found here: Video recording

  • February 17, 2024: “Equity in Every Birth” panel discussion at the NYSABPRHAL’s 53rd Annual Legislative Conference brought together medical experts, researchers, health system leaders, and frontline practitioners to discuss best practices and policy prescriptions to improve outcomes for Black maternal physical and mental well-being.

Speakers included: New York State Attorney General Letitia James, Assembly Member Rodneyse Hermelyn Bichotte, Assembly Member Michaelle C. Solages, NYS Senator Samra G. Brouk, NYS Senator Lea Webb, Rosemonde Pierre-Louis, Dr. Damali M. Wilson, Helena A. Grant, Jade Kearney, Dr. Sophia Lubin, Dr. Natasha J. Williams,

As part of Black Maternal Health Week, the Greater New York Chapter of the Links convened experts in the fields of maternal physical and mental health to provide vital information on the scope of this health disparity, contributing factors, and best practices. Panelists also discussed what families, service providers, and the community can do to advocate for change, as well as taking audience questions.

 

Speakers included: Eboni K. Williams, Dr. Torian Easterling, Dr. Kortney James, Dr. Cyrus McCalla, Roxanne Munroe, Chanel Porchia-Albert, and Rose Pierre-Louis.