This week is national Black Maternal Health Week. It’s not only a time to raise awareness, but a time to have honest conversations about what families are experiencing right now.

In the U.S., Black women are still significantly more likely to face serious complications or even die from pregnancy-related causes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was nearly 45 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2024.

What would it look like to center families, to bring birth back into the community? What would it look like for families to have options like birthing centers? 

Leseliey Welch is the co-founder of Birth Detroit  and Birth Center Equity. She is a poet and social entrepreneur. She joined The Metro’s Tia Graham to explore the culture of birthing in this country and what needs to be done to protect Black moms.

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More stories from The Metro

On this episode of Detroit Evening Report Weekends, we speak to Elon Geffrard, Birth Detroit Co-founder and Perinatal Support and Education Director. 

We discuss how doulas, midwives, and birthing centers are providing alternative support services for women to give birth in Detroit. That leads to better health outcomes, including fewer infant and maternal mortalities in communities of color.

Listen to the episode using the media player above. 

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