Black Maternal Health Week is April 11-17
Join us for Black Mamas Thrive: Claiming Our Power, Resilience and Liberation, a multi-day online celebration of Black Mamas & Black Motherhood including queer, trans, non-binary & gender nonconforming moms, aunties, other mothers, grannies, sister mamas & muvas
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From April 11 to 17, we’re joining Black Mamas Matter Alliance and Black women across the U.S. for Black Maternal Health Week, an annual mobilizing effort to promote and amplify Black maternal health, rights, and reproductive justice. We believe in Black Mamas’ right to live and thrive, and the vital need to center our knowledge, our stories, our lived experience.
We seek to further the celebration and awareness of Black maternal health, to build community amongst Black birthworkers and Black birthing people, and to provide resources to support healthy birth outcomes in the Black community. We also seek to bring the Seattle community into the national conversation on the crisis in Black maternal health, with a focus on community-based interventions and solutions. This is the only event of it’s kind in the Pacific Northwest.
Our program this year for #BMHW21 includes
- Sunday, April 11 @ 2 -4 pm: Claiming Our Power | Opening + Birthworker Mixer
- Wednesday, April 14 and Thursday, April 15 @ 6 – 8 pm: Claiming Our Resilience | Film Fest. Screening Through the Night (2020, directed by Loira Limbal) and Bringin’ In Da Spirit (2003, directed by Rhonda L. Haynes).
- Saturday, April 17 @ 11 am – 3 pm: Claiming Our Liberation | Panel Discussions + Closing. Topics include: grief & loss, lactation: intergenerational trauma & birth trauma, and herbalism & reproductive wellness.
We thank our funders and partner organizations for making this program possible, including Satterberg Foundation, Mama’s Wellness + Advocacy LLC, Surge Reproductive Justice, and more.
Please contact Rokea Jones – rokea.the.doula@gmail.com or programs@focseattle.org with any questions or requests for support.
WHEN
Sunday, April 11 | 12 – 4pm
Wednesday and Thursday, April 14 and 15 | 6 – 8pm
Saturday, April 17 | 11am – 3pm
WHERE⠀
Online via Zoom video conference. Please register for meeting information. Contact programs@focseattle.org if you have questions.⠀
🏾 FEE
Free! Participants are welcome to donate to support us if able.⠀
Join us for any or all sessions!
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Parents of Children with Disabilities
Starts Sat. March 20 from 2 - 4 pm
This group is for parents who have children of color with disabilities or other special needs, and centers the narrative of the children and their families through an intersectional lens. The group includes, but is not limited to: ADHD, Speech delays/ disorders, Autism Spectrum, Down Syndrome; and any other visible or invisible disabilities, learning or special health care needs.
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From the article:
For some families of color, especially Black and brown families, the pandemic has hit them harder, Tang says, but one silver lining has been “a respite from concerns about biases and the way racism shows up in schools.”
They have been able to help their children navigate the events of the past year — the Black Lives Matter protests, the killings of Floyd and Taylor, the insurrection. As a mixed-race Black mother herself, Tang was relieved to have her children at home in those fraught moments.
“I was their teacher in those moments. They learned about those things from us, the real stories in age-appropriate ways,” she said. “I don’t know what that would have been like in an in-person school environment."
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Virtual Workshops!
Bring FOCS to your school or organization for a virtual racial equity workshop
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Did you know we are now offering virtual workshops? Trainers from FOCS lead dialogue workshops where parents, providers, and educators will grow their understanding of systemic racism and creating inclusive and anti-racist learning spaces for children. Learn more and inquire on our website!
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We’re looking for a few talented and conscientious volunteer board members who can contribute time, thoughtfulness, and leadership skills! Our dedicated FOCS board strives to be a model of governance performance. The ideal candidate is dedicated to enhancing women of color leadership; and has a deep understanding of our FOCS community and its need, passion for our mission, willingness to commit time for board meetings, committee meetings, and special events.
Board members are expected to serve a minimum of one (1) two-year term on the Board, with option to renew. They also serve on at least one Board committee.
Typical duties expected of a board member include:
- Attends regular board meetings (every other month)
- Serve on a board committee and attend its meetings (every other month)
- Attends full-day annual board retreat in the Fall
- Reviews monthly financial statements of the organization
- Participates in fundraising
- Makes an annual monetary contribution to FOCS, in an amount that is personally meaningful
In addition to the standard roles and responsibilities above, our board members are active advocates and ambassadors for the organization and are fully engaged in identifying financial resources and partnerships with other organizations necessary for FOCS to advance its mission.
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South Seattle Emerald | POETRY: Use Your Words (or Unsolicited Advice to 2nd and 3rd Gen Asian Americans)
By FOCS parent Jen Soriano!
The Maternal Coalition | COVID-19 Birth Rights and Education Toolkits
COVID-19 toolkits specifically designed to answer questions in the perinatal period due to COVID-19. The Maternal Coalition spoke with Doulas, Midwives, providers, expecting parents, and birthing people to understand the concerns they are currently facing. Available in English, Amharic, Spanish, Somali, Mandarin.
Open Arms Perinatal Services | Join a Virtual Lactation Lounge
Parents and caregivers can drop in during any stage of their lactating journey to ask questions and discuss challenges surrounding feeding. From pregnancy to introducing food, and the entire weaning process – Lactation Support Peer Counselors are here for YOU!
Powerful Voices | Powerful Choices Cohort Starting 3/22
Powerful Choices is a program where middle school-aged girls* come together and share space while reflecting on a wide array of topics such as: identity, racism, sexism, healthy relationships, feminism, and more. The program will be led through positive adult support, creative activities, and partnerships with community organizations and leaders.
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Surge Reproductive Justice | We Are Abundant 3/22, 5:30 pm
"How do we practice living in abundance under the current circumstances? At Surge, we cherish the abundance present in our communities. We know we have what we need to continue the fight to end reproductive oppression. As our commitment to the practice of liberation, we want to invite you to be part of an intentional space with us."
Wa Na Wari | FILM & DISCUSSION: Keepers of Nations -- The Power of Women of African Descent, 3/26, 12 pm
How has the warmth and leadership of women of African descent supported you? Please join us virtually for a special Women’s History Month film screening and community celebration honoring the love and guidance of Black women. We will enjoy an exclusive screening of Madaraka The Documentary, a performance by Monique Franklin, and close out the program with a conversation about Black Queens--past, present, and future. This program is free and open to the public. We encourage all audience members to center Black community voices in the space and to uplift Black Joy.
API Chaya | Virtual Gala: Unity Comes Full Circle 4/24, 6 pm
"We are celebrating our 26th year of supporting survivors, and 10 years since the merger of our two founding organizations - the API Women and Family Safety Center, and Chaya. We see the power of being stronger together, and uplift the journey survivors go through from crisis, to the many paths of healing."
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