At Community Hero PA, our mission is to strengthen communities and advocate for equitable access to resources and well-being. Our recent attendance at the 2025 Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus Summit, held during Black Maternal Health Week, was not just an event—it was a profound responsibility and a pivotal moment in the fight for Black maternal health justice in our state.

Understanding the Crisis

The statistics surrounding Black maternal health are stark and demand immediate action. In Pennsylvania, Black women are nearly twice as likely to die from pregnancy-related causes compared to white women. A 2020 report indicated that non-Hispanic Black birthing people had a pregnancy-associated mortality ratio of approximately 148 per 100,000 births, compared to 81 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic white mothers. These numbers represent lives tragically cut short or irrevocably altered due to systemic inequities, lack of access to quality, culturally competent care, implicit bias within the healthcare system, and the dismissal of Black women’s pain and concerns.

Highlights from the Summit

The three-day summit, held from April 14–16, 2025, in Pittsburgh, was a convergence of lived experiences, expertise, advocacy, and legislative will, all focused on forging tangible solutions.

• Day 1 featured a main stage conversation titled “The Pre-Game – Engaging the Players: The Power of Dads in Black Maternal Health,” emphasizing the role of fathers in maternal health. This was followed by demonstrations on “Tech & Black Maternal Health” and an opening reception to network with leaders and change-makers.

• Day 2 included a policy hearing on “Midwifery Modernization and Maternal Health Deserts,” a press conference at the City-County Building, a keynote luncheon, and a main stage panel titled “Pennsylvania Call to Action for Black Maternal Health.”

• Day 3 offered a “Center 1968 Training,” a “Brunch & Learn” session on “Delivering Justice,” and a closing session to reflect, strategize, and commit to action.

Throughout the summit, we heard directly from healthcare providers, community leaders, researchers, policymakers, and, most importantly, Black women who shared their personal stories. These accounts highlighted the critical need for anti-racist healthcare practices, addressing social determinants of health, and truly listening to and believing Black patients.

Leadership and Legislative Action

The Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, formed in 2023, is co-chaired by State Representatives Morgan B. Cephas (D-Philadelphia), Gina H. Curry (D-Delaware), and La’Tasha D. Mayes (D-Allegheny). These leaders have been instrumental in advancing legislation to improve maternal health outcomes.

During the summit, the caucus unveiled the “PA MOMNIBUS 2.0,” a comprehensive legislative package aimed at addressing maternal health disparities. Key components include:

• Requiring Medicaid and private insurers to cover home blood-pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum women.

• Establishing a pilot program for maternal and newborn supply kits.

• Creating maternal care access zones to tackle care deserts.

• Expanding midwifery practice and support for doulas.

• Mandating nursing-parent rooms in state buildings and strengthening breastfeeding support.

These initiatives are modeled after the federal Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which addresses social determinants of health, diversifies the perinatal workforce, and improves data collection and maternal health outcomes.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

Attending the summit reinforced Community Hero PA’s commitment to this vital work. The energy, collaboration, and clear calls to action were invigorating. We left not just informed but mobilized.

We stand in solidarity with the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus and urge our community members, partners, and policymakers to educate themselves on the statistics and solutions, lend support, and join the movement. Contact your legislators, share information, support organizations doing the work on the ground, and advocate for policies that prioritize the health, dignity, and survival of Black mothers.

Together, we can create a Pennsylvania where every mother has the opportunity to thrive, not just survive.