Iowa
The Black Maternal Health Collective (BMHC) was founded in 2019 by six Black women in Iowa dedicated to addressing the disproportionate maternal health outcomes affecting Black women and birthing people. The organization's work spans advocacy, education, research, and community empowerment. BMHC hosted Iowa's first Black Maternal Health Symposium, bringing together healthcare providers, public health agencies, social service agencies, elected officials, and community stakeholders to address the maternal health gap. Programs include self-advocacy workshops empowering Black women to navigate healthcare systems, survivor story gathering and amplification, and scholarships for students pursuing careers in nursing, midwifery, and obstetrics. BMHC co-founders include clinical nurse-midwives, family nurse practitioners, social workers, and diversity and inclusion specialists — all with deep expertise in reproductive justice, implicit bias in healthcare, and social determinants of health. The organization maintains mailing addresses in both Iowa and Washington D.C., reflecting its national advocacy reach.