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Midwifery care is holistic, healing, and humanistic. It has a rich herstory and legacy in communities of color.
Our vision is to make this care accessible to all peoples- especially Black, Brown, youth, immigrant, indigenous, LGBTQ+, low- income and other marginalized communities.
Our mission is to expand Birth Justice by using story telling, popular education, and community organizing to improve access to midwifery and doula care.
SBJN organizes Black midwives and student midwives to establish a representative voice at the national level that clearly identifies and supports the various needs and interests of Black birthing people.
SBJN offers educational training in the areas of conception, reproductive & maternity care,
family planning, abortion & miscarriage services, maternal health, fitness, nutrition, self-care, breast feeding, and birth justice.
SBJN offers a 1-year doula certification training that focuses on supportive services, maternal health/disparities, and advocacy skills to support a healthy pregnancy, termination, as well as multiple birth options.
“It is our duty to fight for our freedom.It is our duty to win.We must love each other and support each other.We have nothing to lose but our chains.”― Assata Shakur
In the spirit of Assata Shakur and the community health model advanced by the Black Pather Party, Southern Birth Justice Network and a host of doctors, first responders and other emergency health workers trained community members in CPR administration, gun shot wound, pregnancy, and emergency response techniques to provide a community based alternative to EMTs and paramedics in marginalized communities. Hosted by Southern Birth Justice Network at the Circle of Brotherhood in Miami, Florida. The purpose of this event was to share information and resources to prepare everyday people to deal with life threatening emergencies.
Street Medics is a concept that originated in the US during the Civil Rights and Anti-War Movement with the idea that we have to care for and protect our own.
Enfrentándonos, Anti Blackness in Latinx Communities was a three-part virtual panel discussion series that featured young Afro-Latino speakers from Miami, Florida, Washington DC, New York City and beyond. Kitchen table conversation took center stage as we explored issues of identity, liberation, culture, healing, family, and birth justice.
"Part One: Hidden Heritage- Abuelita Negrita" was an in-depth conversation and rediscovery of Afro-Latinx roots, centering Black Latinx folks lives and shared experiences. Abuelita Negrita is the colloquialized euphemism for blackness in the broader Latinidad. We've all heard the saying "la abuela negra en el armario”, but when are we going to let her come out? Abuelita Negrita is the keeper of our culture. Abuelita Negrita is where we get our soul. Abuelita Negrita is where we get our sazon. She keeps our stories and our culture yet we act like she is seperate from us.
Part Two: Action Steps to Decolonization: Decolonization involves an understanding of our ancestral practices and accepting who we are outside of a western context. Decolonization is a healing practice, it acknowledges our wounds and cries for justice. In this conversation we integrated relevant voices of our South Florida social justice movement.
“Part Three: Justicia de Parto”
Our last conversation in Enfrentándonos was centered around Birth Justice and the intersections of the "Afro Latinida". We explored and expanded our understanding of white supremacy and how to depart from it. We then went on to hear from care providers and birthing families about their experiences relating to Birth Justice.
An understanding of Birth Justice is important to ensure that birthing people get full spectrum reproductive health support as they make decisions that are best for themselves and families.
The Young Mamas Leadership Institute is a year-long vocational program designed by and for young women of color to prepare emerging leaders for careers in social justice, organizing, and birth work.
We are so proud of SBJN's 2020 graduating class! Our Birth Justice Doula's are already making a profound impact in the lives of birthing people in South Florida.
Congratulations to an amazing cohort:
Tifanny Burks
Shannon Knox
Allika Alce
Stephanie Melendez
Nerlande
Joseph Demaree Rios
Samantha Daley
Rebekah Antoine
Asha Starks
SBJN is a proud collaborative partner of the South Florida Black Mamas Bailout, a part of a national movement to end pretrial detention and ultimately the abolishment of mass incarceration.
3 out of 4 women are in cages for minor offenses like driving with a suspended license. 80% of incarcerated women are parents.
Learn more about how you can support this campaign and please consider making a donation via newfm.win/bailout or donate directly to the Southern Birth Justice Network.
SBJN features highlights of Birth Workers from across the country represented in our recent Birth Workers' Panel. Find out how this dynamic group of Black Midwives and Doulas advocate for Birth Justice in their work and communities.
SBJN's Circle of Mamas share their stories of birth and loss, speak on the challenges and rewards of parenting, and gain insight into birth justice organizing principles. This is a must see for young, expecting parents, and anyone who supports them!
Bianca shares the birth of her first born son, Jaylen so that young moms like her will be encouraged in their pregnancy and aspirations for an out of hospital delivery. Enjoy moments of triumph as birth unfolds at Magnolia Birth House in North Miami, Florida. Photos by Karyl-Lyn Sanderson
Chosen and Given: A Guided Meditation
In celebration of Black Maternal Health week we encouraged our Mamas to turn inward to focus on health, self-acceptance, and self love in a special guided meditation. Find a comfortable seated position and click on the link below.
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