A local organization in Louisville just received $5.5 million to support single Black mothers, helping them access the resources they need.
According to an African Proverb, “it takes a village to raise a child.” But now a Louisville-based nonprofit called Black Birth Justice says it also takes a village to raise a mother.
“When you’re a single mom and you’re doing it, you’re expected to always have it together,” said April Daughtery, one of the first clients of Black Birth Justice. “You know, you can’t break down, you can’t do this, and you can’t have any feelings — and you have to do it well, you have to show up broken, and be broken well.”
On Tuesday the nonprofit celebrated after receiving a $5.5 million grant from the The Health Resources and Services Administration to support its Healthy Beginnings Connect Us Project. The program will focus on providing support for single moms across Jefferson County.
“We will be able to utilize this funding to offer education, mental health access, doulas access to midwives, access to all types of things,” said Meka Kpoh, the founder and executive director of Black Birth Justice.
According to the Centers for Disease Control, Black women are more likely to suffer from post partum depression, but many lack resources to get diagnosed and treatment.
“So postpartum is actually 60% of where maternal deaths happen,” Kpoh said.
The program is similar to the Healthy Start Program that’s overseen by the Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness Department. Most of Black Birth Justice’s staff participated in the program and served on the board.
Healthy Beginnings Project Director Victoria Jones is ready “to take this opportunity to reach more families and advocate and empower others the same way we were empowered.”
The Black Birth Justice group will be the first grassroots nonprofit to run the Healthy Beginnings program, and Daughtery is thrilled about it.
“I’m excited that someone who has integrity in front of the scenes and behind gets to be able to show up for mamas like us,” she said.