Fighting Maternal and Infant Mortality: A Mission Fueled by Love, Lived Experience, and Advocacy

Maternal and infant mortality is not just a public health issue—it’s personal. It’s painful. It’s urgent. And for far too many women—especially Black women—it’s a crisis that continues to steal lives and shatter families. I know this pain intimately. I nearly died twice giving birth to my son. And those experiences changed me forever.

Because I lived, I decided to fight for every mother and baby as if my life depended on it—because it does. This is more than advocacy for me. Its purpose. It’s passion. It’s a promise to ensure that no mother dies because she wasn’t seen, heard, or valued in our healthcare system.

That promise led me to the MOMS Tour, a 50-city tour in communities where maternal and infant mortality is high. With every city, every stop, every conversation, the mission became clearer and the need became louder. We gathered in churches and community centers, sharing stories, distributing resources, and equipping moms for advocacy. This movement is part of my “why.” It’s about honoring every mother with the care, dignity, and love she deserves, especially journeying motherhood.

This year, I continue through the THRIVE Tour, a bold next step focused on maternal health and my lived experience. This is where advocacy gets personal. I show up not as an expert from afar, but as a woman who knows what it feels like to fight for survival postpartum. It’s where we meet moms where they are—spiritually, emotionally, and physically—and let them know: You matter. Your life matters. Your birth story matters.

And we’re not just telling stories—we’re creating solutions. Through my nonprofit, A Chance to Learn, we launched the MyBaby4Me Initiative—an 18-month, zip-code-specific program gifted by Dr. Patricia Gabbe with Moms2Be, targeting infant mortality in high-risk cities like Memphis, Nashville, Little Rock, New Orleans, and Charlotte. In partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we’re equipping families with education, resources, and community support that could be the difference between life and loss. We’re not just addressing symptoms—we’re shifting outcomes and rewriting narratives.

RISE – Resources, Inspiration, Support & Empowerment to Reduce Maternal and Infant Mortality

Hope also lives in innovation. That’s why I’m proud to support the RISE for Black Maternal Mental Health study, led by Cedars-Sinai, Candlelit Care, and Maternal Mental Health Now. Backed by the NIH, this groundbreaking initiative explores how mobile technology can help improve mental health, birth outcomes, and reduce discrimination for Black pregnant women. With a goal to reach 150 participants nationwide, this research is a much-needed light in the darkness and a critical step toward equity in care. If you are 18 years or older and between 12 – 32 weeks pregnant, please sign up here.

Technology isn’t the answer alone—but when it’s designed with empathy, equity, and understanding—it becomes a lifeline. Tools like RISE give moms the power to advocate for themselves, find community, and navigate care with confidence. As someone who knows what it feels like to be dismissed and almost die because of it, I believe in this. Deeply.

Advocacy. Education. Action. Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality

This work isn’t easy. But it is sacred.

These are the pillars of real change. Through the MOMS Tour, THRIVE Tour, MyBaby4Me, and RISE, we are building a movement rooted in love, led by survivors, and fueled by the unwavering belief that every mother deserves to live, to thrive, and to raise her baby with joy and peace.

The fight is not over. But together—with faith, fire, and fierce determination-we can build a world where no mother dies due to preventable maternal health morbidities. We will not wait, nor will we whisper. Lets rise for every mom, every baby, and every future still waiting to be born.

Make it a great and productive day!