In California, like much of the United States, Black mothers who give birth are four to six times as likely to die from pregnancy/birth-related causes and twice as likely to suffer a maternal morbidity (such as hemorrhage or infection) than those in all other racial/ethnic groups (California Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review, 2018). According to the National Vital Statistics System, in 2020, the maternal mortality rate for Black women in the United States was 55.3 deaths per 100,000 live births, almost three times the rate for White women.

In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week (April 11-17), an effort to build awareness, activism, and community-building to amplify the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Moms and birthing people, the Black Leadership Council (BLC), along with invited partners, First 5 of Alameda County Fathers Corps, Alameda Health System & Alameda County Public Health Department's BElovedBIRTH Black Centering, and the California Black Health Network, will screen the film Aftershock - a thoughtful and powerful example of the impact that maternal mortality has on our community and Black families.

A post-film panel discussion will feature:

Filmmaker Tonya Lewis Lee
Featured fathers Omari Maynard and Bruce McIntyre
Rhonda Smith, Executive Director of the California Black Health Network
BElovedBIRTH Black Centering Program Director Jyesha Wren

Moderated by Tasha Henneman, Director of the Black Leadership Council and PRC's Chief of Policy and Government Affairs, and Kevin Bremond, Founder and Executive Director of the Fathers Corps.

About the Film: In October 2019, 30-year-old Shamony Gibson tragically died 13 days following the birth of her son. Two months later, we began filming Shamony's surviving mother, Shawnee Benton Gibson, and bereaved partner, Omari Maynard, as they began to process what happened and figure out their new normal.

In April 2020, 26-year-old Amber Rose Isaac, died due to an emergency c-section. Within weeks of Amber's death, Omari reached out to Amber's surviving partner Bruce McIntyre and a lifelong bond was formed. Together, Omari and Bruce begin the fight for justice for their partners with their families and community by their side, while caring for their children as newly single parents.

Throughout the film, we witness these two families become ardent activists in the maternal health space, seeking justice through legislation, medical accountability, community, and the power of art. Their work introduces us to a myriad of people including a growing brotherhood of surviving Black fathers, along with the work of midwives and physicians on the ground fighting for institutional reform. Through their collective journeys, we find ourselves on the front lines of the growing birth justice movement that is demanding systemic change within our medical system and government.

For questions please contact Tasha Henneman at: tasha.henneman@prcsf.org; 510.504.0836

"Aftershock" Film Screening and Panel Discussion

The Historic Grand Lake Theatre, Oakland, CA 94610

Team Members