For those Black fathers who have been forced not only to imagine, but to endure the reality of partner loss due to racial bias within the medical system, and for all those Black fathers who envision a world where their birthing partners are not only safe from harm, but are empowered and supported in their birthing process...

When we discuss the maternal mortality rate crisis in the United States, we often focus on how racial bias within the medical system specifically impacts Black birthing people, but it is not just Black birthing people who are harmed by the lethal effects of this bias. Every birthing person lost during pregnancy, birth or postpartum leaves behind a family deeply impacted by trauma.

The Johnson family is one of those families. In 2016, Kira Johnson gave birth to her second child. When she hemorrhaged shortly after birth, medical staff neglected to properly treat her for hours, in spite of her husband’s direct communication with the medical staff. She subsequently died of internal bleeding. Now her husband, Charles Johnson, seeks to change the conditions of the system that killed his wife by pushing for legislative changes through his organization 4Kira4Moms. Inspired by the Johnson’s story, the Black Birth Experience (BBX) will produce a short film to bring awareness to the racial disparities that Black birthing families face through the eyes of the Black father.

How do expecting Black fathers protect their wives and partners within a medical system that can be just as harmful as it can be helpful? How do Black fathers who leave the birthing room without their partners cope with trauma and feelings of regret? Do Black fathers view alternative birthing options as a viable solution? We want to hear and share these untold stories.

BBX seeks to raise $5,000 for the production of this film. The funds raised will be used to compensate the Black fathers involved in making this film for their contributions and likeness, and will cover additional production costs. Our goal is to release the film on Father’s Day, to inspire and to bring awareness to Black fathers and their experiences before, during and long after the birthing process. If you are interested in contributing to this worthwhile project, you can do so at the following link: . We appreciate your help in making this film possible.

This year, BBX is focused on creating change by 1) equipping Black birth workers and 2) sharing Black birth stories to empower Black birthing families. Our goals are to encourage Black people to become birth workers and inform them of cultural congruence, and also to share Black birth stories to change the narrative surrounding alternative birth options in our community, all of which directly affect the abnormally high Black mother mortality and morbidity rate.