Black health care professionals will convene in uptown Charlotte this weekend, with a focus on caring for themselves, mothers, and babies. Recent data show a disturbing trend, with Black infants still dying at a much higher rate in Mecklenburg County than their white counterparts.
The Black Doula Day convening aims to provide peer support and celebrate those who care for others. I'man Boykin has been a doula for 12 years and is an organiser of the event with the National Black Doulas Association.
Boykin says being a care provider can come with challenges.
“It’s definitely a sacrifice and truly a calling, ”Boykin said. “If you’re not called to the work, it can definitely burn you out.”
A report released this year by Mecklenburg County highlighted how Black infants are more than 3.5 times more likely to die before age 1 than non-Hispanic white babies. The report also found that Black babies experience the highest rates of preterm birth, low birth weight, and very low birth weight.
“There’s no education. They really don’t know really what they’re supposed to be doing to care for this baby in this first year," Boykin said. “It’s a phenomenon that’s happening in our communities, and it’s really unfortunate."
Saturday's event takes place at the Vapa Center and starts at noon.
