Reflecting on 5 Years of the Black and Brown Birthing Summit (BBBS)

This year’s BBBS was nothing short of powerful. It was our best yet — a deeply affirming space filled with truth-telling, wisdom-sharing, and community-building. From engaging panels to powerful presentations, we were blessed with high-quality speakers who didn’t just inform — they inspired.

We were honored to feature Dr. West Olatunji of the Center for Traumatic Stress Research and Ken L. Harris, Boston, MA, Maternal and Paternal health expert. Their words resonated deeply — calling us to action, reflection, and collective healing.

One of the most moving aspects of this year’s summit was the focus on fathers — recognizing them as the first line of support in maternal health, not afterthoughts. Their presence was seen, honored, and lifted up in ways that challenged us to expand our understanding of care, protection, and provision within Black and Brown families. 

Biggest takeaways:

• Fathers are essential and visible in the birthing journey.
• Community knowledge is ancestral wisdom — we carry generations with us.
• Healing happens when we gather, speak truth, and see each other fully. 

Being together — in all our brilliance and complexity — reminded me that this work is sacred. I’m leaving this summit renewed, recharged, and recommitted to continuing this work, building safe and affirming spaces for our birthing people and families.

“BBBS isn't just an event — it’s a movement. A reminder that we are the experts of our own bodies, our own births, and our own stories. And we will be heard.”

#BBBS2025 #BlackAndBrownBirthingSummit #BirthJustice #ReproductiveJustice #CenteringFathers #CommunityCare #OurStoriesOurPower 

Brainstorming and feelings captured by BBBS interviewer: Nicole Fernandez, Sun Root Strategies, LLC, Boston and Minneapolis

Sun Root Strategies is a community-based consulting and facilitation practice that nurtures growth, equity, and healing through dialogue, training, and restorative approaches. Our work centers on building strong teams and resilient communities by creating spaces that honor lived experiences, elevate strengths, and deepen connections. We specialize in trauma-informed facilitation, restorative circles, and strategies that support staff wellness, collaboration, and sustainable impact.