When it comes to motherhood in the United States, the journey is often far more perilous than most people realize—especially for Black women. Despite living in an age of remarkable medical advances, the U.S. continues to grapple with shockingly high maternal mortality rates, and the disparities are even more pronounced in places like New York, where Black mothers are four times more likely to die from childbirth than their white counterparts, according to reporting from the New York Daily News.
This crisis is not just a matter of statistics; it’s deeply personal for women like Neshé Conley, Danielle Cadet, and Shamica Frasier, whose stories and advocacy are shining a light on the urgent need for change. Their experiences, and the community-driven solutions they are building, are helping to reimagine what maternal health support can look like—one story, one app, and one gathering at a time.
On October 22, 2025, Ebony Women Health Corp, a Charlotte-based health equity firm, announced the launch of the EchoHer Community App. This digital platform was created to amplify the voices and experiences of Black women and birthing people as they navigate pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. The app, founded by health equity advocate Neshé Conley, is more than just a digital diary; it’s a tool designed to turn personal stories into actionable, AI-driven data that can inform public health research and drive systemic accountability.
“EchoHer was born out of the urgent need to make sure Black women are no longer invisible in healthcare spaces,” Conley shared, as reported by People of Color in Tech. “Every story shared through EchoHer strengthens our data, our voice, and our collective power to demand better care and outcomes.”
The statistics underscore the urgency. Black women in the U.S. are three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The EchoHer app provides a safe space for community storytelling, access to culturally relevant wellness resources, and opportunities for advocacy and healing. Early users can join the EchoHer Founding Members Program, gaining access to exclusive features and opportunities for community leadership. The project’s momentum is further buoyed by a recent investment partnership with UnitedHealthcare, with early access available and plans for expanded features later in 2025.
But it’s not just about technology. Across the country, grassroots efforts are creating real-world spaces for support, resource-sharing, and celebration. On October 18, 2025, the fourth annual New Haven Community Baby Shower brought over 100 families together at the Q House. Organized by doulas and nurse-midwives—Shamica Frasier, Shannon Knox, Brittany Needham, and Lucinda Canty—the event offered everything from free diapers and strollers to massages and lactation support, all in a festive, welcoming environment.
“That’s what makes me excited about celebrating others,” Frasier told the New Haven Independent, reflecting on her own experience as a pregnant teenager without a safety net. “I know what it feels like to be that single mama who doesn’t know who to ask or where to turn. Someone shouldn’t have to ask, ‘Can you celebrate me? Can you celebrate me bringing life into this world?’”
The event was particularly focused on supporting Black women, who as of 2022 had a maternal mortality rate 2.5 times higher than white women. Healthcare workers from Yale New Haven Hospital and New Haven Healthy Start were on hand, and more than 20 vendors provided resources ranging from postpartum hair care to early childhood education. Knox, another organizer, emphasized, “How important it is for us to bring everybody together to be there for pregnant and expecting parents, ‘cause that’s a very vulnerable time.”
These community-driven efforts are vital, especially as federal support for maternal health has eroded. The New York Daily News recently reported that the Trump administration’s cuts to the Health Resources and Services Administration, which oversees the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, have led to the loss of critical programs aimed at preventing maternal deaths. These reductions are expected to widen existing disparities and put already vulnerable communities at greater risk.
Yet, New York has taken some steps to address the crisis. NYC Health + Hospitals’ Woodhull Medical Center broke ground on a $20 million renovation to its Labor and Birthing Suite, and Elmhurst Hospital’s investments have earned it a redesignation as a Baby-Friendly hospital. Legislative efforts include new laws requiring hospitals to inform pregnant women about the risks of pre-term labor and the Citywide Doula Initiative, which is expanding support to high-need communities.
Despite these advances, gaps remain. A study by the NYC Department of Health found that implicit bias plays a role in nearly 70% of pregnancy-related deaths—an alarming sign that many maternal deaths are preventable. Programs like United Way of New York City’s Preventative Care Access, which brings mobile clinics and screenings into neighborhoods, have shown promising results, reducing hospital visits and saving millions in Medicaid spending. But as funding hangs in the balance, advocates warn that these gains could be lost without continued investment.
For many Black women, the challenge of balancing career ambition and motherhood adds another layer of complexity. Danielle Cadet, a 37-year-old Atlanta-based consultant and podcast host, has lived this struggle firsthand. After climbing the ranks in journalism and landing high-powered roles—including editorial director at Netflix and executive editor at Essence Communications—Cadet faced an identity crisis when motherhood collided with her professional life.
“My two worlds collided in a really intense way,” Cadet told Business Insider. “Now that I was a mother with all the responsibilities that came with it, could I continue to be a high-flying executive?” Ultimately, she decided to take a pause from her career, focusing on family and launching the "Pregnant Pause" podcast in July 2025. The show explores the intersection of ambition and motherhood for Black women, offering a platform for honest conversations about family planning and career decisions.
Cadet’s journey reflects a broader reality: the path to motherhood for Black women in America is fraught with unique challenges, but also resilience and innovation. Whether through technology like the EchoHer app, community gatherings like the New Haven Baby Shower, or policy advocacy in New York, Black women and their allies are pushing for a future in which every mother receives the care, respect, and support she deserves.
As advocates, organizers, and mothers themselves have made clear, the fight for maternal health equity is far from over. But with each new initiative, each shared story, and every act of community support, the movement grows stronger—reminding us all that when mothers are well cared for, families and futures thrive.
