Recently, Wellpoint and Nadia Care held a special screening of “The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” at Morgan State University in Baltimore. The event aimed to shine a light on the significant issues surrounding Black maternal health, often overlooked in traditional discussions.
“We wanted to bring a red carpet experience to our city,” said Darrell Gray II, CEO of Wellpoint. “The conversations about Black maternal health often stay hidden away. We need to change that.”
This powerful documentary, directed by Emmy-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by Viola Davis, follows the journeys of four Black mothers facing various maternal health challenges. Inspired by Nina Simone’s song “Four Women,” the film explores themes of pain, healing, and hope.
Alaquiva emphasized that “The Ebony Canal” is not merely a bleak story. “Yes, it shows hurt, but it also conveys joy and the essence of motherhood,” he shared. “We all need to recognize the joy associated with birth.”
A concerning statistic from the Kaiser Family Foundation highlights the crisis: Black women are over three times more likely than White women to face pregnancy-related fatalities. In 2023, the maternal mortality rate stood at 49.4 deaths per 100,000 live births for Black women, a stark contrast to 14.9 for their White counterparts.
The screening concluded with a panel discussion moderated by actor Lamman Rucker, which included experts from the medical field and advocates for maternal health. Among them was Shari Lawson, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Howard University, who remarked, “Medicine owes Black and Brown women and their families. Trust has been violated, and we need to rebuild it.”
Historical context reveals that Black women have played significant roles in maternal care for centuries, often as midwives. Mary Frances Hill Coley, for example, delivered thousands of children during a time when racial segregation was rampant in Georgia.
Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms, spoke passionately about the need for greater involvement of fathers in maternal health discussions. He founded the organization after losing his wife, Kira, due to childbirth complications. “Dads aren’t bystanders; they are essential in this journey,” he stated.
Studies, including one from the National Library of Medicine, show that involved fathers can lead to better health outcomes for both mothers and infants. This highlights a significant gap in research and practice regarding paternal roles in childbirth and parenting.
The discussion also touched on the importance of shared responsibility in maternal health. Johnson encouraged a shift in perspective: fathers should engage in dialogues with clinicians. “We need to empower fathers so they understand how vital they are in this process,” he said.
Alana Yzola-Daly, a first-time mother and associate producer of the film, reflected on the joy of celebrating her daughter’s first birthday. “Every parent deserves those moments,” she said, noting how the film transitions from black and white to color, illustrating the journey from hardship to hope.
The panel closed with a call to action, urging attendees to advocate for maternal health reforms and support movements like “The Ebony Canal.” “We need to heal from our hurt and emerge with hope,” Alaquiva concluded.
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\The Ebony Canal\,Adaeze Enekwechi,Charles Johnson,Darrell Gray II,Emmai Alaquiva,Lamman Rucker,Shari Lawson,Viola Davis
