What if Black
mothers felt
safe and
confident
to make their own
birth choices
without oppresion
or judgement?
At HBC, we know Black
women are not broken.
The system is broken.
At HBC, we know Black
women are not broken.
The system is broken.
At HBC, we know Black
women are not broken.
The system is broken.
Deinstitutionalize Childbirth
Empower Community Midwives
Dismantle Obstetric Racism
Transform Public Health Research
Deinstitutionalize Childbirth
Empower Community Midwives
Dismantle Obstetric Racism
Transform Public Health Research
Our mission is to promote and advocate for access to midwife-led continuity of care models among unjustly served communities, increase the racial diversity of Certified Professional Midwives in Illinois, and raise awareness about obstetric racism.
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Download the One-Pager
This easy to read document can help you or others understand how our program through SB 1041 will significantly improve black maternal health outcomes.
Read the
SB 1041 Ammendment
Read about the Medical Voucher Program and Maternity Episode Payment Model.
“The Task Force on Infant and Maternal Mortality Among African Americans shall partner with Holistic Birth Collective to advise the Department of Healthcare and Family Services on the development of a Medicaid voucher program that is eligible for federal dollars to expand consumer choice for Black mothers that includes planned home birth services and in-home perinatal and postpartum care services…“
Check out the NPR Interview!
Midwives gain a victory in Illinois, but look for more
“’I come across women every day who want to have a home birth, but are unfortunately not going to be able to, specifically from culturally congruent providers,’ August said. ‘It’s just not an option. I feel like this bill is very much the beginning.’”
Did you know?
Evidence-Based Research
The Mapping Integration Study From PLOS
“Research suggests that integration of midwives into regional health systems is a key determinant of optimal maternal-newborn outcomes, yet, to date, the characteristics of an integrated system have not been described, nor linked to health disparities.”
Mapping integration of midwives across the United States: Impact on access, equity, and outcomes
Support Midwifery
Black mothers in the United States are dying at a tragically disproportionate rate to other mothers. With a national rate of maternal mortality 3-4 times higher than that of white mothers, and sometimes as much as TEN times higher in certain urban centers, Black mothers need multiple interventions to save their lives.
One proven intervention is receiving culturally appropriate and community-based care, in home, by Black midwives. In fact, only 2 percent of our nation’s midwives are Black.
