Building power with precision
Building statewide strategy, alignment, and advocacy power across California with Black moms at the center.
Welcome, mama!
This is your place to find tools, resources, and actions to take part in the movement to support Black mamas and families in California. Powered by the Abundant Birth Project and MotherBoard.
Be in the Know!
Astra sits down to talk about the importance of using social media as a tool to stay informed and learn more about the policy decisions happening in our communities.
Decisions that affect our children, families, and future are being made —with or without us.
Make your plan to vote by November 3rd, talk with your people, share what you learn, and bring your community with you.
Learn. Engage. Vote. Bring your people.
This is bigger than voting.
This is about power—and who gets to shape the future.
Right now, decisions are being made about housing, healthcare, maternal support, and the resources our children need to thrive. If mamas are not engaged, those decisions will continue to be made without us and the same inequities will continue.
We cannot afford to sit this moment out.
But when we are informed, connected, and moving together, we become a force that cannot be ignored.
Mobilizing Black Mamas is about turning our voices and lived experiences into coordinated action. It’s about building collective power to demand and create the conditions our families deserve.
When Black women are informed, engaged, and supported to lead, policy outcomes change.
Civic engagement includes:
Voting in local and state elections
Understanding what policies are being proposed
Engaging with elected officials
Supporting and electing leaders who reflect community needs
Creating pathways for Black women to lead in public office and policy spaces
Because when we move together, we don’t just respond to the future—we shape it.
Felicia, Los Angeles County
Mamas are the Influencers!
Baja reminds us that what we do as mamas influences our community! That includes showing up to vote, and making our voices heard on the issues that matter to us the most. Every election is an opportunity to build power. Don’t skip your chance to be heard.
Our policy priorities
We envision a future where all mamas are supported during pregnancy and postpartum. Some key policies California Black birth justice advocates support:
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Affordable housing
Advocate for adequate, quality housing for birthing families
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Guaranteed income
Provide financial support to birthing families
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Legislative actions
Follow CA Birth Equity Connect for updates on Black maternal health policies
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Mental health support
Increase access to culturally concordant providers and services
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Midwifery and doula care
Expand access to care in hospitals and community settings
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Paid family leave
Ensure access to adequate leave for postpartum and bonding
Tiffany, Los Angeles County
“Black mamas and babies deserve to be prioritized, joy, and to be at peace.”
— Ameinah, Los Angeles County
Let’s Make Waves!
Akasi reminds us how our health, homes, finances, and safety are all at stake if we DON’T vote. We have to make the demand for our humanity clear. Voting is about our wellbeing, and it’s how we advocate, build, and heal with each other.
Check your registration status if you haven’t already and make your plan to vote.
When Black mamas vote we...
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Advance
care for Black mamas at every state of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting
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Change
local policy so birthing is healthier and safer for Black mamas
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Reimagine
institutions so that they center the experiences of Black mamas
Get ready to vote!
See what’s on your ballot, explore voter guides, and more.
Malinda, Los Angeles County
JaNay, Contra Costa County
Join us
You have the power to make a difference! Join us in sharing your voice.
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Learn
Know who and what’s on the ballot.
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Advocate
When we show up, things change.
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Vote
Use your vote to make a difference.
Mamas are on the Move!
Yvonne reminds us that Black mama power means knowing how much influence our lived experience holds and how elected officials NEED to hear our stories.
Vote like your life depends on it, because it does! For more resources on how to register, learn more about what’s on the ballot, or make a plan to vote, explore our voter guide and voter resources. Because mamas are on the move this election!
“Black mama power means I can make a difference in myself, my family, my community, the country, and the world.”
— Yvonne, Los Angeles County
“Black mamas & babies deserve ease, peace, absolute presence, connection, and intentional prioritized care!”
— Akasi, San Bernardino County
Kabreshiona, Contra Costa County
Mama, County of San Francisco
When we show up, things change
Black families in California face persistent inequities shaped by policy, access, and representation. Black women are 2–3x more likely to experience severe maternal health complications, and Black infants are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday compared to white infants. Black households also earn tens of thousands less in median income than white households, increasing the risk of housing instability during pregnancy and early childhood.
Access to maternity care is also shrinking. Hospital closures and consolidation have reduced labor and delivery services in some communities, creating maternity care deserts where families must travel farther for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care.
At the same time, Black women are highly engaged voters but remain underrepresented in elected office across local, state, and federal levels. There is a gap between participation and power. That gap matters because when we are not represented and engaged, systems continue to move forward without fully addressing our needs.
The solution is civic engagement, organizing, and representation. When Black women are informed, connected, and taking action together, priorities shift.
We have already seen what is possible. Black women leaders in California helped advance policies like the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (SB 464) and the California Momnibus Act (SB 65)—efforts that improve care, address bias, expand maternal health and economic supports, and help create better conditions for healthy births and thriving families.
“I vote because I want a future where Black mamas…”
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“...can feel seen, heard, and protected.”
— Nichole, Los Angeles County
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“...have a voice that is valued.”
— Tiara, Alameda County
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“...feel safe, supported, and comfortable in our journey to becoming mothers.”
— Stace, Riverside County
Get out to vote
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Check your eligibility and register to vote in federal, state, and local elections in just a few minutes. See if you’re registered.
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Know when, where, and how you’ll vote—early, by mail, or in person. View important election dates here to make your plan.
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Review candidates and issues so you can make informed decisions.
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Learn your rights as a voter and get support if you experience any issues.
About us
This emerging initiative is co-organized by the Abundant Birth Project and MotherBoard, in partnership with trusted allies across advocacy, policy, and research sectors.
The California Abundant Birth Project (CA ABP) is a guaranteed income program designed to improve birth outcomes by providing monthly, unconditional cash support to pregnant people at high risk of preterm birth. Originally launched as a San Francisco pilot, CA ABP has expanded to Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties.
By reducing financial stress during pregnancy and postpartum, CA ABP works to address racial disparities in preterm birth and low birth weight while supporting mothers in making the best decisions for themselves and their babies.
MotherBoard is a Los Angeles County–based advisory collaborative of Black mothers with young children working locally and statewide to shape policies, programs, and systems that impact Black families.
Rooted in lived experience, MotherBoard centers Black moms as decision-makers, not just participants, in advancing solutions at the intersection of healing, advocacy, and sustainable systems change. Our strategies include leadership development, community power-building, narrative change, policy advocacy, strategic advising, and co-design with government, philanthropy, and community partners.
Our Partners
