The Village Voice: A Black Maternal & Infant Health Forum

Throughout America, Black babies are facing mortality at alarming rates before the age of one, Akron

isn’t exempt. In Summit County, 70% of babies who do not live to see their first birthdays are Black.

With this in mind, on August 30, The Arlington Church of God, 539 S. Arlington St. will host The

Village Voice: A Black Maternal & Infant Health Forum from 9:30AM-1:30 PM.

Jasmine Long, DO and CEO of Rooted in Grace, a Christian Black Doula organization will be the

keynote speaker Dr. Long is a board-certified obstetrician- gynecologist at the Ohio State University

Wexner Medical Center. She is passionate about cultivating reproductive justice and health equity for

underserved communities.

Following Dr. Long, there will be facilitated breakout sessions focused on the question how the faith-

based community can assist in reducing the infant mortality and maternal morbidity rate in Akron. These

sessions are designed to allow community stakeholders including faith-based leaders, new and expectant

parents, maternal and infant health professionals, policy advocates and community members to share the

perspective.

“There’s an African proverb that says, “It takes a village to raise a child.” More importantly though, “It

takes a healthy village to raise a healthy child.” The goal of the forum that our Wellness Ministry is

planning is like a reconnaissance mission to better understand the issues leading to the extremely high

infant death rate in the 44306-zip code area – what are the stories behind these deaths: which

organizations are already on the battlefield for this cause; and finally, how can faith-based organizations,

spread throughout the community in all shapes and sizes, be mobilized to contribute to solving this

problem? Opportunity is knocking at the door. I hope we answer it,” said Sheri Myricks, First Lady and

Communications Director of the Arlington Church of God.

The Village Voice forum is sponsored by the Arlington Church of God WellnessTeam with support from

Full Term First Birthday Akron and the Summit County ADM Board. Participants will receive continental

breakfast and lunch. Infant and preschool childcare is available. New and expectant parents will receive a

Baby Care gift. While registration is free, it is required and can be done by calling the church at 330-773-

Comments