Updated March 18, 2026
2023 IN THE PRESS
The Resident has touched on many important topics throughout its run, but a 2019 episode was a heartbreaker that highlighted the maternal mortality rate among Black women in the U.S. BOBBIE FOR CHANGE ELEVATES ELAINE’S WELTERROTH’S BIRTH STORY
Welteroth’s Pregnancy Experience Highlights the Black Maternal Healthcare Crisis in America. Her Testimonial is a Resounding Protest Against a Healthcare System that “Simply Does not Advantage Black Women”
ELAINE WELTERROTH ON THE BLACK MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS AND WHY SHE CHOSE A HOME BIRTHTwo years ago, in Glamour’s Black Maternal Health series, we investigated the inequities Black women face during pregnancy and postpartum. ‘I DIDN’T KNOW THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ME’: ELAINE WELTEROTH SHARES BIRTH STORY
Welteroth is teaming up with Bobbie For Change to “change the narrative around this topic to invite more people to the table. That’s what I’m hoping my story does. HER HUSBAND SAYS SHE BLED FOR 10 HOURS INTERNALLY – THEN SHE WAS GONE
Five years ago, 11Alive published the story of Kira Johnson – a mother who gave birth to her second child and, within 12 hours, died from a hemorrhage. HIS WIFE DIED AFTER CHILDBIRTH. HE’S NOW DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO HELPING BLACK MOTHERS
When Charles Johnson’s wife, Kira, died after bleeding internally for more than 10 hours following a routine C-section in April 2016, he assumed his situation was an anomaly. HOW CAN WE SOLVE THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CRISIS?
A special three-part series of Public Health On Call shines light on the heightened risks faced by Black birthing people in the U.S., the history & racism behind this crisis, and what can be done to address it HOW ONE FATHER ADVOCATES FOR MATERNAL HEALTH FOR ALL
Charles Johnson was preparing to become a father for the second time. His wife, Kira, was a healthy, vibrant mother of one who had already undergone a routine cesarean delivery… HIS CHILDREN ARE ‘A CONSTANT SOURCE OF JOY’ AFTER HIS WIFE DIED FROM CHILDBIRTH
Charles Johnson continues to push to protect mothers with his own movement 4Kira4Moms, an organization fighting for Black maternal health. TACKILING BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH INEQUITIES DELIVER BETTER CARE FOR A BETTER WORLD
By joining Kimberly-Clark, you’ll be part of a company that’s committed to using its brands and resources to make a positive impact in vulnerable and underserved communities. ‘AN EXTREMELY LONG TIME COMING’: HUSBAND OF WOMAN WHO DIED FROM ‘BOTCHED’ C SECTION AT L.A.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched a civil rights investigation to assess a Los Angeles hospital’s treatment of Black mothers seven years after one woman died.. A BLACK MOTHER DIED AFTER CHILDBIRTH IN 2016. NOW THE HOSPITAL IS UNDER FEDERAL INVESTIGATION.
In 2021, maternal mortality rates in the U.S rose, and Black women, who are three times more likely to die during childbirth, were affected the most. MEDICAL STUDENT ORIENTATION SESSION SHEDS LIGHT ON SYSTEMIC HEALTH INEQUITIES
The Crucial Conversations session sets a foundation for incoming medical students around health equity and the policies that impact Richmond’s most vulnerable populations. HOW THE LOSS OF KIRA JOHNSON LAUNCHED A MATERNAL HEALTH REVOLUTION
When Charles Johnson IV accompanied his wife, Kira, to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on April 12, 2016, he never expected to leave there without her. WSSU, NOVANT PARTNER TO DIVERSIFY HEALTHCARE PROFESSION
Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) is partnering with Novant Health on a youth summit to encourage more minority students to pursue careers in medicine and healthcare. JUDGE HATCHETT & HER SON RAISE 2 KIDS FOLLOWING TRAGIC DEATH OF BOYS’ MOM AT 39 : ‘IT’S JUST NOT FAIR’
Television judge Glenda Hatchett stepped up when her grandchildren tragically lost their mother as young kids. She and her son have since fought hard to get them justice.
2022 IN THE PRESS
WORKING TOGETHER TO REDUCE BLACK MATERNAL & INFANT MORTALITYEach year in the United States, about 700 women die during pregnancy, delivery, or within the year following birth. Another 50,000 each year have spontaneous labor and delivery outcomes HUSBAND OF WOMAN WHO DIED AFTER C-SECTION SPEAKD ABOUT BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH
Charles Johnson became a maternal health activist after his wife Kira, died from childbirth: “There is no reason that Kira should not be here with her boys today” LEADING ADVOCATE AGAINST MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY SPEAKS AT GADDIPATI LECTURE
Charles Johnson, whO works to end the maternal mortality crisis in the United States, delivered an inspiring and passionate presentation to the Ob/Gyn department. THE DOULA EXPO BY MAMA GLOW RETURNS!
These last few pandemic years- one thing many mothers -to- be and new mothers have been missing is support. The kind of support that is BIG. TRUSTING YOUR BODY AND TEAM : THE KEY TO RECLAIMING POWER IN PREGNANCY
Every pregnancy is different—but it’s also true that, regardless of what you’re going through, you’re not alone. Families of color can face many challenges along their path to parenthood. THE BUMP CONTINUES TO HELP COMBAT THE MATERNAL MORTALITY CRISIS W/ EXPLANSION OF ITS BLACK MATERNAL
In the United States, Black women are three to four times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. That is one of the highest maternal mortality rates. ON THE FRONTLINES OF THE FIGHT FOR BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH EQUITY
Charles Johnson IV lost his wife, Kira, to this country’s maternal mortality crisis. After a routine c-section to deliver their second child, Kira bled internally for more than 10 hours. MOTHERS OF GYNECOLOGY HONORED IN BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CONFERENCE IN MONTGOMERY
the 1800s, the man known as the father of gynecology advanced the field through painful experiments on enslaved women. Now three of those women… STATUE CELEBRATES ‘MOTHERS OF GYNECOLOGY’ AT BLACK WOMEN’S BIRTHING CONFERENCE
Birth professionals from around the country gathered in Montgomery, Ala., to heal, to learn and to honor the lives and sacrifices of three women: Anarcha, Lucy, and Betsey… AFTER LOSING HIS WIFE TO DELIVERY COMPLICATIONS, GEORGIA MAN URGES LAWMAKERS TO DO MORE
Charles Johnson, IV says his wife Kira Dixon Johnson was thrilled about becoming a mother for the second time. “We’d even talked about how cool it would be to have boys…
THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH CAUCUS WITH REP. LAUREN UNDERWOODOne of the most galling examples of inequity in America continues to be the stunningly high rate at which Black mothers die in pregnancy and childbirth… A CALL TO ACTION : RESPONDING TO THE CRISIS OF MATERNAL HEALTH
In the U.S., Black women are over three times more likely to die in childbirth than white women. An online discussion will unpack how we stem the high death rates and fight back.
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