Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association Will Continue to Reduce Inequities in Breastfeeding Support for Black Families

Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association (BMBFA) will continue to enhance community capacity and better serve Black mothers. This continued work will be supported by a new $275,000 grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation (WKKF) that will allow the organization to build community capacity and boost service to Black families. This support marks a pivotal step toward achieving greater equity in breastfeeding rates and improving health outcomes for Black families.

BMBFA’s community approach to breastfeeding focuses on narrowing the disparity gap that exists in breastfeeding rates. According to the State of Michigan: Michigan Breastfeeding Plan, 2021-2024, only 74.4% of Black children born in Michigan receive breast milk compared to 89.1% of white children. Strengthening BMBFA’s infrastructure will lead to long-term increases in breastfeeding rates, creating a significant social impact that enhances and restores the emotional, psychological, and physical health of mothers and babies.

“We are profoundly grateful to the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for their generous and continued support of our mission,” said BMBFA’s Founding Executive Director Kidadda Green. “This grant will enable us to make a significant difference in the lives of mothers and babies in our community. With this funding, we can enhance our programs and operations, ensuring that more mothers have the resources and support they need to successfully birth and breastfeed.”

“As we focus at the foundation on eliminating disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes in Detroit, Black Mothers’ Breastfeeding Association continues to be an important partner,” says Dr. Marijata Daniel Echols, program officer for WKKF. “They use their strong network of local, state and national partnerships, professional expertise, and personal experiences to serve the city’s families, as well as help build and sustain a high-quality birth and lactation support workforce.”

BMBFA will continue to build foundational networks of support and strengthen systems to overcome historical, societal and social barriers to breastfeeding success. With this additional support, the organization can enhance operations, build capacity, leverage resources and ensure long-term sustainability for its efforts to positively impact birth outcomes, creating lasting change in the community.

For more information about BMBFA’s programs and initiatives, visit https://blackmothersbreastfeeding.org/.