8th ANNUAL BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH
CONFERENCE
“Centering the Role of Fathers in Addressing Maternal Health Inequities.”
April 4th-5th, 2025
WELCOME A Message From Our Director
It is my great honor to gather with you once again to advance solutions and drive change in the fight against the Black maternal health crisis.
This year’s theme, “Centering the Role of Fathers in Addressing Maternal Health Inequities,” highlights the powerful and often overlooked role that fathers play in improving maternal and infant health outcomes. Fathers are not just supporters—they are advocates, partners, and critical voices in the maternal health journey. Their presence and involvement can reduce maternal stress, improve birth outcomes, and strengthen family bonds.
We’re honored to showcase artwork from the exhibition, In Her Honor, by Omari Maynard—artist, activist, and advocate—dedicated to honoring the lives of women lost to preventable maternal health complications. In Her Honor fosters awareness, advocacy, and healing, urging systemic change to ensure no more lives are lost unnecessarily.
We are especially excited to present an exclusive Fireside Chat and Bro Chat, where we will engage directly with fathers and maternal health advocates to explore the barriers and opportunities in fostering greater collaboration. This intimate and groundbreaking conversation is not to be missed.
This conference is more than just a gathering—it’s a call to action. We are here to learn, to share, and to build lasting solutions that ensure Black mothers, fathers, and families receive the care and support they deserve.
Thank you for your commitment and for being part of this important work. Together, we are shaping a future where Black maternal health thrives.
With gratitude,
Ndidiamaka Amutah-Onukagha, PhD, MPH, CHES Director
Thank You
To Our Sponsors
Champion Sponsor
Advocate Sponsor
Supporter Sponsor
Platform Information
Access Via Link
On the event day, you will be required to sign in to the event site to access the virtual conference.
• Click on the Login option on the event landing page.
• Enter valid email id on the Login popup.
• You might also need to enter valid OTP (“One Time Password”, as received in email) on the Verification Code popup window.
Once logged in, click to enter the virtual conference.
Once in the Lobby you can access the Lounge, Auditorium, Exhibit Hall, and Info Desk by clicking on the signage or using the navigation bar at the top of your screen.
All sessions will take place in the Auditorium. Click through from the Lobby, or by using the navigation bar. Once there, you can view the full agenda by clicking on the image of the screen at the front of the Auditorium.
When sessions are starting there will be a button to join.
April 4, 2025
9:00 AM Conference Greetings
9:15 AM Director Welcome, Center Introduction
9:30 AM Advocacy in Action
10:20 AM Q&A
10:30 AM BREAK
10:45 AM “How does it feel to parent as a problem?” Perspectives of expectant and new Black fathers
11:35 AM Q&A
11:45 AM PANEL DISCUSSION
Fathers as Partners: Strengthening Black Maternal Health Through Engagement, Advocacy, and Support
12:15 PM Q&A
12:20 PM Afternoon Address
12:30 PM Lunch/Expo
1:20 PM The Partner Experience in Maternity Care: An Exploration of the Partner Role from Pregnancy through the Postpartum Period
2:15 PM Q&A
2:30 PM BREAK
2:45 PM Fathers, Partners, and Advocates: Reimagining Male Involvement in Maternal Health Through Art and Storytelling
3:35 PM Q&A
3:45 PM WRAP-UP
4:00 PM NETWORKING SESSION
April 5, 2025
5:30 PM Reception and “Bro Chat”
6:30 PM Welcome and Introductions
6:45 PM Fireside Chat
Speakers Changemakers in Maternal Health
Derek M. Griffith, PhD
Derek M. Griffith, PhD is the Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Population Health and Health Equity University Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He is a Fellow and Senior Advisor on Health Equity and Anti-Racism for The Leonard Davis Institute of Health Economics and serves as Chair of Global Action on Men’s Health and Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Men’s Social and Community Health. Dr. Griffith’s research focuses on racial, ethnic, and gender health equity, with a specialty in Black men’s health and anti-racism interventions. He has led research funded by the American Cancer Society, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the NIH. A co-editor of four books, including Racism: Science and Tools for the Public Health Professional (2024), he has received honors from the American Public Health Association, the American Psychological Association, and Cell Mentor’s Community of Scholars.
Demetrius Grosse
Demetrius Grosse is an accomplished actor and producer known for roles in Straight Outta Compton (Rock), HBO’s Banshee (Deputy Emmett Yawners), 13 Hours, Rampage, Justified, Westworld, and Fear the Walking Dead. He began acting at age 10 through the Summer Musical Theater Workshop and studied at Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Drama, Howard University’s College of Fine Arts, and the British American Drama Academy in Oxford. Grosse will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Eric Williams/Grim Reaper in Disney+’s Wonder Man. He and his wife, Ashley-Nicole, are proud parents of four children, all born through natural births. Grosse co-founded Tahda Baby, a platform that connects families with birth and fertility practitioners. Known for his versatility, Grosse continues to captivate audiences across film and television.
Kenn Harris
Kenn Harris is a 2024 Aspen Institute Ascend Fellow and recipient of the 2024 APHA Martha May Eliot Award. He is the principal of The Emu Consultants, LLC, guided by the philosophy “looking back to leap forward.” Kenn previously served as Vice President for Engagement and Community Partnerships at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality (NICHQ), where he led the Healthy Start TA & Support Center, supporting over 100 grantees nationwide to address racial and ethnic health disparities in birth outcomes. With nearly 35 years in maternal and child health (MCH), Kenn has advanced fatherhood and men’s health in MCH services. He co-created the Core Adaptive Model for Fatherhood (CAM©) and partners with the National Partnership for Community Leadership on fatherhood programs. He co-authored The Health of Young African American Men (JAMA, 2015) and continues to drive equitable health outcomes for families and communities.
Charles Johnson
Charles Johnson turned tragedy into purpose after the death of his wife, Kira, in April 2016 following the birth of their second child. Despite Charles’ pleas, hospital staff failed to address Kira’s complications, leading to her preventable death. In response, Charles founded 4Kira4Moms to prevent birth-related deaths and improve maternal health. The nonprofit advocates for stronger maternal health policies, educates the public on maternal mortality, provides peer support to affected families, and frames maternal mortality as a human rights issue. Charles has shared his story nationally, including at the March for Moms rally in Washington, D.C., and testified before Congress to help pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017. His advocacy has helped drive meaningful change in maternal health. When not working to improve maternal health practices, Charles is raising his two sons, Charles V and Langston.
Andre Nelson, MPA
Andre Nelson is a maternal and child health advocate focused on the vital role of fathers in addressing health inequities. As Senior Project Manager of Data and Evaluation at NICHQ, he has led efforts to integrate fatherhood into maternal health programming, improving family outcomes by addressing systemic barriers and promoting father involvement. Andre also serves on the board of the ARIAH Foundation, which supports Black men in healing from trauma and becoming active in family and community health. He coauthored Fatherhood in Maternal Child Health Programming, offering insights into engaging fathers within maternal health. Andre’s leadership has driven systemic change, strengthened support networks, and developed community-based solutions that position fathers as key partners in improving Black maternal health outcomes.
Hon. Brian Worrell
Brian Worrell is the Boston City Councilor for District 4, which includes Mattapan, Dorchester, and parts of Jamaica Plain and Roslindale. A native Bostonian, Brian was raised by parents who migrated to the United States from Jamaica and Barbados in search of the American dream. As Vice President of the Council and Chair of the Ways & Means Committee, Councilor Worrell has successfully advocated for additional investments in housing, small business, quality of life, college and career readiness, and community safety. He has been a strong advocate of black maternal health, securing city grants programs for local providers each of the past two budget cycles.
Speakers Changemakers in Maternal Health
Hon. Christopher Worrell
Christopher Worrell is the State Representative for Massachusetts’ 5th Suffolk District and a passionate advocate for Black maternal health. Born in Dorchester to Jamaican and Barbadian immigrants, Worrell is deeply committed to equity and community engagement. As a Black father and husband, he has tirelessly championed maternal health and other health issues affecting the Black community, including sickle cell, diabetes, and heart disease. Serving as the only Black member of the Joint Committee on Healthcare Financing, Worrell played a key role in passing the 2024 Maternal Health Bill, which expands MassHealth coverage to include midwifery and doula services, postpartum depression screenings, and universal postpartum home visits. He also pushed for an amendment to record and report Black maternal morbidity data to guide policy improvements. Worrell and his wife, Suzette, are raising their three children in Dorchester’s Grove Hall, where their love for family and community drives his work.
Omari Maynard
Omari Maynard is a father, artist, activist, and culture strategist, featured in the award-winning documentary Aftershock (Hulu). His advocacy on maternal health, fatherhood, and artivism has been highlighted on platforms like Good Morning America, The Breakfast Club, and The New York Times. Omari has earned a Dupont Columbia Award, Peabody Award, and Emmy nomination. A graduate of Hampton University (Marketing), University of Central Florida (MBA, Sport Business), and Long Island University (Special Education), he worked in sports and education for over 20 years before becoming a full-time creative. In 2016, Omari and his partner, Shamony Gibson, founded Artfulliving, a lifestyle and event planning business focused on artistic expression. After Shamony’s tragic death due to medical malpractice in 2019, Omari co-founded the ARIAH Foundation with his mother-in-law, Shawnee Gibson. The foundation supports families affected by maternal and infant morbidity and mortality through mental, physical, and emotional assistance..
Omari J. Young, MD
Omari J. Young, MD is the Residency Program Director for the Brigham and Women’s Hospital/Massachusetts General Hospital Integrated Program in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Previously, he held the same position at the Hurley Medical Center/Michigan State University Program in Flint, MI. Dr. Young earned his B.A. in Chemistry from Kalamazoo College in 2009 and his M.D. from Howard University College of Medicine in 2013, where he was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed his residency at Brigham and Women’s/Massachusetts General in 2017. Clinically, Dr. Young specializes in General OBGYN and Complex Family Planning, managing high-risk pregnancies and conditions like uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Passionate about healthcare disparities, DEI, and medical education, he advocates for improvements in clinical learning environments for medical students, residents, and faculty through his work on local, regional, and national committees.
Exclusive “Bro Chat”
Fathers, Brothers & Allies in Maternal Health
Chimaobi Amutah, EdD
Dr. Chimaobi Obilo Amutah is a father, educator, and equity researcher with over 20 years of experience in education policy, practice, and research. He has worked for the New Jersey Department of Education for over a decade, supporting school and district improvement through data analysis. As a classroom teacher, he taught math and history to grades 6–10 and served as an adjunct professor for graduate students. His research focuses on educational equity, particularly parental advocacy and class. A Harvard graduate in African and African American Studies, Dr. Amutah taught in Mississippi through the Mississippi Teacher Corps, earning a master’s in curriculum and instruction from the University of Mississippi. He also taught math at KIPP charter schools in Arkansas and Pennsylvania. He earned his Doctor of Education degree from Rutgers University in 2017, where he was a two-time Martin Luther King Jr. Scholar. Dr. Amutah continues to drive systemic change in New Jersey education.
Brandon Frame, EdD
Dr. Brandon Frame is a visionary educator, advocate, and founder of TheBlackManCan, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to uplifting Black men and boys. He currently serves as a professor of Social Emotional Learning at Sacred Heart University. Dr. Frame is also the co-founder of #hiphoped and author of Define Yourself, Redefine the World: A Guided Journal for Boys and Men of Color and My First Tie. His work has earned him numerous accolades, including the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major Award, BET’s Next in Class honor, and Change Maker of the Year recognition. His contributions have been featured in Black Enterprise, Essence, the Boston Globe, and on CBS, NBC, ABC, BET, HLN, and NY1. A proud Bronx native, Dr. Frame holds a doctorate from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from Morehouse College. He remains committed to amplifying the brilliance of Black men and boys.
Exhibitors Our Sponsors
