Black Women are scared, nervous, and overwhelmed as they witness personal testimonies and troubling statistics that reflect poor and persistently worsening birth experiences amongst Black families. Social media’s amplification of this phenomenon, alongside national statistics, cultivates fear and leaves some Black pregnant women hesitant about seeking and accessing prenatal care. This prompts us to question: “How do we move forward”? How can we help alleviate fear and anxiety among Black mothers about giving birth? What if we visually showcase Black birthing families in a more positive light, amplifying their real stories and increasing empowering black representation in childbirth? This is how Black Birth Joy was curated.

Visual imagery is powerful and can be used to serve as a positive affirmation for Black birthing women. This photovoice campaign helps to buffer the oppressive forces of historical racial trauma that haunt birthing women today and continue to perpetuate in maternal and infant healthcare and outcomes. Black Birth Joy provides complimentary birth and newborn photography services in addition to a portrait album to BIPOC identifying families on Medicaid in Wayne and Washtenaw counties. The photographs are then developed and distributed in perinatal spaces where black families receive maternal health care in Metro Detroit.

Photos create conversations, conversations create change!