[30 Second Overview]:
Watch the full recording of this LIVE fireside chat above or visit our YouTube.
The Crisis at Hand: The U.S. has the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with Black women facing nearly three times the risk of pregnancy-related deaths. Tragically, 84% of these deaths are preventable.
Charles Johnson’s Advocacy: Inspired by the preventable death of his wife, Kira, Charles Johnson founded 4Kira4Moms to eradicate maternal mortality through community empowerment, education, and legislative reform, including groundbreaking policies like the California Momnibus and the federal Preventing Maternal Deaths Act.
Community and Action: Events like OHCEngage Lives foster dialogue and highlight the importance of advocacy, education, and support systems such as doulas and fathers' involvement to ensure healthy pregnancies and prevent maternal mortality.
On Wednesday, November 20, 2024, Our Healthy Community hosted a LIVE Fireside Chat on OHCEngage addressing maternal mortality in the United States with 4Kira4Moms.
Featuring Charles Johnson, Founder of 4Kira4Moms, and Gabrielle “Gabby” Albert, the 4Kira4Moms Executive Director, this event shed light on the alarming realities of maternal health disparities and highlighted the organization’s ongoing efforts to create systemic change.
Why The Discussion on Maternal Mortality Matters
The U.S. faces the highest maternal mortality rate among developed nations, with approximately 33 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births in 2021. Black women are nearly three times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than their white counterparts.
Even more distressing, CDC research indicates that 84% of these deaths are preventable. These staggering statistics underscored the urgency of the discussion.
As host Faith Boone noted, “This is why we’re here today—to have this important conversation and push forward solutions.”
A Personal Story That Sparked a Movement
Charles Johnson’s journey began with unimaginable loss. In 2016, his wife, Kira Johnson, died following complications from a routine cesarean. Charles recounted how Kira, a vibrant and accomplished woman, was left to bleed internally for ten hours despite his family’s pleas for help.
“I began to share Kira’s story publicly in 2017,” Charles said. “And her story, along with the stories of other mothers who have made the ultimate sacrifice giving the gift of life, has become the catalyst to what I call the maternal health revolution.”
Determined to honor Kira’s legacy and prevent similar tragedies, Charles founded 4Kira4Moms, a nonprofit organization that seeks to eradicate maternal mortality through advocacy, education, and legislative reform.
Progress Through Policy and Community Efforts
4Kira4Moms has made significant strides in the fight for maternal health equity:
State-Level Legislation: The California Momnibus mandates implicit bias training for hospitals and expands Medicaid coverage to a year postpartum.
Federal Advocacy: The organization supported the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and continues to champion the Black Maternal Health Momnibus, a package of 13 bills addressing maternal health disparities.
Corporate Advocacy: Companies like Walmart are improving access to doula care for employees, an essential step in maternal health advocacy. 4Kira4Moms commends corporations leading the charge for improved benefits.
“We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished,” Charles said. “But we still have a long way to go.”
Building a Village: Community-Centered Solutions
The conversation also emphasized the importance of grassroots efforts and community involvement. Gabby emphasized the need to invest in doulas and midwives, suggesting that reallocating funds from extravagant baby showers could provide life-saving support for expecting mothers.
“It takes a village not just to raise a child, but to bring them into the world safely,” Gabby noted.
4Kira4Moms hosts empowerment events like the Black Maternal Health Week Block Party, which combines joy and education. These free gatherings offer resources like lactation support, connections to doulas, and mental health resources, all while fostering a celebratory community atmosphere.
Fathers: The Missing Link in Maternal Health
Another key discussion focus was involving fathers in maternal health. Charles and Gabby discussed how empowering men as advocates and first responders during pregnancy and postpartum can save lives.
“We do believe that fathers can be that first line of defense,” Gabby said. “If we bring fathers into the conversation.. it becomes a triangle, a three-legged trilogy that will help to end [maternal morbidity] it.”
To support this, 4Kira4Moms is developing a sports-themed educational platform for fathers, called 4Kira4Das that guides fathers through the six phases of childbirth and postpartum care.
OHCEngage: A Platform for Change
The Fireside Chat marked the beginning of more live conversations to come aimed at fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals, students, and advocates.
OHCEngage seeks to bridge gaps in the healthcare system by connecting community-based organizations and providing tools for education and advocacy. As an OHCEngage+ member, Gabby explained how 4Kira4Moms plans to use the platform to amplify their messaging and offer more resources to the community.
“We see this as an opportunity to create a dynamic space where people can engage, learn, and join the fight for maternal health,” Gabby explained.
Looking Ahead
2025 Block Party
The 4Kira4Moms Annual Block Party is coming up on April 12, 2025, at the Martin Luther King Recreation Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This incredible event is more than just fun—it’s an inspiring day filled with music, delicious food, and, most importantly, resources that could save lives.
This event is part of 4Kira4Moms’ mission to tackle maternal mortality by providing families with the tools and information they need to thrive. It’s an amazing opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate while supporting an important cause.
Introducing 4Kira4Dads
This year, 4Kira4Moms is also taking things to the next level with the launch of 4Kira4Dads: Paternal Centers of Excellence—a program designed to bring fathers into the maternal health conversation. It’s based on the idea that dads can be a first line of defense in recognizing critical health warning signs and supporting postpartum care.
The program includes a virtual platform and app that takes dads through six key phases of pregnancy and postpartum care with a sports-themed approach. It’s not just about knowledge—it’s about empowering fathers to take action and make informed decisions.
Key Takeaways
These are just a couple of examples of how through education, advocacy, and legislative efforts, 4Kira4Moms is driving a maternal health revolution. As Charles and Gabby eloquently put it: “This isn’t just a women’s rights issue; it’s a human rights issue. Either you’re a mom, or you have a mom. This fight involves us all.”
The conversation left attendees inspired and equipped to take action—whether by supporting grassroots organizations, advocating for policy change, or simply spreading awareness about the maternal health crisis. Together, we can work toward a future where every mother has the opportunity to thrive.
Get Involved
Visit 4Kira4Moms.org to learn more about their mission and how you can support this vital work. Connect with them on OHCEngage on their page, 4Kira Connect or email info@4Kira4Moms.com to learn more.
This live session was recorded and available for on-demand viewing on ourhealthycommunity.com, ohcengage.com, as well as the OHC YouTube page.
For more information on United States Maternal Mortality and OHC's partnership with 4Kira4Moms, you can follow OHC on social media.
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