“Her Dreams” Sheds Light on Maternal Health Disparities Faced by Black Women in Pittsburgh

In Pittsburgh, as in many parts of the United States, maternal health disparities persist, with Black women experiencing significantly higher rates of maternal mortality and adverse birth outcomes compared to their white counterparts.

To shed light on this inequality faced by Black women, specifically in our region, Kangaroo Birthing & Maternity Concierge executive produced the documentary “Her Dreams- A Story of The Future of Black Birth.” This powerful and thought-provoking film will premiere at 6 p.m. on April 5 at Kelly Strayhorn Theater.

“As a birth doula, I found myself at the intersection of intimate narratives and systemic issues within the maternity care system, witnessing firsthand the disparities faced by women that look like me during their most vulnerable time. It was an inner call that the voices of Black women needed to be amplified,” said Syreeta Gordon, founder of Kangaroo Birthing & Maternity Concierge and Unshakeable Motherhood. 

The film, directed by Corey Lankford of CWL Creatives, delves into the lives of Black women in Pittsburgh as they navigate the challenges of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Through intimate storytelling and candid interviews, “Her Dreams” brings to the forefront the alarming disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes that disproportionately affect Black women, highlighting the underlying social determinants of these disparities.

Kangaroo Birthing & Maternity Concierge, a birth and postpartum doula agency, executive produced the documentary with New Sun Rising and RiverWise using creative advocacy to grow the cultural capital of this project and build community power. Gordon’s first project, Kangaroo Birthing, was a fundraising project supported by the One Northside Mini-Grant program, which led to her founding Unshakeable Motherhood to improve the maternal health outcomes for Black women in Pittsburgh.

“It was truly an honor to not only participate in the Her Dreams documentary, but to support Syreeta + Corey behind the scenes as they shaped the documentary’s vision and purpose through their participation in our Creative Advocacy Initiative,” said Jamie Johnson, Director of Programs at New Sun Rising. “Syreeta’s dream for this documentary is a reality, and my prayer is that it speaks to the reality of change for Black birthing women in the Pittsburgh Region and beyond.”

The documentary showcases the resilience and strength of mothers, doulas and maternal health workers as they share their personal journeys, triumphs, and tribulations throughout pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. 

Viewers will gain valuable insights into the complex factors that contribute to these health disparities, including systemic racism, lack of access to quality healthcare, socioeconomic barriers, and implicit biases within the healthcare system.

“Her Dreams” is a call to action, urging communities, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to address these disparities head-on and work toward equitable maternal and infant health outcomes for all. The film offers a platform for meaningful conversations and policy changes that can lead to better support, resources, and healthcare for Black women during their maternal journeys.

Tickets for the film are $10 and registration is required. Please consider adding a “Pay What Moves You” ticket value to support the “Unshakeable Motherhood Maternal Health Investment Fund” in their work to bridge the gap for pay equality for doulas and maternal health training for aspiring birth workers and aspiring midwives. 

Kangaroo Birthing & Maternity Concierge is a fiscally sponsored project of New Sun Rising.