BLACK LIVES MATTER.
We find ourselves at a decisive moment in history—one that calls for response and responsibility.
We start by authentically recognizing our inability to truly know and experience the world as another does, and we are mindful of the reoccurring and continuing traumas that the Black community is enduring.
In the United States, Black women and parents are 243% more likely to die during childbirth and the health inequities continue to show postpartum – with Black infants dying at double the rate of white infants and Black women and parents facing a 16% disparity in breastfeeding rates. Statistically, as soon as a Black baby is born, they are more likely to die than any other race, just because of the color of their skin. This begins in utero and continues until the day that human life dies, often all too early.
This is not ok. It was never ok. It will never be ok.
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network joins fellow organizations in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting specifically the disparity in the number of Black lactation professionals who are available to their community. We also believe in attaching actions to our words, and therefore are announcing the availability of five (5) full scholarships for Black aspiring lactation professionals, whether that be a 5-day course or to sit for the IBLCE exam. You may find the scholarship application here: https://www.appalachianbreastfeedingnetwork.org/black-aspiring-lactation-professionals-scholarship-application.html
We will continue to seek funding to offer scholarships to support this movement indefinitely and therefore ask our white supporters to donate to this cause. 100% of what is raised will go directly to a Black aspiring lactation professional. You may donate here: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=7DS8BZ6X8D86Y
In addition, we will waive all full membership fees for any Black individual that would like to become an Appalachian Breastfeeding Network member, gaining access to 12 CERPs via webinar annually. In order to do so, please fill out the membership form below.
We will continue to self-reflect and self-critique our own set of implicit and explicit biases as individuals and as an organization, while recognizing the need for equitable access to the lactation field in general.
We have a lot of work to do and we hope you will join us in this fight.
In solidarity,
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Board Members
We start by authentically recognizing our inability to truly know and experience the world as another does, and we are mindful of the reoccurring and continuing traumas that the Black community is enduring.
In the United States, Black women and parents are 243% more likely to die during childbirth and the health inequities continue to show postpartum – with Black infants dying at double the rate of white infants and Black women and parents facing a 16% disparity in breastfeeding rates. Statistically, as soon as a Black baby is born, they are more likely to die than any other race, just because of the color of their skin. This begins in utero and continues until the day that human life dies, often all too early.
This is not ok. It was never ok. It will never be ok.
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network joins fellow organizations in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement, highlighting specifically the disparity in the number of Black lactation professionals who are available to their community. We also believe in attaching actions to our words, and therefore are announcing the availability of five (5) full scholarships for Black aspiring lactation professionals, whether that be a 5-day course or to sit for the IBLCE exam. You may find the scholarship application here: https://www.appalachianbreastfeedingnetwork.org/black-aspiring-lactation-professionals-scholarship-application.html
We will continue to seek funding to offer scholarships to support this movement indefinitely and therefore ask our white supporters to donate to this cause. 100% of what is raised will go directly to a Black aspiring lactation professional. You may donate here: https://www.paypal.com/biz/fund?id=7DS8BZ6X8D86Y
In addition, we will waive all full membership fees for any Black individual that would like to become an Appalachian Breastfeeding Network member, gaining access to 12 CERPs via webinar annually. In order to do so, please fill out the membership form below.
We will continue to self-reflect and self-critique our own set of implicit and explicit biases as individuals and as an organization, while recognizing the need for equitable access to the lactation field in general.
We have a lot of work to do and we hope you will join us in this fight.
In solidarity,
Appalachian Breastfeeding Network Board Members