Variety of support
About Us
Black Mothers United is a comprehensive program offering pregnancy support and case management services. We have been serving African American pregnant women in Sacramento County since 2013 with pride, diligence, and dedication. We empower women by providing them the resources to receive risk-appropriate maternal care. Research shows that African American women’s birth outcomes improve when they have support and access to unbiased health professionals and mental health services. The pregnancy coach services, doula care, and lactation support clients receive aid in reducing their overall maternal stress. Our unique approach to sisterhood coupled with advocacy is the gateway to African American women’s healthy birthing outcomes.
Meet Kenya Fagbemi!
About Me
Kenya is the Founder and Program Director of Black Mothers United (BMU), a Her Health First (HHF) program dedicated to reducing the high infant mortality rate amongst Black babies. She’s been with the agency since the year 2000. First joining HHF as a certified medical assistant, she often addressed the complex needs of Black mothers and has committed to helping Black women in Sacramento County reclaim healthy childbirth ever since. As a master birth doula and trained educator, Kenya has helped serve 578 pregnant Black women over the last six years, with 0 infant deaths in 2019-2020.
“We empower women with information, options, and an action plan, giving them the confidence to deal with whatever life throws at them.” – Kenya Fagbemi
Black women are more likely to experience complications throughout their pregnancies and into the prenatal stage. In Sacramento county, Black women had the highest percentage of low-birth-weight babies, 53.5% higher than the Healthy People 2020 objective, a federal government prevention plan reported by the CDC. Kenya’s role in BMU ensures that Black women have access to critical services, decrease maternal stress during the pre-and postnatal periods, and recognize the signs of early postpartum depression. She believes that Black women’s pregnancy experiences should not be attached to suffering and provides them with tools for resiliency and encouragement throughout their motherhood journey.
Black Mothers United wanted to ensure that we have a symbol that embodies and celebrates the cultural significance of Black mothers and their role in our families. The Black woman is often the glue that holds the family together. It is essential that Black mothers feel empowered and have the space to spread their wings and fly and not just endure. The butterfly symbolizes growth, beauty, and transformation. We thought it fitting to incorporate an Adinkra symbol called the Obaatan Awaamu, which means the warm embrace of mother and is in the center of the butterfly symbol. Adinkra originated in the Republic of Ghana and represented concepts or aphorisms (unique expressions of a general truth or principle).
This logo and its meaning are to project a feeling of pride in Black motherhood and the growth, transformation, and beauty in it, as it is in the butterfly.
Jameel Pugh (Creative Director)
The Black Mothers United symbol’s colors are representative of the many values that Black motherhood entails:
Teal – combines the calming properties of blue with the renewal qualities of green. It is a revitalizing and rejuvenating color that also represents open communication and clarity of thought. For Tibetan monks, teal is symbolic of the infinity of the sea and sky, while it is the color of truth and faith for Egyptians.
Yellow – the color of happiness and optimism, of enlightenment, and creativity.
Pink/fuchsia – symbolizes youth, good health, and playfulness. It’s the flush of first love and represents nurturing femininity.