On September 11–12, 2025, KBEN hosted our 4th Annual Birth Equity Summit at the Heartland Conference, bringing together parents, caregivers, advocates, and professionals for two days of learning, connection, and action.

This year, we launched our inaugural Maternal, Paternal, and Child Health (MPCH) Track, elevating fathers’ voices and bringing in regional and national perspectives. We are grateful to our partners, including the Arkansas Birthing Project, the National Institute for Child Health Quality (NICHQ), and the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric, and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN, for helping make this track a success.

The Summit also featured KBEN Member Workshops, with 15 members leading sessions, panels, and roundtable discussions on advancing birth equity in our communities. Topics included Paid Family Medical Leave, Perinatal Mental Health Screening, and Food Access through Microgreens.

On Friday morning, attendees joined the Birth Justice Walk, where James Hogue issued a powerful call to action for clearing the way for families to have the birthing experience they deserve and desire.

We also celebrated community joy with the Annual Baby Photo Contest, honoring this year’s winner, Ja’Aire King-Parks. KBEN is proud to continue shifting the conversation from infant mortality to celebrating babies thriving in Kansas and the Kansas City metro.

Finally, we presented the Marc and Sarah Parrish Birth Equity Awards to Thomas Scott, MD, MMM, and Stacy Scott, PhD, MPA for their leadership and commitment to advancing birth equity. Both have been part of KBEN since the very beginning, and we were thrilled to honor their dedication to this work.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn, connect, and celebrate.

We could not do this work without YOU!

On April 19th, 2025, we closed out Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA)’s Black Maternal Health Week with power, purpose, and presence at Keeping Our Families Safe: Strength, Wellness, and Unity.

This year, we brought together parents, caregivers, and advocates, both in person and online, to foster a truly supportive and engaging environment. The event provided a unique opportunity to share lived experiences in maternal and paternal mental health, deepen knowledge through valuable community resources like the Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition, The Knitted Cherries, and Liberation Love, and collectively discuss pathways to equitable mental health and community care. Crucially, daycare was provided, empowering parents to participate fully and contribute their voices.

The panel, moderated by Shanelle Dupree, sparked a powerful conversation about what it means to truly keep our families safe. Panelists emphasized that when we support our families, we invest in a stronger, healthier future. The discussion explored the importance of self-advocacy, community support, and the vital role of resources like doulas in shaping our experiences—and our sense of safety—within maternal healthcare spaces

If you missed the event or want to revisit the conversation, you can watch the full stream.

On April 18th, 2025, community members gathered for An Evening to Pause and Restore -- a soulful celebration of rest, creativity, and joy.

The evening featured a vibrant painting experience, spoken word poetry, and handcrafted mocktails. Attendees also enjoyed Grumbles and Glitter, an expressive writing experience centered around the truth that self-care is both embracing the positive and releasing the negative. We came together to breathe, reflect, and connect—embracing the healing power of art, community, and intentional rest.

In a world that often demands constant movement, An Evening to Pause and Restore offered a much-needed pause. Through paint, poetry, and presence, we honored the beauty of simply being and the joy of doing it together.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for a night of restoration and celebration!

The third annual Birth Equity Summit in collaboration with the Heartland Conference was held September 20, 2024. The summit began with the Birth Justice Walk led by Sapphire Garcia-Lies, followed by a keynote address by Dr. Alicia Thomas. Attendees enjoyed a panel discussion on Birth Equity Across Communities, community research and resources presentations, and speed mentoring sessions with Dr. Alicia Thomas.

Birth Equity Across Communities Panelists were:

• Sus Jones
• Janice Ingram
• Ashley Gonzalez
• Stephanne Rupnicki

We were honored to recognize two recipients of the Birth Equity Awards:

• Joyea Marshall-Crowley, Section Leader, Wichita Black Breastfeeding Society
• Krystal Anderson, Software Engineer