Conference, Events
A Call to Action for Healing – The Black Birthing Experience
May
The SF Black Infant Health Program’s Annual Conference, titled A Call to Action for Healing – The Black Birthing Experience, was held today, May 19, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Attendees included Keynote Speaker, Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy and Guest speaker, Charles Johnson as well as a select group of panelists. Action Issues for the Conference included Cesarean Birth (C-section), Inductions, Maternal and Infant Mortality, Maternal Stress, Positive Birthing Experience, Pre-term Birth, and Racism.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy
Dr. Joy Angela DeGruy holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication, and two master’s degrees. One in Social Work (MSW), and Clinical Psychology. Dr DeGruy also holds a PhD in Social Work Research. Dr. DeGruy is a nationally and internationally renowned researcher and educator who for over two decades, served as an Assistant Professor at Portland State University’s School of Social Work and now serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Joy DeGruy Publications Inc. (JPD). She has over thirty years of practical experience as a professional in the field of social work.
Guest SPEAKER
Charles Johnson
In 2016, our founder, Charles Johnson, lost his wife, Kira, during a routine C-section at Cedar Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles, California. He founded 4Kira4Moms in 2017 as a response to his experience, to be a voice for other mothers and families facing unnecessary maternal loss and putting an end to the maternal mortality health crisis.
Charles Johnson worked relentlessly with Congress to pass the Preventing Maternal Death Act (H.R.1318). This milestone legislation is the first ever to combat the maternal death crisis in the United States. The bill was signed into law on December 21, 2018, and dedicated to the memory of Kira Dixon Johnson.
