North Miami Shines a Light on Black Maternal Health Crisis at 2nd Annual Symposium
By Julia Franklin
This past weekend, community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents gathered at the Scott Galvin Community Center for the 2nd Annual Black Maternal Health Symposium & Resource Fair, an impactful event led by Vice Mayor Kassandra Timothe. Designed to educate, empower, and mobilize the community, the symposium addressed one of the most urgent health disparities facing Black women today—maternal mortality rates outpace those of other racial groups.
The conversation around Black maternal health has gained national attention in recent years, with high-profile voices like Serena Williams sharing personal experiences of medical neglect and misdiagnosis during childbirth. These stories have helped expose systemic gaps in care, underscoring the need for local action. In North Miami, that action is taking shape through intentional programming like this symposium, which not only raises awareness but connects families directly to life-saving resources.
“This is why we’re bringing awareness to such an important cause here in our community,” said Vice Mayor Timothe during an interview at the event. “Black women are three times more likely to die giving birth.
Black health matters, family health matters, and fathers’ health matters too.” Her message emphasized a holistic approach—one that recognizes maternal health as a community-wide responsibility.
This year’s addition of a resource fair expanded the event’s impact, offering attendees access to healthcare, wellness organizations, and support services. The fair created a direct pipeline between the community and the care systems designed to serve them—bridging a gap that has historically contributed to disparities in outcomes.
Beyond statistics, the symposium fostered a space for advocacy and accountability. It reinforced the importance of listening to Black women, improving medical responsiveness, and ensuring equitable healthcare practices. As conversations continue both locally and nationally, events like North Miami’s Black Maternal Health Symposium are helping to turn awareness into action—one family, one resource, and one voice at a time.
