By: Isaiah S. Showell, Follow South Jersey Multimedia Journalist/’What’s Good’ Host
MERCHANTVILLE, NJ – The Joy of Black Birth was an event connected with a Black Maternal Health Week that took place on Friday, April 24, at Omega’s Restaurant in Merchantville celebrating Black maternity.
According to reproductive rights.org, in the United States Black and Indigenous women are more likely to die giving birth due to underlying economic and social inequalities. The Joy of Black Birth was designed to highlight the joyful parts of black maternity.
Kayla Lloyd of Abounding Love Doula and Ambrial Ugoji of The Cooperative saw to it that the ladies and doulas in the room were celebrating Black maternity while simultaneously keeping in mind the work still needing to be done concerning black maternity.
“It’s very important we focus on the joy side of it to uplift and bring back the empowerment side as well,” said Lloyd.
Lloyd also says when a woman is pregnant, if everyone knows their role as part of the birth team, things are better. A big part of the team is the father of the child. Evana Cooper, director of doula services with Virtua Health, encourages the point of fathers being an important part of the birth team and says fathers should not play on the sidelines during pregnancy.
“You are a family, you created this child together, and when you leave this hospital you will be together,” said Cooper. “In order for it to make sense it has to make sense for the both of you as a family.”
The owner of Omega’s Restaurant, Omega Ellis, said hosting the event is a full circle moment because she is nourishing the people with her food while the people are being nourished with more positive information about black maternity.
Dr. Kendall Albert, director of research for Ancient Song Doula Services, was getting interviewed on MaryNISSI Lemon’s live taping of her podcast Positive Birth Corner during the event too.
Check out the latest episode of What’s Good below.
- VIDEO: What’s Good in South Jersey? The Joy of Black Birth
- Camden’s Charter School Network Awarded American Water Charitable Foundation 2026 Water and Environment Grant
- Spring Fling Carries on Amidst Tragic Loss
Follow South Jersey provides local journalism which highlights our diverse communities; fosters transparency through robust, localized, and vital reporting that holds leaders and institutions accountable; addresses critical information needs; supports people in navigating civic life; and equips people with the information necessary to partake in effective community engagement. If there is a story or event you think we should cover, please send your tips to news@followsouthjersey.com with “NEWS” in the subject line.
