By Kendra Bryant
Special to the AFRO
Wellpoint and Nadia Care recently hosted a screening of “The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Infant Health” at Morgan State University.
“We brought the red carpet experience here to our city of Baltimore, at Morgan State,” said Darrell Gray II, CEO of Wellpoint. “That was intentional, because far too often, the issues that impact Black maternal health are discussions that are clinical and are hidden behind doors in rooms that are far too distant or disconnected.”
The documentary, directed by Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Emmai Alaquiva and narrated by Viola Davis, tells the story of four mothers navigating maternal health challenges. The film was inspired by Nina Simone’s song “Four Women.”
“The film represents hurt, healing, but also hope,” said Alaquiva. “It’s not about gloom or wanting to attack doctors and nurses. There’s a level of joy associated with birth, and we all need to recognize that and point it out. It implores you to be a vessel.”
According to KFF, an U.S. health policy organization, Black women are more than three times as likely as White women to experience a pregnancy-related death. In 2023, the maternal mortality rate for Black women was 49.4 deaths per 100,000 live births, compared with 14.9 for White women.
Alaquiva has worked with Denzel Washington, Harry Belafonte, Kerry Washington and Colman Domingo.
The screening was followed by a panel discussion moderated by actor and educator Lamman Rucker.
Panelists included Shari Lawson, chair of obstetrics and gynecology at Howard University; Charles Johnson, founder of 4Kira4Moms; Alana Yzola-Daly, first-time mother and associate producer of “The Ebony Canal” and Alaquiva.
The discussion focused on maternal mortality and a call to action for viewers.
“As an institution I think that medicine owes Black and Brown women and their families,” said Lawson. “The medical community must make up for the loss of trust, as it has been violated in so many different ways. From a historical perspective, the racism in this country has impacted the outcomes that we see today.”
Black women have served as midwives since at least the 18th century. Mary Frances Hill Coley, featured in the film, worked as a midwife and delivered more than 3,000 Black and White children in segregated Georgia.
Johnson founded 4Kira4Moms after his wife, Kira Johnson, died following childbirth complications. He said fathers and non-birthing parents should be included more often in conversations about maternal health care.
“The dads aren’t coming; the dads are here,” said Johnson. “They are often left out of the equation. There is this notion, particularly in Western culture and even in cultures around the world, that fathers are bystanders and that this is women’s business.”
A study published by the National Library of Medicine suggests that paternal involvement is associated with improved infant and maternal outcomes. Despite the demonstrated benefits of paternal involvement, fathers are underrepresented in research on maternal perinatal behaviors, child development and health outcomes.
“We want to not just improve but eradicate the maternal mortality crisis,” said Johnson. “In order to do so quickly, we need to empower a new generation of fathers to understand that it’s not just about preparing for fatherhood, but it’s also talking to clinicians and helping them understand how to involve and share information with fathers.”
“Our task for you is to see yourselves in every mother and child.”
Yzola-Daly reflected on her favorite moment in the film: the celebration of her daughter’s first birthday.
“Every parent should be able to experience their child’s first birthday,” said Yzola-Daly. “The way the film transitions from black and white to color showed the hopefulness of it.”
The panel encouraged viewers to educate themselves and others about advocating for maternal health and supporting “The Ebony Canal” movement.
“Yes, we are hurt,” said Alaquiva.”But that hurt has to heal so that we can have hope. Don’t leave angry; leave with hope.”