Ashlei Spivey, Executive Director at IBeBlackGirl, and Stacey Penny, Senior Project Director at the National Institute for Children’s Health Quality, join us to discuss the key challenges black mothers face while pregnant and birthing. They share the work they are each doing to help improve health outcomes for black birthing people and women of color as well as some of the programs and initiatives that have been implemented to bring more awareness to and address the maternal health crisis in America.  The show features a number of programs and initiatives that can support a health system's efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality. Our show notes are available at www.centerhealthequity.com with references to the many programs mentioned in our conversation.