The Yearlong program will train twenty postpartum community doula leaders to serve Black Families to Increase Healthy Birth Outcomes
Washington, D.C. – (May 5, 2021) – The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) today announced a new partnership with global intimate apparel brand Knix, to launch the NOURISH (New Opportunity to Uncover Our Resources Intuition Spirit and Healing) Community Doula Training Program, which is designed to understand the intersectional needs of Black birthing families. NOURISH is a twelve-month training program facilitated in partnership with the National Black Doula Association to train 20 doulas from Atlanta, the DC/Virginia area and Los Angeles to serve and support 80 families with postpartum care.
Black birthing people are often overlooked, especially during the postpartum period, and are less likely to be screened for postpartum depression, even though they are 2 to 3 times more likely to suffer from mood disorders during the postpartum period. Additionally, according to the CDC, more than half of maternal deaths happen during the postpartum period and one-third happen seven or more days after delivery. However, studies have shown that support from a doula and/or family-centered care can improve chances of healthy birth outcomes and reduce maternal and infant mortality.
The partnership between BWHI and Knix developed because of the shared desire to provide support for new Black parents to receive the physical, emotional, informational, and tangible assistance required to manage the demands of postpartum care. In addition, the program will aid Black birthing people to have the support to heal and the information to advocate for themselves if follow-up care is required.
“This partnership is a powerful representation of the exponential impact that companies like Knix can have on changing the trajectory of maternal care for Black birthing people in this country through strategic partnerships, training and increased access to resources,” said Linda Goler Blount, President & CEO, Black Women’s Health Imperative. “Our hope is that the inaugural NOURISH program will continue to grow and will also provide data-driven insights that can inform innovative approaches to maternal and postpartum care for Black birthing people.”
Parties interested in applying for NOURISH can visit bwhi.org to complete an application.
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About Black Women’s Health Imperative:
The Black Women’s Health Imperative (BWHI) is a national non-profit organization dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice for Black women, across the lifespan, through policy, advocacy, education, research, and leadership development. The organization identifies the most pressing health issues that affect the nation’s 22 million Black women and girls and invests in the best of the best strategies and organizations that accomplish its goals. For more information, please visit www.bwhi.org.
About Knix
Knix is a direct-to-consumer intimate apparel brand that is re-inventing intimates for every stage of life. Through innovative products and a community-first approach, Knix is on a mission to empower people everywhere to live unapologetically free. Every product, campaign, and image that Knix puts into the world is tied to this mission that has been embedded in the company’s DNA since day one. Since its inception, Knix has been size-inclusive, offering sizes XS-XXXXL and up to a 42G in wireless bras, and has focused on using real customers on its website, ad campaigns, and social media. Founded in 2013, Knix is one of the fastest growing DTC brands in North America and is globally recognized as an innovator and disrupter within the apparel space. A Knix item is sold every six seconds and the brand was recently named Strategy Magazine’s 2020 Brand of the Year and 2020 Most Admired CEO. For more information visit Knix.com/Knix.ca and @knixwear on social media