April 16, 2025 Story by: Editor
A year-long survey conducted in Leon County is drawing attention to the challenges faced by pregnant and birthing families of color, aiming to improve Black maternal health in the community.
The survey, developed by community members in Southwest Tallahassee, gathered over 100 responses from local residents. It was spearheaded by Trishay Young—widely known as Mama Yatta—through her organizations Melanin Mothers Meet and Kairos Wellness. The data collected highlights the critical needs and obstacles experienced by women of color during pregnancy and postpartum.
“Postpartum moms are going through a lot, birthing families are going through a lot, and they’re not understanding the resources and tools that are privy to them,” said Young. “So we need to be able to survey to see what exactly their needs are.”
Despite its modest scale, Young believes the survey can have a substantial impact. The findings indicate that:
- 61% of respondents identified depression as a major concern
- 59% cited mistreatment by providers
- 70% pointed to substance use as a significant issue
- 59% also said safe neighborhoods are a key factor in Black maternal health
“A lot of times they’re overlooked and we’re not necessarily asking the right questions,” Young emphasized.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of women in the U.S. die each year during pregnancy or within the year following childbirth. Alarmingly, Black women are three times more likely than white women to die from pregnancy-related complications.
“It’s something to get us going so that we can create an action plan. It’s the right time to do so,” Young said.
In collaboration with Kairos Wellness owner Janicka Harris, the survey is being used to identify root causes and spark conversations about change.
“We’re going to continue to spread the word about the survey findings throughout the community and hopefully throughout the state of Florida,” Harris said. “It’s always helpful to get data and research the needs of the people in our community because that’s how we get thriving communities.”
Both Young and Harris plan to launch additional initiatives tied to Black Maternal Health Week, which takes place every April.
Source: WTXL
