Details

Birth Justice & Community Leadership

Black and Latinx birthing people in Central Brooklyn face some of the steepest barriers to safe, dignified maternal care in New York City. Maternal mortality rates among Black women remain disproportionately high, and access to culturally responsive support during pregnancy, birth, and postpartum remains limited in the communities that need it most.

When: June 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Ancient Song Inc., 521 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY

Women Creating Change (WCC) is partnering with Ancient Song Inc. for an evening of community connection, shared learning, and leadership development. This workshop is part of WCC’s Central Brooklyn Community Workshop series and advances the organization’s commitment to healthcare equity and reproductive justice for women, girls and gender-expansive people across New York City. Ancient Song Inc. is a Brooklyn-based national birth justice organization that has trained over 2,000 doulas and works to eliminate maternal and infant mortality among Black and Latinx communities through culturally grounded care, community education, and policy advocacy.

Workshop

Why should you attend?

This workshop creates space for Central Brooklyn community members to come together around one of the most urgent health equity issues facing Black and Latinx families: safe, supported, and self-determined pregnancy and birth. Grounded in Ancient Song Inc.’s birth justice framework, the evening combines a community dinner with training on advocacy strategies which participants can apply to birth justice and any other issue important to them and their communities..

Attendees will gain:

A practical framework for moving from identifying challenges within the birth justice community to developing actionable strategies for change.
A strengthened collective capacity to advocate effectively for birth justice in Central Brooklyn while supporting long-term systems change.
Connection with fellow community members advocating for birth justice in Central Brooklyn.
Practical advocacy and leadership skills applicable to birth justice and beyond.
A free community dinner and an evening of connection and empowerment.

Who should attend?

This workshop is designed for Black and Latinx birthing people in Central Brooklyn, and is open to anyone invested in maternal health, birth justice, and community leadership. Whether you are pregnant, postpartum, parenting, a doula, a healthcare worker, a community organizer, or simply someone who cares about the health and wellbeing of birthing people in your neighborhood, this evening is for you.

Participant Experience & Benefits

Ancient Song Inc.’s work is rooted in the belief that all pregnant, postpartum, and parenting people of color deserve access to high-quality, holistic care regardless of their ability to pay. Through direct doula services, community-based training, and policy advocacy, Ancient Song Inc. has been at the forefront of the national movement to address implicit bias and systemic racism in maternal healthcare since 2008.

What You’ll Leave With

A deeper understanding of birth justice and the systemic factors shaping maternal health in your community.
Advocacy skills you can use immediately, whether for birth justice, healthcare access, or any cause you care about.
Stronger connections to community members and organizations working toward health equity in Central Brooklyn.
Knowledge of resources and support networks available to birthing people and families.
A sense of shared purpose and the confidence to take action.

Program Partner

Ancient Song Inc. is a nationally recognized birth justice organization founded in Brooklyn in 2008.

Ancient Song Inc. works to eliminate maternal and infant mortality and morbidity among Black and Latinx communities by providing direct doula services, training community members to become full-spectrum doulas, offering evidence-based education on birth and reproductive justice, and advocating for comprehensive policy change.

Their approach is grounded in a holistic and traditional foundation, centering the voices and experiences of the communities they serve.

FAQ

Let us answer any questions you may have!

If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to reach out to [email protected]

When & Where

When: June 26, 2026 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Ancient Song Inc., 521 Halsey Street, Brooklyn, NY

Who can attend?

This workshop is open to all community members. It is specifically designed for people of color in Central Brooklyn and welcomes anyone invested in maternal health, birth justice, and community leadership.

How much does it cost to attend?

The workshop and community dinner are free, thanks to support from Ancient Song Inc. and funding from the New York City Council Brooklyn Delegation.

When does registration close?

Registration closes on June 24 2026.

What should I expect?

The evening will include a shared meal and a leadership training session facilitated in partnership with Ancient Song Inc. You will build community with other attendees and develop practical advocacy skills you can use to advance birth justice and other issues important to you and your community.

Do I need prior experience in advocacy or birth work?

No prior experience is needed. This workshop is designed for community members at all levels of experience. Whether you are new to advocacy or a seasoned organizer, you will find value in the training and connection this evening offers.