Interview with CBC Founder on Birth Justice

In 2023, the preterm (premature) birth rate in Louisiana was 13.5% and was rated a grade F.

On the contrary, Saint Landry Parish had an improved grade of D+. According to March of Dimes, “The preterm birth rate among babies born to Black birthing people [in Louisiana] is 1.5x higher than the rate among all other babies.”

Various factors like external and internal stress, environmental racism, medical biases, diabetes, hypertension, unhealthy weight, and smoking can cause health challenges for birthing parents of color. In addition, the area lacked culturally competent maternal health education and support groups.

With determination, in 2012, the founder of Community Birth Companion, Devin “Divine” Bailey-Nicholas, took matters into her own hands.

“I don’t think most people were putting out the information that has become second nature now, that Black mothers and Black babies are dying at least three to four times the rate as their white counterparts, and that it was gaps in between [Doctors] seeing Mamas once they gave birth in hospital. So if we know that mamas were dying within a year after giving birth, yet, mothers really ain’t seeing a doctor until maybe six weeks. About that time, they’ve already created issues,” Bailey-Nicholas said.

CBC aims to empower and advocate for Louisiana families of color. Black and Brown birthing families deserve to experience a happy and healthy birthing experience and beyond.

“Breast milk is medicine for our babies, especially in the world and in this country, where our babies are often born too small and too soon,” Bailey-Nicholas expressed.

The Black Wall Street Times interviewed Bailey-Nicholas about the importance of birth justice, the need for birth doulas in Louisiana, breastfeeding, and CBC programs supporting Louisiana families of color.