Health & Medicine Policy Research Group and Black Midwifery Collective recently convened nearly 100 birth and reproductive health justice practitioners, advocates, and community leaders as part of an 18-month state strategic planning project to advance equitable perinatal outcomes across Illinois.

The convening created space for connection, shared learning, and collective visioning among those working on the frontlines of birth equity. Participants discussed challenges, shared promising practices, and built relationships to strengthen the state’s community-based birth workforce.

Following the large convening, 30 community practitioners took part in a day-long strategic planning intensive facilitated by Anna Yankelev, Health & Medicine’s Director of Strategic Workforce Initiatives, and Dr. Glenance Green of the Black Researchers Collective. Together, participants reviewed findings from three key assessments conducted this year—focused on the doula and certified professional midwife workforce, birth center sustainability, and doula training providers—and began mapping strategies for policy and practice change.

“Our communities have never lacked knowledge — we’ve lacked power and resources,” said Star August Ali, Founder and Executive Director of Black Midwifery Collective. “Historically, communities of color have organized to secure a seat at the table; this is a more formalized attempt to do just that. This process is about restoring both power and resources. When birth workers are supported, respected, and listened to, birthing people have better outcomes and better experiences.”

Insights from these discussions are helping shape a statewide framework to strengthen community-based birth work, expand access to equitable perinatal care, and advance reproductive justice. Over the coming months, Health & Medicine and Black Midwifery Collective will continue collaborating with community partners to refine and finalize the Community-Based Birth Justice Strategic Plan, with the goal of releasing the plan publicly in early 2026.

About the project
This initiative is part of an 18-month state strategic planning effort funded by the Illinois Department of Public Health to strengthen and sustain community-based perinatal and reproductive health workforces. Through this partnership, Health & Medicine and Black Midwifery Collective are leading research, convenings, and stakeholder engagement to inform a Community-Based Birth Justice Strategic Plan—a roadmap to support midwives, doulas, birth centers, and other community-based perinatal birth workers in improving birth outcomes and advancing health equity across Illinois.