Every Mother Deserves a Beautiful Birthing Story

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - April 3, 2023 - PRLog -- In recognition of Black Maternal Health Week, Jace's Journey (https://www.jacesjourney.org/). will host a film screening of Birthing Justice. The event will take place Thursday April 13, 2023 at Centrifuge Church located at 5600 Hwy 49 in Harrisburg, NC. The screening followed by a panel discussion will begin at six o'clock in the evening. The event is free; however registration is required and is available via Eventbrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birthing-justice-film-screening-tickets-573296684817).

Birthing Justice is a feature length documentary discussing the issues fueling the maternal health crisis within the African American community and advocating for best practices to enhance birthing equity for all women, especially Black women. Filmmakers explore this national epidemic in four regions— Washington, D.C., Augusta, GA, several areas in Missouri, and California, interviewing those affected by current policies, such as: birthing individuals and healthcare professionals, birthing advocates, activists and policy makers, in the forefront of advancing policy change. To learn more visit www.birthingjustice.com.

After the film screening, attendees will participate in a panel discussion moderated by Shanika Jerger Butts. Following the film's theme that "every woman deserves a beautiful birth story" the panel is comprised of healthcare professionals that contribute to that story. Panelists include: educator Lorenzo Hopper, doula Fametta Darling, midwife Sakina O'Huru, advocate Thyais Lewis and nurse Nykkessia Jones.

Black Maternal Health Week is recognized annually April 11-17. The week-long campaign was founded and led by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance​ (https://blackmamasmatter.org/) to build awareness, activism, and community-building​ to amplify ​the voices, perspectives and lived experiences of Black Mamas and birthing people.

As a testament to their birth story, Brandon and Tomeka Isaac founded Jace's Journey to honor their son; with a goal to raise awareness and contribute to improving maternal and fetal healthcare disparities. In May 2018, their son, Jace, was born prematurely and without a heartbeat. Tomeka was diagnosed with HELLP Syndrome, a disorder of the liver and blood. As she and her husband later found out, the condition can be treated with proper diagnosis and prevent sickness or death.

Since forming the organization, they have collaborated with several organizations and initiatives to share their vision. Tomeka has also traveled to Chicago to present at the National Maternal Health Innovation Symposium and Washington, DC to address the Moms Agenda at Mom Congress. As the foremost mission of Jace's Journey, Tomeka says " we are passionately working to eliminate maternal and infant health disparities through advocacy, education and community engagement."

For press and media inquiries, contact Tomeka James Isaac info@jacesjourney.org. To learn more about how you can support Jace's Journey in its mission visit www.jacesjourney.org.