Racial disparities in maternal health care represent a major inequality that needs to be addressed by promoting justice and addressing systemic biases and discrimination in institutions like healthcare.

In the US, Black women are 3X more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than White women. The pregnancy journey of Black women has been marked by persistent challenges and systemic barriers, creating a nearly impossible journey for Black mothers seeking safe and equitable childbirth experiences. Aster and Ashé Birthing Services are deeply committed to improving Black maternal health outcomes and addressing the systemic racial inequities in the healthcare system. They have joined forces to expand community-based maternal health programs and increase funding for pregnancy and doula programs. By promoting the Momnibus Act through the Impossible Journey film, they can drive Congress to the changes necessary that could improve Black maternal health outcomes and potentially save lives.

Impossible Journey, the project and short film and direct marketing campaign, tells the true story of Black mothers in America, through the lens of a stork. Throughout the delivery, the stork endures a gauntlet of dangers, representing the health risks expecting Black mothers face, which contribute to 3X increased risk of death. This is contrasted with the easy and uneventful journey of another stork, representing the experience of white moms.

Each scene is hand painted, and the film culminates with a live-action reading of an original poem by Bruce McIntyre, a dad who lost his partner, Amber Rose Isaac, during the delivery of their son in 2020. 700 of the 3,200 hand-painted frames were sent as direct mail postcards to members of Congress, state legislators, activists, and influencers during Black Maternal Week, inviting all to watch the film and support the passing of the Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act.

The U.S. maternal mortality rate is exceptionally high for Black women – they are 3X more likely to die from pregnancy-related issues than their White counterparts. According to the CDC 85% of those pregnancy related deaths are preventable. Black maternal health issues are not attributed to chance but to racism.

There is insufficient education about community-based birth workers, and their potential to provide culturally competent, respectful care that could improve Black maternal health outcomes and save lives.

By increasing knowledge through an educational campaign, amplifying impacted voices, reporting deeper on the issue, and prioritizing it in health policy, more awareness can be raised about this urgent racial health inequity in America's maternal care system.

Our call to action is to scan a QR code taking legislators and influencers to watch the film, hear personal stories, and read information about the Momnibus act.

We released Impossible Journey as an online film, but we needed to reach key decision makers in federal and state government, to draw attention to the Black maternal health crisis and push for support of the Black Momnibus bill.

So, we selected 700 of the 3200 hand-painted frames of the film to send as direct mail postcards to members of Congress, state legislators, activists, and influencers during Black Maternal Week.

And with 2500 frames remaining, we are armed to continue our outreach to remaining congresspeople, the top 1000 OB/GYNs in metropolitan areas, as well as hospital administrators throughout the country.

During Black Maternal Health Week, we chose 700 out of 3,200 hand-painted frames to send as direct mail pieces to Congress members, state legislators, activists, and influencers. These frames featured a QR code that, when scanned, would allow the recipients to watch the film Impossible Journey and support the Momnibus Act.

Our engagement rate for the direct mail was over 20% for opening and scanning to learn more, which represents approximately 100 lawmakers in a position to make change.

With 2500 frames remaining, we are armed to continue our outreach to the top 1000 OB/GYNs in metropolitan areas and hospital administrators throughout the country.

These are some of the testimonies from an influencer and a congressperson:

“A powerful way of raising awareness of maternal inequality and gathering support for the Momnibus Act”.