I Be Black Girl

It’s Community Health Worker Week! ✨ In celebration, we’re highlighting the Community Health Worker (CHW) initiative, a virtual 10-day training program provided by IMPaCT Care. At I Be Black Girl, we focus on supporting Black women, femmes, and girls, directly influencing how we design and deliver our programming. Recognizing the underrepresentation of Black women and femmes in Nebraska, we specifically recruited them for this training. This project aims to cross-train full-spectrum doulas as CHWs, equipping them with enhanced skills and improving their employment prospects with our partner agencies. While I Be Black Girl does not hire CHWs directly, our partner agencies are dedicated to initiatives that promote positive outcomes for Black pregnant individuals. We plan to continue training doulas who complete the Doula Passage Program to become CHWs!

Happy #blackbreastfeedingweek! This week, we honor the power and beauty of Black birthing folks who choose to breastfeed. Here’s why you need to care: ✨Black Infant Mortality: Black babies are dying at twice the rate of white babies, often due to being born too small, too sick, or too soon. Breastfeeding can reduce these mortality rates by up to 50% ✨Diet-Related Issues: Black children suffer disproportionately from conditions like asthma, diabetes, and obesity. Breast milk is the best preventative medicine nature provides. ✨Lack of Diversity in Lactation: The breastfeeding field is overwhelmingly white-led, perpetuating misconceptions and limiting culturally competent support for Black birthing folks. ✨Cultural Barriers: Black birthing folks face unique challenges and a complex history with breastfeeding. Without education and support, we miss key information on the benefits of breastfeeding. The 2024 theme, “Listen Up! Reclaiming Our Narrative & Centering Our Stories for Breastfeeding Justice,” honors the power of storytelling to shift cultural norms in infant feeding in Black communities. This week is a call to action—to save our babies, support birthing folks, and reclaim our narratives. Let’s continue to support and uplift Black parents on their breastfeeding journeys, creating spaces where our babies and families can thrive.

Applications are now open for Cohort 3 of I Be Black Girl’s Doula Passage Program (DPP)! This 14-week DPP provides a unique, in-depth training experience covering every aspect of doula work—from pregnancy and childbirth to postpartum care. By the end of the program, you'll have the opportunity to become a Certified Full Spectrum Doula, where you can feel confident providing comprehensive care throughout the entire birthing process. So, are you passionate about supporting Black birthing people and their families in Nebraska? Maybe the DPP is the next step for you! ☺️ No prior experience is necessary—just a commitment. Space is limited, so don't wait! Apply now to join a community of dedicated Black birth workers. Submit your application here: https://lnkd.in/gjuJ23fv

Take a break from the work culture! 🍿 Join us for an Outdoor Movie Night at the Anarcha Center Courtyard! We’re excited to invite you to a special screening in the Anarcha Center Courtyard on September 6th at 7:00 PM. Bring your lawn chairs, popcorn, and blankets to enjoy a classic film under the stars. Please note that this is an adult-only event, and attendees must be 19 years or older. Security will be on-site to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all. Date & Time: September 6th, 7:00 PM Location: Anarcha Center Courtyard, 2306 N 24th St, Omaha, NE Register today: https://lnkd.in/gu-uPe_r Can you guess which film we’ll be showing? We can’t wait to see you there!😌

🚨Today, the Legislature is debating LB34, which now includes key components of LB1 (the tax increase bill). LB34 would create 70+ new taxes on everyday goods and services—such as hair care, veterinary services, local transportation, moving services, and storage services. These taxes will disproportionately impact hardworking, everyday Nebraskans – particularly individuals and families trying to survive on lower or fixed incomes. Hardworking Nebraskans deserve more than just a few weeks of the Legislature's time to consider a tax proposal that shifts the financial burden of funding our state onto middle- and low-income families. 🚨Contact your senator NOW and tell them to OPPOSE LB34! https://lnkd.in/gM4SXAqB

“It takes a village!” When it comes to building a more inclusive and equitable world, it absolutely does! 🫶🏾 At I Be Black Girl, we recognize that volunteers are so important in creating spaces of autonomy, abundance, and liberation for Black women, femmes and girls. That’s why we’d love to welcome you into our Beloved Volunteers Program so that we can better serve the community together! Here are the main three areas you can get involved as a Beloved Volunteer: 💛Events: Support IBBG-led and community events. 💛Advocacy: Engage in efforts like petition signing, call banking, and legislative advocacy. 💛Champion: Promote IBBG within your community and networks. And peep this—as a Beloved Volunteer, you’ll gain exclusive access to future events, merch drops, and more! 🙌🏾 There’s so much to learn about this exciting new program, so head to our website for more details. Sign up to be a Beloved Volunteer TODAY here: https://lnkd.in/g2hqRYa9 . . . #IBBGBelovedVolunteers #beavolunteer #ittakesavillage

We’re raising $1 Million for Black RJ with Black Feminist Future to directly support frontline organizations fighting for safe, accessible abortion care. 💸 RJ is a Black feminist solution to shift the material conditions of Black women, girls, gender-expansive people, and their communities. We are building power and shifting cultural norms because it is not optional. It is our duty! Help raise $1 Million for Black RJ here: https://ow.ly/ojtC50SKqQ0

ALERT: Yesterday, Governor Jim Pillen issued the call to Nebraska Senators for a special legislative session. This follows remarks from the Governor at the end of the regular session indicating his intention to address property taxes. Today marks the start of the special session. Senators will focus on tax policy over the coming weeks. We understand the impact these changes can have on our community and want to ensure you stay aware. As this special session progresses, we will continue to closely monitor changes and update you. Want to follow along? Head to https://lnkd.in/g5YvyZJc!

The 2023 Reproductive Justice Summit report is here! 🎉 Thanks to your support, the summit was a huge success. Check out the report now to see the impact and learn how you can get involved through sponsorship and volunteering.  AND ✨save the date✨ for our next RJ summit coming on August 21-22, 2025.  Dive into the report here: https://lnkd.in/gE2SAXJ4

Final Call: Apply for Our Doula Sacred Roots Retreat: Healing While Black! The application deadline is TOMORROW (7/19) at 11:59 PM. Don't miss out on this transformative experience designed specifically for Black women and femme birth workers! At this retreat, we will: 🌿 Cultivate self-care practices specific to the Black experience 🌿Create a safe and supportive environment for deep emotional, spiritual, and physical healing 🌿 Foster connections and solidarity among Black birth workers 🌿Explore the impact of systemic racism, discrimination, and intergenerational trauma on Black birth workers' well-being Join us for two days of healing, growth, and connection. 💕 Apply now here: https://lnkd.in/gSbijSJM