Reps. Adams, Watson Coleman Reintroduce Black Breastfeeding Week Resolution

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WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) and Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12) joined today to reintroduce the Black Breastfeeding Week resolution (H. Res. 1416), aiming to garner national attention to the role that breastfeeding plays in improving Black maternal and infant health outcomes in the United States. 

Rep. Adams, co-chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, and Rep. Watson Coleman, co-chair of the Caucus on Black Women and Girls, are reintroducing the annual resolution to honor Black Breastfeeding Week, which began in 2013 to highlight vast disparities in the rates of Black mothers who breastfeed their children compared to white women. 

“One of the ways we can fight back against the Black maternal health crisis and the tragic, unnecessary loss of too many mothers and children, is by celebrating and uplifting Black Breastfeeding Week," said Rep. Adams. "All aspects of motherhood should be healthy and joyful for Black women and their babies. This important week brings national attention to the crucial role that breastfeeding plays in improving maternal and infant health outcomes and the importance of instituting policies that expand access to culturally-competent lactation support.” 

“It’s time for us to recognize breastfeeding as a health equity issue and hunger issue,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “Black women are pushed to formula-feed after delivery at astronomical rates compared to other women. As a result Black women have some of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in the United States. Black Breastfeeding Week helps us recognize this issue and those working to ensure all women have the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves and their babies.” 

"Black Breastfeeding Week represents the promise of health equity when powered by community action and the will of stakeholders” said Anayah Ayoka, Midwife and reproductive care expert, and cofounder of Black Breastfeeding Week. “It is an honor to amplify the voices of countless families seeking support in raising future generations with dignity!"  

“I am honored to support the re-introduction of this important resolution,” said Kiddada Green, Co-Founder of Black Breastfeeding Week and Founding Executive Director of the Black Mothers' Breastfeeding Association. “This is a critical step towards raising awareness, addressing disparities, and empowering Black mothers to embrace breastfeeding as a vital health practice. Together, we can create a future where every Black mother has the resources and support she needs to provide the best for her child." 

Black Breastfeeding Week was first celebrated in 2013, founded by community leaders Kimberly Seals Allers, Kiddada Green, and Anayah Sangodele-Ayoka. The resolution states that “in North Carolina, only 70 percent of Black mothers attempted to breastfeed in 2019 versus 81 percent of white mothers,” notes that “Black babies suffer over a 2 times higher infant mortality rate than White babies in North Carolina,” and that “low breastfeeding initiation rates directly correlate to high infant mortality rates.” 

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Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. represents North Carolina's 12th Congressional District (Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County) and serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Education & the Workforce, where she serves as ranking member of the Workforce Protections Subcommittee.