Culture x Design plans to preview an expanded Black Birth Initiative for 2027 at its Nov. 12 Black Birth Forum in Milwaukee. The forum brings together families, birth workers, health care providers and community leaders to talk about what better support could look like during pregnancy and after birth.
What the forum will cover
The organizer’s agenda includes findings from a Wisconsin maternal health workforce assessment that Culture x Design conducted with support from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. The forum will also look back at the 2026 Black Birth Symposium and preview programming for the year ahead.
Behind the workforce discussion is a practical question for families. Who can they turn to during pregnancy, at birth and in the months after they bring a baby home? Birth workers and health care teams each have a role in making that support easier to find.
Milwaukee’s new maternal and infant health plan
On Nov. 11, the City of Milwaukee Health Department released its own maternal and child health plan for 2026 through 2030. It focuses on improving maternal health, reducing infant deaths and reducing the number of babies born early. The city says it will begin by working with residents, health care providers and community organizations.
From 2019 through 2022, Milwaukee recorded 9.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Infant mortality measures deaths before a baby’s first birthday. The health department reports that the risk for Black infants who are not Hispanic was about two and a half times the risk for white infants who are not Hispanic. That gap shows why the work matters for Black families in Milwaukee.
Find support in Milwaukee
If you’re pregnant, caring for a new baby or helping someone who is, start with HealthyMKE’s Connect to Care guide to find local clinics and help getting coverage. You can ask a clinic about pregnancy care, care after birth and appointments for your baby.
Sources
Culture x Design’s Black Birth Forum agenda
Milwaukee Health Department’s maternal and child health plan announcement
Milwaukee Health Department’s infant mortality data