Moms Know Best. Let’s listen.
when moms take the lead, solutions follow. Forsyth County Birth Stories brings Black and Brown mothers in Winston-Salem together in an ongoing initiative for healthy birth outcomes. Black mothers are the heart of our communities. By listening to their birthing and parenting experiences and honoring their wisdom, we can take meaningful steps toward more equitable birth outcomes—both in Forsyth County and beyond. There is power in sharing birth stories—whether filled with love, pain, trauma, or systemic injustice. Yet too often, the voices of Black mothers go unheard. Centering mothers’ stories empowers them to be changemakers— that is why we are here. Their lived experiences, shared bravely within families and communities, have helped uncover some of the most pressing challenges facing Black parents and children. These stories have not only sparked awareness but also led to the implementation of tangible, lasting solutions.
“I am so happy that this project is happening. It is giving a voice to women who may not have felt comfortable speaking up. This is truly a blessing.” —FCBS MOM
“As a young mother who didn’t have health insurance, I didn’t feel as if I deserved it. Coming here and hearing these stories has helped me become so much more confident in what I once considered a trauma.” —FCBS MOM
Photo Credit: Travon Gourdine
Story by story, improving the lives of moms and babies Among North Carolina’s largest counties, Forsyth has one of the highest rates of infant mortality—babies who die before reaching their first birthday The disparities are stark: In the 27105 zip code, Black mothers die at twice the rate of white mothers. Black babies die at a rate three times higher than that of white babies.
Traditional, top-down approaches have failed to move these numbers.
Forsyth County Birth Stories takes a different approach—working directly with moms, inviting them to share their stories and connect over shared experiences. These moms then engage with community stakeholders—including birth and healthcare providers—to implement solutions that are both meaningful and effective for families.
following a mom’s journey with FCBS Over several years, we’ve developed a purposeful process that empowers mothers to use their stories to spark change in their communities.
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Listening and sharing Mothers are invited into small group sessions to share their unique birth stories and listen deeply to the stories of others. Each session includes licensed clinical therapists— Black women with lived experience in the community—to ensure a safe space for processing and witnessing trauma.
REFLECTING Mothers work together to identify the deeper themes in their stories —and, critically, to envision how those insights can lead to real solutions. We provide support such as transportation, childcare, and meals to ensure every mother can participate fully.
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Stakeholder engagement Community stakeholders— including healthcare providers and local organizations—are invited into dialogue with mothers to better understand the challenges and collaborate on actionable solutions.
NarrativeS for health Together, mothers and stakeholders explore the broader systems and narratives that have shaped their experiences. Harmful beliefs and assumptions are surfaced and replaced with equitable, empowering narratives that inform and guide community-led improvement work.
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Circles of support Inspired to continue their
Improvement teams Mothers and community
journey, mothers form their own independent circles for ongoing connection, healing, and mutual support.
stakeholders partner to test and implement the ideas they’ve co-developed —driving measurable improvements in birth outcomes.
from trauma to triumph
Many of the mothers come to Forsyth County Birth Stories after experiencing trauma in their pregnancies and birth experiences. Often they’ve felt isolated in their experience. Alienated from the medical system. Ignored by those who are supposed to be caring for them. Coming together helps moms see that they are not alone. In sharing their stories, they understand poor birth experiences are not some shortcoming of individuals, but of a system that treats the most wonderful human experience as a problem to be fixed, that treats moms as patients to be cured and ushered away. By sharing their stories, moms can identify common themes that connect them. That connection is the fuel for them to work together to identify tangible solutions.
“Doctors and nurses made me feel violated. They didn’t explain what they were doing to my body BEFORE they did it. I never got a chance to ask questions or refuse things that I didn’t want.” —FCBS MOM
Photo Credit: Travon Gourdine
Common themes moms have shared include:
Being Devalued as a Woman, Parent, and Human. Many mothers describe not feeling heard—especially when speaking about their care, physical pain, or even the loss of a child. This devaluation is often compounded by their experiences as Medicaid recipients or in interactions with men and medical providers. Experiencing Mental and Emotional Distress. Mothers often feel pressure to appear strong, keeping emotions like fear, anxiety, and being overwhelmed bottled up. These feelings are rarely acknowledged or discussed—leaving many to navigate their pain alone.
In response, improvement teams have focused on solutions that prioritize self-care and emotional well-being.
One team of mothers and community partners co-created a comprehensive postpartum resource list to help new moms feel supported, informed, and prepared as they enter parenthood. Another team began a 4th Trimester Support Group to help new mothers ease into parenthood with support from fellow moms.
spreading stories, sharing solutions Bringing mothers together is like nourishing the roots of a thriving garden. Forsyth County Birth Stories provides the water and sunlight—but it’s the mothers who flourish, spreading new seeds and cultivating gardens of their own. Participating moms with ideas for community change are supported with Innovation Funds and resources for projects to reach even more mothers, and to share the solutions they’ve identified in their improvement teams.
Photo Credit: Antonio “The Media Guy” Davis
In their own words: Moms talk about their Innovation Fund projects
Melanin Mama’s Winston-salem Comfort Boxes “I plan to use the funds to support Black and Brown mothers from the 27105 and 27101 zip codes after birth. In most situations, once the baby comes, the mother is often overlooked, and her self-care is neglected in an effort to put the baby first. I would like to put together “comfort boxes” for these mothers.” Speak Up, Speak Out “We plan on using the funds to help support the community within the 27105-zip code with postpartum depression support. In particular, we plan to start a postpartum/ depression support group to help mothers and fathers in the 27105 community. Having a child changes your life and support groups can be very helpful to your mental health.” Melanated Makeovers 4 Moms “Mini maternity photo shoots are a basic description of my project but it’s so much more than just that ! Giving joy to moms and documenting the moment a stress free time to their self boost in self esteem and overall confidence to tackle all things to come in preparation for baby.”
“I appreciate being involved in something that means so much to women and families that look like me and in my community.” —MOM
forsyth county birth stories by the numbers Forsyth County Birth Stories Innovation Projects and Improvement Teams are the culmination of the moms’ work.
Since 2022 we have worked with of which 19 have launched 78 moms 17 innovation projects Rooted in their stories, moms create community initiatives that directly transform the experiences of women just like them.
Outreach and Direct Resources/ Supplies Education & Programming Advocacy Initiatives
Self-Care/Emotional Support Health & Wellness Initiatives
that have impacted over 2,600 members of the community (and counting!) through:
• Infant and maternity supplies • Maternal & infant health awareness and education • NICU family support
• Mental & physical therapy • Postpartum depression classes • Training and doula care
join us We are building the trust of moms to support their individual and collective journeys from trauma to power to progress . Forsyth County Birth Stories is a holistic initiative. When moms are supported to share their stories, we begin a process that will ultimately improve birth outcomes for families. Along the way, we’re growing the skills and experience for moms to eventually, and purposefully, work toward systems and policy change.
We’re just getting started. And we need your help to keep driving forward.
Together, let’s listen to black mother’s stories. Together, let’s make change for families.
Join us in supporting these powerful voices.
forsythcountybirthstories.com
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