Two key organizations in the Lowcountry dedicated to birth equity and birthworker advocacy for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) communities unite to present a weekend of events dedicated to advocacy and awareness focused on Black maternal health.
On Friday, March 21, 2025, Berkeley County First Steps will present AFTERSHOCK: From Grief to Empowerment - a documentary film screening, panel discussion, and community gathering. This event will begin at 6 p.m. and end at 9 p.m.
On Saturday, March 22, The BEE Collective will present its daylong Black Maternal Health Symposium from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Both events will be held at Trident Technical College, 7000 Rivers Ave, North Charleston. Registration is required and free of charge. On-site registration and check-in begin 30 minutes prior to start time for both events. All are welcome, including babies in arms. Free and ample parking is available. Food and refreshments will be provided. For more information and to register, visit berkeleyfirststeps.org and beecollective.co.
Berkeley County First Steps is poised to present the screening of Aftershock, a 2022 film directed and produced by: Paula Eiselt and Tonya Lewis Lee. Following the preventable deaths of their loved ones due to childbirth complications, two families galvanize activists, birth-workers and physicians to reckon with one of the most pressing American crises of our time – the US maternal health crisis. Following the acclaimed full-length 90-minute documentary, a panel discussion, moderated by Simone Lee of Berkeley County First Steps, will respond by addressing the crisis head-on and discuss ways to move forward by taking action.
"I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to partner with SC State University IMM and our other dedicated collaborators to address the critical issue of infant and maternal mortality in our community. A key part of our initiative will be the screening of a powerful documentary that aims to raise awareness and ignite important conversations about the challenges mothers and infants face. These partnerships are crucial to our success—together, we are taking meaningful steps to ensure a healthier, brighter future for families in our county,” says Berkeley County First Steps Executive Director, Ivory Mitchell.
Adrienne Frazier
The BEE Collective’s Black Maternal Health Symposium is a one-day event dedicated to addressing disparities in maternal health outcomes among Black mothers and families in South Carolina, with an emphasis on advocacy and action. Attendees will engage in hands-on workshops, advocacy panels, and interactive community action labs. A nationally renowned speaker and local experts will share insights on improving maternal health equity. Topics include: Maternal Health Disparities in South Carolina, Empowering Families and Professionals, and Preparing for Climate and Environmental Crises. The first 50 pregnant or parenting families to register and check in on-site will receive an Emergency/Disaster Go-Bag designed to assist with crisis preparedness. The symposium is expected to directly benefit 150 attendees, including Black mothers, parents, and perinatal professionals. By empowering families with resources and fostering a network of advocacy, the event seeks to improve maternal health outcomes, build stronger community connections, and influence policies for maternal health equity.
“Our symposium is a powerful step toward addressing maternal health inequities in South Carolina. By uniting families and professionals, we aim to build a beloved community where every family thrives. We are grateful to SC State University for making this convening possible,” says BEE Collective’s co-founder, Adrienne Troy-Frazier.
Speakers, participants, community partners, and activities will be announced, with a full schedule to follow. Both events are made possible with support and partnership from the following entities: The BEE Collective, Berkeley County First Steps, Southern BEE Alliance, Black Coalition for Safe Motherhood, and South Carolina State University. For additional information and to register, visit berkeleyfirststeps.org and beecollective.co.
Direct Registration Links
Friday, March 21, 2025 - Aftershock: From Grief to Empowerment - aftershockchs.eventbrite.com
Saturday, March 22, 2025 - Black Maternal Health Symposium - blackmaternalhealthsymp2025.
