On behalf of Breastfeed Durham and the Black Breastfeeding Coalition, we would like to sincerely thank you, Durham County Commissioners, for your generous support of our Capacity Building for Black Breastfeeding Families initiative, made possible through ARPA funding. The Durham County Commissioners investment in this work has helped create a healthier, more equitable community for all families in Durham.
Thanks to the Durham County Commissioners vision and leadership, Breastfeed Durham has been able to make tremendous progress in addressing the needs of breastfeeding families, particularly those from historically marginalized communities. During these past 2 years, we surpassed many of our original goals and created sustainable change that will continue to impact families for years to come.
These achievements were only possible because of Durham County Commissioners commitment to public health and your belief in the power of community-driven solutions. Your continued support has helped Durham lead the way in creating a truly breastfeeding-friendly community that uplifts and empowers every family.
We are excited to continue this important work, building on the foundation we’ve created together. Thank you again for your trust and partnership in this journey toward equity and health for all families in Durham.
The past year has been a remarkable journey for Breastfeed Durham’s Black Breastfeeding Coalition. What began as a response to the deepening challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic evolved into a transformative project, changing the way our community supports breastfeeding families. The ARPA-funded initiative was grounded in three primary goals, each designed to address systemic gaps and create sustainable change. Here’s the story of how we turned these goals into action.
- 160 Culturally Competent Digital and Printed Materials Developed
We created a wealth of culturally affirming resources tailored to meet the diverse needs of Durham’s community. These materials provided accurate, accessible, and inclusive breastfeeding information. - 19 Translated Materials in Spanish
Recognizing the importance of language equity, we translated essential materials to Spanish, ensuring that Spanish-speaking families received the support and guidance they need. - 1,007 Views of Learning Sessions on YouTube
Our virtual learning sessions provided valuable education on breastfeeding and community resources, reaching over 1,000 views. These sessions made critical information accessible to a broader audience and supported families beyond in-person events. - 40 Remodeled Lactation Spaces
We collaborated with local businesses, schools, and community organizations to remodel 40 lactation spaces. These comfortable, private areas ensure that breastfeeding parents have the support they need at work and in public spaces. - 134 New Breastfeeding Friendly Community Partners (Expectation: 34)
Our outreach efforts engaged over 130 new community partners, including businesses and organizations that have committed to creating welcoming spaces for breastfeeding families. - 85 New Breastfeeding Friendly Employers (Expectation: 34)
In partnership with employers across Durham, we helped 85 businesses implement lactation policies and set up workplace accommodations for lactating employees, fostering healthier work environments. - 167 Lactation-Friendly Signs Installed (Expectation: 40)
We placed 167 signs across Durham County, making public spaces visibly welcoming to breastfeeding families. This included:- 42 Park Signs Currently Installed
- 9 Park Signs Scheduled for Installation
- 24 Breastfeeding Welcome Canvases
- 92 Breastfeeding Friendly Posters
Goal 1: Increasing Breastfeeding-Friendly Spaces Across Durham
Creating a welcoming environment for all families, particularly those from marginalized communities, was at the heart of our first goal.
We knew from the beginning that this work would be ambitious. The groundwork for some of these efforts had been laid as early as 2019, but funding limitations stalled progress. Thanks to ARPA support, we moved forward with confidence.
- Designing culturally appropriate signage: By the second quarter, we had collaborated with the Black Breastfeeding Coalition and Durham stakeholders to create inclusive designs that reflect the community’s diversity.
- Coordinating with Durham Parks and Recreation: By the end of the year, we installed 167 lactation-friendly signs, surpassing our initial target of 40. These signs were placed in parks, public buildings, and local businesses, turning Durham into a more visibly welcoming space for breastfeeding families.
- Business outreach: We digitally reached out to over 1,000 businesses and followed up with in-person visits. Door-to-door engagement proved the most effective strategy for building trust and helping businesses become Breastfeeding Friendly Community Partners. This personal touch brought 134 new partners and 85 new breastfeeding-friendly employers into the fold, far exceeding expectations.
The collaboration with the Durham Chamber of Commerce was a highlight, with the Chamber publicly promoting the importance of breastfeeding-friendly businesses during National Breastfeeding Month.
Challenge: Coordinating sign installation was no small feat. What seemed simple on paper required negotiating with multiple county departments, but perseverance paid off, and the community now has a visible, permanent network of breastfeeding-friendly spaces.
Goal 2: Providing Culturally Appropriate Support
Building a supportive community means ensuring families have access to culturally relevant resources and services.
Throughout the year, we focused on creating and distributing materials that met the unique needs of Durham’s diverse population.
- 160 culturally competent materials were developed, ranging from brochures and digital guides to videos.
- 19 materials were translated into Spanish, addressing the growing need for language equity.
These resources were just the beginning. We leaned into our network of 1,200 community advocates—healthcare providers, childcare professionals, faith leaders, and business owners—to spread the word. Every quarter, we hosted affinity-based meetings that brought together parents and professionals to discuss gaps in care and brainstorm new solutions.
We also held 10 monthly discussion groups, covering everything from lactation support for LGBTQ+ families to navigating breastfeeding in the workplace. These sessions were recorded and shared on social media, amplifying their reach far beyond the initial participants.
Highlight: Our quarterly community meetings created a unique space for open, honest dialogue about the intersection of breastfeeding and identity. These meetings were invaluable in building stronger networks of culturally competent care.
Goal 3: Strengthening Health Policies and Emergency Preparedness
Collaborating with healthcare leadership was essential to ensuring sustainable changes in policy and practice.
Our long-standing advocacy efforts with Duke University Health System and the Durham County Health Department gained significant traction this year. Quarterly meetings with healthcare leaders created opportunities to push for culturally competent policies.