As we step into Black Breastfeeding Week, it's a moment to reflect on the incredible journey we've embarked upon together. For those of us at the Black Breastfeeding Coalition, every week is Black Breastfeeding Week—a continuous celebration of the strength, resilience, and success of our Black and Brown families.

Here's a glimpse of our recent meet-up with lactation support providers, where we work to elevate the needs of Black families and strengthen our community connections.

This August, we've witnessed inspiring moments that have reinforced our commitment to this cause. The Uplifting Black and Brown Lactation Success Conference at NC A&T was a powerful reminder of the impact we can make, especially when we gather at an HBCU that breathes life into our shared mission. Seeing Mama Bug from Reaching Our Sisters Everywhere (ROSE) receive the Human Lactation Award of Excellence was a highlight that underscored the importance of recognizing those who have paved the way.

Reflecting on our journey, it’s astonishing to think about how far we've come. From the early days of striving to establish a single peer-to-peer lactation support meeting for Black families in Durham to now celebrating the success of  MAAME's Pathway Three program, which has blossomed into a vital support system for Durham families. We're also thrilled to welcome Chris as a facilitator for our Ready Set Daddy conversations, which have become a crucial space for Black fathers to engage in this journey.

Our work has touched every corner of Durham, from historically Black neighborhoods to the broader community, as we’ve expanded Breastfeeding Friendly Childcare Programs. The Department of Labor's celebration of the PUMP Act is another significant milestone, ensuring that so many Black families are now protected to breastfeed at work. We're seeing HR systems begin to institute the changes necessary to support these rights, and with the evolving Title IX protections, students too are now better shielded and supported.

We continue to meet with school boards and advocate for the changes our Black families need. Our collaboration with community advocates at NCCU is a prime example of how we are pushing not just for compliance with new regulations, but for the creation of truly welcoming environments for students.

Our signs in parks across the city are more than just markers—they represent a significant shift toward normalizing breastfeeding in public spaces. Our work with the county commissioners has led to proclamations that publicly recognize the need for more support for Black families in Durham. And as we look ahead to our meeting with the Duke Health Lactation Team on August 27, we are focused on advocating for even greater change to support Black families within one of our most critical healthcare systems.

Together, we are making history, one step at a time. Let’s continue to uplift, support, and celebrate each other—this week, this month, and every week thereafter. 

The Durham County Department of Public Health is currently seeking applicants for a Bilingual (Spanish/English) Hybrid Community Health Worker to support the Improving Community Outcomes for Maternal and Child Health (ICO4MCH) initiative. The position will be 20 hours/week, $20/hour, and is funded through at least May 31, 2026.