About the Event

Join us for a groundbreaking edition of Fireside Grand Rounds—a bold and intimate conversation on the alarming and persistent crisis of Black women’s mortality in America. This event is a call to reflection, action, and healing. It brings together public health professionals, advocates, researchers, and community voices for a candid dialogue on the structural, medical, and social injustices contributing to the disproportionate rates of illness and death among Black women.

Black women in the U.S. are more likely to die from childbirth complications, chronic diseases, and preventable health conditions than any other racial or gender group. These disparities are not the result of genetics, but of systemic neglect, institutional racism, economic inequality, and historical trauma.

What Makes This Grand Rounds Different?

Fireside Grand Rounds is not your typical lecture. It’s an intimate, community-centered space for truth-telling and testimony. We center lived experiences alongside research and data, and prioritize storytelling as a form of knowledge sharing and collective care.

Our format features:

• Personal narratives from Black women affected by the crisis

• Expert commentary from health professionals and scholars

• Facilitated dialogue on root causes, current data, and urgent action

• Audience engagement through moderated Q&A and collective response

• Healing moments that honor our resilience and cultural strength

Why It Matters

This conversation arrives at a critical moment. Amid growing concern over maternal mortality, the rollback of reproductive rights, and the impact of federal spending cuts on safety-net programs, the lives of Black women hang in the balance. These conversations must move beyond the data and into real-world action, informed by those most impacted.

Who Should Attend

• Public Health Professionals

• Healthcare Providers & Nurses

• Students & Educators

• Policy Advocates

• Community Leaders

• Anyone committed to health equity