Episode Overview

This episode of Birthincolor is dedicated to the important role of men in the movement for reproductive justice, birth equity and Black maternal health. We believe men, fathers and father-figures play a critical part in improving pregnancy outcomes among Black Mommas and babies.

Hosted and co-hosted by Dr. Marshara Fross and Z'kera Peoples, our guests include community experts, Mr. Michael Morgan, the Community Engagement and Outreach Manager at REACHUP, as well as Mr. Michael Thomas, the Executive Director of Family Support at One More Child. In this episode, we discuss strategies to engage men in the reproductive justice movement, the disenfranchisement of Black men and fathers, and the impact of fathers on pregnancy outcomes.

Birthincolor was created by the Florida Black Maternal Health Initiative at the University of South Florida College of Public Health. This project was supported by funding from the HealtheVoices Impact Fund at the Community Foundation of New Jersey and Johnson & Johnson.

Referenced literature

Alston, T. L., Davis, E., Rubio, D., & Norman, M. (2024). African American Fathers as a Solution to the Maternal Health Crisis. Social Work in Public Health, 39(7), 638-649. https://doi.org/10.1080/19371918.2024.2376091

Russell, K. N., Withrow, A., Voith, L., Vernon, C., Lee, H., & McKinney, S. (2024). Exploring low‐income, Black fathers' strengths and barriers to positive change using qualitative methods. Family Relations, 73(3), 1799-1822. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12956

Recommended Citation

Fross, M. (Host), Peoples, Z. (Cohost), Morgan, M. (Guest), and Thomas, M. (Guest). (2025, January 20). Men in the Movement: Engaging Dads & Men in Black Maternal Health. (Ep. 1) [Audio podcast episode]. In birthincolor. DJ Brightlight Productions. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/fl-black-maternal-health-