What is the California Black Birth Equity Summit? The biannual California Black Birth Equity Summit (the Summit) is one of the largest gatherings in California dedicated to advancing Black birth equity and justice. First hosted in 2019 and again in 2023, the Summit is a highly anticipated convening for birth equity stakeholders in California and beyond.

Each Summit brings together hundreds of birth equity leaders, policy and government officials, public health professionals, philanthropists, clinicians, midwives, birthworkers, researchers, and advocates to raise awareness, build capacity, deepen collaboration, and highlight sustainable strategies to support healthy and thriving Black families. The hybrid convening (in-person and virtual) features expert keynote speakers, multidisciplinary plenary sessions, interactive concurrent sessions, strategic planning, meaningful dialogue, and opportunities for networking and celebration.

Now more than ever, coordinated and bold action is needed to address the inequitable treatment, experiences, and outcomes of Black birthing families in California. The 2025 Summit will highlight promising policies, innovative solutions, cross-sector collaborations, community-led strategies, and rest and restoration practices to accelerate birth equity and justice. Summit participants will leave inspired and equipped with actionable tools to support healthy and thriving Black families.

The 2025 Summit theme of <b>Rooted in Action</b> reaffirms calls for collaboration, accountability, and tangible strategies to transform systems and policies to prioritize healthy and thriving Black families. Purposeful actions are needed to propel impactful change. The theme also honors the long history of activism and partnerships to advance Black birth equity and justice in California from midwife Biddy Mason to the establishment of the Black Infant Health Program and the implementation of the California Momnibus Act (SB 65). The Summit will be held in the California capital of Sacramento to engage policymakers and shape policies to improve Black maternal health.

Summit Objectives:

● Amplify Black-led solutions to advance birth equity and justice in California
● Provide critical statewide updates on policies and programs impacting Black families
● Build attendee capacity to implement programs, policies, and care solutions for Black families
● Share actionable strategies to advance birth equity and justice
● Disseminate research and innovations to improve Black maternal health
● Compile program and policy recommendations that support healthy and thriving Black families
● Deepen collaboration and partnerships among stakeholders invested in Black birth equity
● Create space for community, healing, wellness, and joy

About Summit Leadership:
A multidisciplinary committee of birth equity leaders from across the state plan and convene the Summit with Kudumu Partnerships for Equity and Justice, the California Coalition for Black Birth Justice, and the UCSF Center for Birth Justice (formerly the UCSF California Preterm Birth Initiative) serving as the backbone organizations.

About California Coalition for Black Birth Justice:The California Coalition for Black Birth Justice is a statewide organization that is committed to unifying and strengthening the Black birth justice movement. The Coalition is focused on serving as a statewide connector and convener, strengthening the Black birth justice workforce, and working with health care organizations to advance birth equity.

About UCSF Center for Birth Justice:
The UCSF Preterm Birth Initiative (PTBi) lives at the intersection of research, community partnerships, and education to create positive change alongside Black and Brown families in order to end racial disparities in birth.