Project Ujima Inc

Black mothers deserve to be seen, heard, and cared for—every step of the way.

That’s why we’re coming together for Black Maternal Health Week 2026—to center their voices, their experiences, and their well-being.

This week is more than a series of events—it’s a call to show up, learn, support, and act.

At Queens Village, we are creating spaces for healing, education, and connection. From sacred gatherings for mothers, to powerful film conversations, to resources that support families—this week was designed with us, for us.

✨ We invite you to join us:
• Fathers, mothers, and families
• Healthcare providers, birth workers
• Community members who care

Because when we support Black mothers, we strengthen our entire community.

📅 Check out the flyers for event details
🎟️ Register using the links or QR codes provided
www.projectujima-inc.org/queensvillageakron

Let’s come together to listen, uplift, and move this work forward—together. 🤎

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Community Invited to Observe Black Maternal Health Week: Rooted in Justice and Joy

April 11–17 | Advancing Community-Led Solutions to Improve Outcomes for Black Mothers and Babies

Akron, OH — Community leaders, organizations, healthcare providers, and residents are invited to participate in Black Maternal Health Week (BMHW), April 11–17, 2026, a national observance dedicated to raising awareness, mobilizing action, and advancing solutions to address the maternal health crisis impacting Black mothers and birthing people.

This year’s theme, “Rooted in Justice and Joy,” centers the power of community-led solutions, reproductive justice, and culturally grounded care as essential pathways toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes.

Black Maternal Health Week was founded by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance to amplify the voices, leadership, and lived experiences of Black mothers while advocating for equitable systems of care nationwide.
Locally, the urgency of this work remains clear. Black infants continue to die at disproportionately higher rates than white infants, reflecting long-standing inequities in healthcare access, social conditions, and systemic barriers that affect families before, during, and after birth. In Summit County, the 2024 preliminary Black infant mortality rate was 19.5, compared to 5.7 among white infants — a disparity that calls for collective community action and sustained investment in community-led solutions.

Black Maternal Health Week creates space not only to acknowledge these realities, but also to uplift healing, connection, and hope.

A Week Rooted in Community, Healing, and Action
Throughout the week, community members and organizations are encouraged to participate in a series of gatherings designed to educate, empower, and celebrate families:
• Sacred Space for Fathers
A dedicated gathering uplifting fathers and father figures, recognizing their vital role in maternal wellness, family stability, and healthy birth outcomes.
• Community Film Viewing & Fireside Chat
A shared viewing of a transformative film followed by meaningful dialogue exploring birth equity, advocacy, and community healing.
• Provider Viewing & Conversation
A learning and reflection space for healthcare professionals and service providers focused on strengthening culturally responsive and equitable care practices.
• Community Outreach Day
Direct engagement connecting families with resources, education, and supportive services across the community.
• Mama’s Blessing Celebration (Closing Event)
The week will conclude with a Mama’s Blessing — an intentional communal celebration honoring Black expecting mothers through pampering, affirmations, gifts, and collective support as they prepare for birth.

A full list of events, locations, and registration details will be announced soon.

Call to Action: Join the Movement
Black Maternal Health Week is a shared responsibility and an opportunity for the entire community to take part in advancing healthier futures for mothers and babies.

Community members are encouraged to:
• Attend and participate in scheduled events
• Share information and raise awareness
• Support Black mothers and birthing families
• Partner in advancing reproductive justice and birth equity

Organizations, healthcare institutions, faith communities, and local businesses are also invited to partner and sponsor this important initiative. Sponsorship opportunities directly support community programming, outreach efforts, and resources provided to families during Black Maternal Health Week.

Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities
We welcome collaborators committed to improving maternal and infant health outcomes and investing in community-centered solutions.

To learn more about sponsorship opportunities or partnership involvement, please contact:

Contact Person: LaKesh Duke
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 330-529-5672
Website:

HOME | Projectujima Ujima (“oo-JEE-mah”): “To build and maintain our community together and make our brother’s and sister’s problems our problems and to solve them together.”

We’re honored to share some exciting news!

Project Ujima has been awarded a $25,000 grant from the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund through the Akron Community Foundation in support of our project, “Voices of Recovery: Peace Circles for Healing from Opioid Harm.”

This investment affirms something we believe deeply: healing happens in community. Through Peace Circles, individuals and families impacted by opioid harm will have space to be heard, supported, and connected as they move toward healing.

These circles create room for truth, compassion, and restoration—because every voice matters and every story carries the potential to help someone else find their way forward.

We are deeply grateful to the Akron Community Foundation and the Summit County Opioid Healing Fund for recognizing the power of community-led healing.

We look forward to partnering with organizations in this field and will connect with you soon.

The work continues. The circles continue. The healing continues.

Have you registered?

Click the link to register and ensure your voice is heard! https://www.unifyakron.org/events/community-circle-on-housing-2

With heavy hearts, the Project Ujima family acknowledges the transition of our former board member, Christian Bates. We are deeply grateful for the time, wisdom, and commitment he poured into this work and into our community. His service helped shape the foundation we continue to build upon today.

We extend our sincerest condolences to his family, loved ones, and all who were impacted by his life. May you find comfort in the memories you shared, strength in one another, and peace in knowing that his legacy lives on through the lives he touched.

We hold you in our thoughts and prayers during this time of loss.

— Project Ujima

We are hosting the 3rd night of Kwanzaa! We hope to see you and your family at this city-wide celebration!

We're also honoring 4 community leaders and organizations with the 2025 Crystal L. Jones Collective Work and Responsibility Award. Their commitment to uplifting our community and exemplifying principles of Ujima truly stands out, and we are excited to recognize their contributions.

Congratulations to Deputy Chief, Mike Miller, Dr. David James, Ebony & Kwa Hill, & Akron Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

We ended our time with our Summer youth! They learned all about the world of nonprofit, visited some community agencies, attended VIP meetings for Youth Violence, designed a mental health event for youth and completed Peace Circe training.

It’s safe to say we made an impression on the youth we worked with this year! Jobs for Ohio's Graduates,Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro

We are hosting Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up Watch Party this Thursday at Buchtel CLC from 4 - 6pm. Will we see you there?

In this powerful final episode of this season of Living For We: Keep Ya Head Up, co-hosts Marlene Harris-Taylor and Myesha Watkins turn their focus to Akron, Ohio — a Northeast Ohio city grappling with the harsh realities of gun and police violence. They sit down with community advocate Courtney Brown, founder of Winners and Leaders, and Taylin Ray, a high school freshman who was personally impacted by the violence. Taylin reflects on the loss of his good friend, 15‑year‑old Jazmir Tucker, who was shot and killed on Thanksgiving Day by police. There was an outcry of concern over the controversial incident, but the case is still being reviewed by local officials. Together, they also discuss how Courtney’s after-school program, including a transformative component called Man in the Mirror, is helping young Black boys see brighter paths forward.

Later, the conversation expands to include Minister Stephen Muhammad and Marcel McDaniel of Akron's Street Teams initiative, which uses Credible Messengers — individuals with lived experience — to mentor youth and interrupt cycles of violence.

Season 2 Trailer | Living For We: Keep Ya' Head Up In the Cleveland area, and in cities across the country, teens and young adults are dying in our streets – victims of gun violence. There's no question: it’s...

We’re closing out our Conflict Resolution Training and Fishing Workshop with an exciting Community Tournament — and you’re invited! Come out, cheer on our amazing youth, and see who reels in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place trophies. Let’s celebrate their hard work together! Will we see you there?

We are in week 3 of our Youth Conflict Resolution, Restorative Practice Peace Circle Training and Fishing Workshop.

This week we’re learning about being a Youth Mediator through role playing. Their closing affirmation: “We don’t take sides. We hold space. We guide. We grow.”

In our fishing workshop we’re learning all about tieing knots, bait and we’ll be casting in the water today!

Join us for our Community Fishing Tournament on August 2 at 10 am to see who takes home the 1st place trophy!

FREE! Join us and the Akron Urban League for our Conflict Resolution training and Fishing Workshop!

Scan the QR code to register or attend the informational session at the AUL on Thursday, June 26, 2025 5 pm.

REGISTRATION IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE!
Use the link below or call to register your youth ages 13-18! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSckcIk7MAqEHgUpCsb1t3KchiSxbs0lB4tUaYubsWYG0eW_lA/viewform