A free community luncheon coming to Oak Bluffs next month will bring together doulas, birth workers and families for what organizers say is a celebration of maternal care rooted in community trust and representation.
HealthConnect One, a national nonprofit focused on supporting pregnancies and births in Black, Brown and Indigenous communities, is hosting the Community Birth Support Luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from noon to 3 p.m. at the Barn Bowl & Bistro on Uncas Avenue. The event kicks off Black Breastfeeding Week and is part of the organization's "Doulas are for every body" campaign.
The luncheon will draw doulas and birth workers from across Martha's Vineyard and the surrounding region. Actress Naturi Naughton is expected to attend, representing Irth, a platform that connects families with maternal health providers. Birth Center Equity, another partner organization, will also participate.
"Every family deserves to be supported by people who look like them and understand their experience," said Dr. Twylla Dillion, president and CEO of HealthConnect One. "This luncheon is a chance to celebrate the doulas and birth workers who make that possible, right here on the Island. Birth equity starts with community, and events like this one remind families they are not alone."
The event is free and open to the public of all ages. Free parking is available on-site. Organizers are requesting that attendees register in advance through Eventbrite.
HealthConnect One operates across 20 states and has trained more than 1,000 community-based doulas and breastfeeding advocates. The nonprofit also works with community health workers on maternal and child health policy and partners with research institutions to track health outcomes and address equity gaps in birth care.
Doulas and peer counselors, often drawn from the communities they serve, have emerged as critical figures in closing disparities in maternal and infant health outcomes. Research has documented significant gaps in maternal health care experienced by Black and Brown families, making community-based support networks a growing priority for health organizations and policymakers.
Beyond training doulas and breastfeeding counselors, HealthConnect One engages in policy advocacy aimed at advancing maternal and child health equity. The organization has established partnerships with more than 50 communities, working to build local capacity for peer support and health navigation.
More information about HealthConnect One and its programs is available at healthconnectone.org.
