Black women in Mecklenburg County are five times more likely to die from pregnancy-related causes than white women. That’s not a statistic—it’s a crisis. And for Dr. Jonisha Brown, it’s personal.

After nearly dying of a heart attack days after giving birth—dismissed at first as having a panic attack—Dr. Brown turned her pain into purpose. She founded the Women’s Empowerment and Birth Equity Institute (WEBE), a Charlotte-based nonprofit that supports, educates, and advocates for Black women through every stage of their maternal journey.

WEBE has already reached hundreds of women, offering programs like “Just Between Us” for self-advocacy training and “Wellness Wednesday” for healing and stress relief. But this life-saving work can’t continue without strong community backing.

The maternal health gap is real. It’s deadly. And it’s preventable.

We call on the City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, local hospitals, and public health agencies to recognize Black maternal health as a public health emergency. Fund WEBE, expand its programs, and make sure no more women suffer or die from bias in the healthcare system.

Sign this petition to stand with Dr. Brown and the women of Charlotte. Together, we can make Black birth safe, supported, and seen.

[Photo Credit: Courtesy of Jonisha Brown via Charlotte Observer]