Building power with precision
Building statewide strategy, alignment, and advocacy power across California with Black moms at the center.
Welcome, mama!
This is your place to find tools, resources, and actions to take part in the movement to support Black mamas and families in California. Powered by the Abundant Birth Project and MotherBoard.
This is bigger than voting.
This is about power—and who gets to shape the future.
Right now, decisions are being made about housing, healthcare, maternal support, and the resources our children need to thrive. If mamas are not engaged, those decisions will continue to be made without us and the same inequities will continue.
We cannot afford to sit this moment out.
But when we are informed, connected, and moving together, we become a force that cannot be ignored.
Mobilizing Black Mamas is about turning our voices and lived experiences into coordinated action. It’s about building collective power to demand and create the conditions our families deserve.
When Black women are informed, engaged, and supported to lead, policy outcomes change.
Civic engagement includes:
Voting in local and state elections
Understanding what policies are being proposed
Engaging with elected officials
Supporting and electing leaders who reflect community needs
Creating pathways for Black women to lead in public office and policy spaces
Because when we move together, we don’t just respond to the future—we shape it.
Felicia, LA County
Our policy priorities
We envision a future where all mamas are supported during pregnancy and postpartum. Some key policies California Black birth justice advocates support:
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Affordable housing
Advocate for adequate, quality housing for birthing families
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Guaranteed income
Provide financial support to birthing familie
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Legislative actions
See CA Birth Equity Connect to track all Black maternal health policies being proposed this year!
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Mental health support
Increase access to culturally concordant providers and services
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Midwifery and doula care
Expand access to care in hospitals and community settings
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Paid family leave
Ensure access to adequate leave for postpartum and bonding
Tiffany, Los Angeles County
“Black mamas and babies deserve to be prioritized, joy, and to be at peace.”
— Ameinah, Los Angeles County
When Black mamas vote we...
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Advance
care for Black mamas at every state of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting
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Change
local policy so birthing is healthier and safer for Black mamas
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Reimagine
institutions so that they center the experiences of Black mamas
Malinda, Los Angeles County
Marché, Los Angeles County
Join us
You have the power to make a difference! Join us in sharing your voice.
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Learn
Know who and what’s on the ballot.
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Advocate
When we show up, things change.
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Vote
Use your vote to make a difference.
“Black mama power means I can make a difference in myself, my family, my community, the country, and the world.”
— Yvonne, Los Angeles County
“Black mamas & babies deserve ease, peace, absolute presence, connection, and intentional prioritized care!”
— Akasi, San Bernardino County
2026 California state and local voter guides
We have identified voter guides that explain who and what is on the ballot, helping voters make informed decisions that support Black mamas and families across California.
County resources
Partner organizations have developed voter guides for June 2026 primaries. See here for county-level voter guides for your local elections.
Greater Bay Area
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Description: Progressive voter guide for Alameda, Contra Costa, San Francisco and San Mateo measures and candidates
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Bay Area candidate endorsements from California Working Families.
Los Angeles County
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LA County candidate endorsements from California Working Families.
San Francisco County
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The Pissed Off Voter Guide for San Francisco's June 2026 election
State resources
If you are registered to vote in California, these resources are for you! Learn about who is on the ballot and other state-level information for the June 2026 primaries here.
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State policy priorities from California Black Power Network
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State, county, local, and federal endorsements.
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Candidate endorsements from California Working Families for statewide elections.
Don’t see your county here? Come back before the 2026 November midterms for more voter guides!
When we show up, things change
Black families in California face persistent inequities shaped by policy, access, and representation. Black women are 2–3x more likely to experience severe maternal health complications, and Black infants are more than twice as likely to die before their first birthday compared to white infants. Black households also earn tens of thousands less in median income than white households, increasing the risk of housing instability during pregnancy and early childhood.
Access to maternity care is also shrinking. Hospital closures and consolidation have reduced labor and delivery services in some communities, creating maternity care deserts where families must travel farther for prenatal, birth, and postpartum care.
At the same time, Black women are highly engaged voters but remain underrepresented in elected office across local, state, and federal levels. There is a gap between participation and power. That gap matters because when we are not represented and engaged, systems continue to move forward without fully addressing our needs.
The solution is civic engagement, organizing, and representation. When Black women are informed, connected, and taking action together, priorities shift.
We have already seen what is possible. Black women leaders in California helped advance policies like the California Dignity in Pregnancy and Childbirth Act (SB 464) and the California Momnibus Act (SB 65)—efforts that improve care, address bias, expand maternal health and economic supports, and help create better conditions for healthy births and thriving families.
“I vote because I want a future where Black mamas…”
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“...can feel seen, heard, and protected.”
— Nichole, Los Angeles County
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“...have a voice that is valued.”
— Tiara, Alameda County
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“...feel safe, supported, and comfortable in our journey to becoming mothers.”
— Stace, Riverside County
Get out to vote
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Check your eligibility and register to vote in federal, state, and local election in just a few minutes. See if you’re registered.
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Know when, where, and how you’ll vote—early, by mail, or in person.
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Review candidates and issues so you can make informed decisions.
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Learn your rights as a voter and get support if you experience any issues.
About us
This emerging initiative is co-organized by the Abundant Birth Project and MotherBoard, in partnership with trusted allies across advocacy, policy, and research sectors.
The California Abundant Birth Project (CA ABP) is a guaranteed income program designed to improve birth outcomes by providing monthly, unconditional cash support to pregnant people at high risk of preterm birth. Originally launched as a San Francisco pilot, CA ABP has expanded to Alameda, Contra Costa, Los Angeles, and Riverside counties.
By reducing financial stress during pregnancy and postpartum, CA ABP works to address racial disparities in preterm birth and low birth weight while supporting mothers in making the best decisions for themselves and their babies.
MotherBoard is a Los Angeles County–based advisory collaborative of Black mothers with young children working locally and statewide to shape policies, programs, and systems that impact Black families.
Rooted in lived experience, MotherBoard centers Black moms as decision-makers, not just participants, in advancing solutions at the intersection of healing, advocacy, and sustainable systems change. Our strategies include leadership development, community power-building, narrative change, policy advocacy, strategic advising, and co-design with government, philanthropy, and community partners.
Our Partners
