Empowering Knowledge: CDU Unveils New Black Maternal Health Library Collection

CDU students were also present and gave presentations around reproductive justice, postpartum depression, prenatal yoga, and breastfeeding.

The Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence (BMHCE) hosted a special event to unveil the Black Maternal Health Library Collection now available in the CDU Health Science’s Library.

The collection comprises 100 books intended to enlighten and empower readers. Some of the books include All About Love: New Visions by bell hooks, Black Feminist Thought by Patricia Hill Collins, and Under the Skin: The Hidden Toll of Racism on American Health by Linda Villarosa..

“The library collection is more than a source of shelves and resources, it’s the cornerstone of our center’s efforts to educate, to empower, and enact change,” said Shanelle Bailey, BMHCE Senior Program Manager. “It embodies our commitment to reproductive justice, offering everyone the knowledge needed to advocate for equitable care and the wellbeing of black birthing people and their families.”

The event provided an opportunity for CDU and community experts to share their contributions to the collection and for attendees to learn how to help curate the next phase. Additionally, CDU students were also present and gave presentations around reproductive justice, postpartum depression, prenatal yoga, and breastfeeding.

The Black Maternal Health Center of Excellence was co-founded in 2021 by Drs. Brandi Desjolais and Bita Amani. The center provides maternity care and support for over 250 families in Los Angeles County, empowering Black women, birthing persons, and their families to feel safe, respected, and informed through their entire pregnancy journey.

Click here to view the full collection. Click here if you would like to contribute to the collection.