BLACK
Maternal
Mental Health
Summit 2026

MAY 5 & 6, 2026 | 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PT Hybrid Event

Compton College 1111 E. Artesia Blvd., Compton, CA 90221

The 2026 Black Maternal Mental Health Summit (BMMHS) brings together clinicians, birth workers, researchers, advocates, and community leaders dedicated to improving maternal mental health outcomes for Black mothers and families.

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BECOME A SPONSOR

Provider or Clinician

6 CEUs Included

$250

Includes breakfast and lunch both days, swag bag, and 6 APA-approved CEUs. Fees fund free therapy for Black women in the perinatal period.

Student

Currently Enrolled

$100

For anyone currently enrolled in an academic degree program. School email verification required. Includes meals, swag, and CEUs.

Black Mother or Birthing Person

Community

Free

Free admission for Black mothers and birthing people attending in a community capacity. Includes the community baby shower on Day 2.

Virtual - Saturday May 2nd

9 AM to 2 PM

Free / $75

Free for Black mothers and birthing people. $75 for providers. Join from anywhere via Zoom.

    1,000+
    2025 Summit registrants
  
    9.63/10
    Average participant rating
  
    150
    Proposals received for 2026
  
    134K
    CFP flyer views across platforms

Why This Summit Matters

Closing the Gap in Maternal Mental Health

Black mothers face significant barriers when seeking maternal mental health support, including limited access to culturally responsive care. The Black Maternal Mental Health Summit was created to bring together professionals, advocates, and families committed to addressing these gaps and advancing maternal health equity. Together, we are building solutions that support healing, access to care, and stronger community support systems.

3 to 4x
Higher maternal mortality
Black women are 3 to 4 times more likely to experience pregnancy-related death compared to white women in the U.S., often driven by preventable causes including untreated mental health conditions.
1 in 5
Experience perinatal mood disorders
1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, yet Black mothers remain significantly more likely to be underdiagnosed, undertreated, and underserved.
49%
Experience mental health symptoms
49% of pregnant Black women experience mental health symptoms overall, yet access to culturally responsive perinatal mental health care remains deeply limited across the country.

What to Expect

A dynamic two-day experience designed to educate, connect, and inspire everyone committed to improving maternal mental health outcomes for Black families.

Expert panels

Hear from leaders in maternal mental health, reproductive justice, and community advocacy.
Breakout workshops

Gain practical tools and strategies for supporting maternal wellness in your practice or community.
Community Conversations

Engage in meaningful dialogue centered on the lived experiences of Black mothers.
Wellness Experiences

Participate in restorative activities designed to support healing and reflection for all attendees.
Networking Opportunities

Connect with professionals and advocates working to improve maternal health outcomes nationwide.
Continuing Education Credits

Earn CE credits while advancing your practice for licensed clinicians and mental health professionals attending the summit.
Community baby shower

Day 2 includes a community baby shower for Black mothers and birthing people with resources, gifts, and celebration.
Farmers market on campus

Compton College hosts its weekly farmers market on May 6th, connecting the Summit to the everyday life of the neighborhood.

Voices Leading the Conversation

Charles Johnson

Founder, 4Kira4Moms

A nationally recognized advocate and founder dedicated to advancing maternal health equity and reshaping federal policy after the loss of his wife, Kira, to preventable childbirth complications.
Theresa Fortune

Executive Producer, Communion with the Community

A public speaker, actress, director, and founder using art, storytelling, and creative expression to spark dialogue around mental health and social justice in the Black community.
Sandra Igwe

Founder, The Motherhood Group

A highly influential Black maternal health advocate and TEDx speaker driving change and promoting better maternal health outcomes for Black women through events, training, and her best-selling book, "My Black Motherhood."

MEET ALL THE SPEAKERS

A Day of Learning
and Connection

Summit Agenda

The summit will include a full day of programming designed to educate and empower attendees.

Programming will include:

Opening keynote
Panel discussions with maternal health leaders
Breakout workshops
Wellness experiences
Networking opportunities

Full virtual agenda coming soon.

d

Provider or Clinician

$250

Therapists, psychologists, doulas, birth workers, researchers, nonprofit leaders

6 APA-approved CEUs included
Breakfast and lunch both days
Swag bag (tote, t-shirt, notebook)
Fees fund free therapy for Black women

Register as a provider

Student

$100

Currently enrolled in an academic degree program. School email required.

6 APA-approved CEUs included
Breakfast and lunch both days
Swag bag included
School email verification at registration

Register as a student

Black Mother or Birthing Person

Free

Attending in a community capacity, not as a licensed professional.

All community programming
Community baby shower on Day 2
Wellness resources and community space

Register for free

Virtual only · Saturday May 2

Free / $75

10:00 AM to 2:00 PM via Zoom. Free for Black mothers. $75 for providers.

Community-centered programming
Accessible from anywhere in the country
Zoom link sent after registration

Register virtually

All in-person tickets include breakfast and lunch both days and a swag bag. Provider fees fund free therapy for Black women in the perinatal period.

Secure your spot

Registration

VIRTUAL COMMUNITY ACTIVATION

Cannot make it to Compton? Join us on Saturday, May 2nd

9:00 AM to 2:00 PM PST via Zoom · Free for Black mothers and birthing people · $75 for providers

REGISTER FOR FREE

PROVIDER REGISTRATION

Special thanks to our supporters
who make this possible

Partner With Us

Sponsorship Opportunities

Support the Summit at a level that works for your organization. All sponsors receive meaningful visibility, community engagement, and complimentary provider tickets.

Platinum

$50,000

15 to 20 provider tickets

Largest logo placement · Custom activation · 2 social media spotlights · Speaker sponsorship option · Stage acknowledgment · Swag bag inclusion

Inquire now

Gold

$25,000

10 to 12 provider tickets

Large logo placement · Custom activation · 2 social spotlights · Speaker sponsorship option · Stage acknowledgment · Swag bag inclusion

Inquire now

Silver

$10,000

5 to 7 provider tickets

Medium logo placement · 1 social spotlight · Stage acknowledgment · Swag bag inclusion · Branded vendor table

Inquire now

Community Partner

$1K to $5K

2 to 4 tickets by level

Logo on digital materials · 1 social feature · Swag bag inclusion · Stage acknowledgment · Vendor table

Inquire now

In-Kind

Products or services

1 to 3 tickets by value

Logo on digital materials · Social recognition · Swag bag or activation inclusion · Stage acknowledgment

Inquire now

Logo submission deadline: Friday, April 4, 2026. Confirm your sponsorship by April 4th to have your logo on all printed materials, signage, and volunteer t-shirts. Contact drhill@blackgirlsmhc.org to get started. W9, EIN, IRS Letter of Determination, invoice, and MOU available upon request.

Get Involved

More ways to support

Sponsor a food truck

The Summit will feature local, minority-owned food trucks on site. Sponsoring a food truck is a visible, community-affirming way to support the event and connect your brand with the families and professionals in attendance. Food truck sponsorships range from $1,500 to $3,000 per truck.

SPONSOR A FOOD TRUCK
Donate to the baby shower

Day 2 includes a community baby shower for Black mothers and birthing people. Donations of infant and maternal care items, gift cards, diapers, books, or wellness products are warmly welcomed and deeply appreciated by the families we serve.

DONATE ITEMS
Volunteer with us

We are looking for volunteers to support the Summit experience, from setup and guest support to wellness activations and event logistics. Your time and energy make a meaningful difference.

BECOME A VOLUNTEER

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Summit really free for Black mothers and birthing people?

Yes. Admission is completely free for Black mothers and birthing people attending in a community capacity. The free pathway is reserved for community members, not for those attending in a licensed or clinical capacity. If you identify as both a Black mother and a licensed provider, we invite you to register as a provider. Your $250 fee directly funds free therapy for Black women in the perinatal period.

How do I earn CEUs?

Providers who attend the full two-day in-person program will receive 6 APA-approved continuing education credits. You must be present for both full days to receive credit. CEUs are not available for the Saturday virtual session.

What qualifies as a student?

Anyone currently enrolled in an academic degree program qualifies for the $100 student rate. You will be asked to provide your school email address and confirm your current enrollment at registration.

What is the Saturday virtual session?

The Virtual Community Activation takes place Saturday May 2nd from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM via Zoom. It is a standalone event designed for a national audience, free for Black mothers and birthing people, and $75 for providers. This is not a replay of the in-person Summit.

I am a sponsor. What do I need to submit and when?

The logo submission deadline is April 4, 2026. Payment deadline for pre-event communications inclusion is April 11th. Swag bag materials must arrive by April 25th. We can provide a W9, IRS Letter of Determination, EIN, invoice, or MOU upon request. Contact drhill@blackgirlsmhc.org to begin.

What is the Black Maternal Mental Health Summit?

The Black Maternal Mental Health Summit 2026 is a national, in-person gathering designed to center Black women, Black birthing individuals, providers, advocates, and leaders committed to advancing maternal mental health equity. Rooted in culturally affirming, trauma-informed care, the Summit brings together clinicians, birthworkers, researchers, policymakers, and mothers to build sustainable ecosystems of care through dialogue, data, lived experience, and collective healing.

Who should attend?

This event is open to mental health and healthcare providers, doulas, midwives, and birthworkers, OB/GYNs, nurses, and medical professionals, social workers and therapists, community advocates and nonprofit leaders, policy professionals and funders, researchers and students, and mothers, caregivers, and anyone passionate about Black maternal wellness. If you care about advancing culturally responsive maternal mental health care, this space is for you.

What does the day look like?

The Summit is a full-day immersive experience including an opening welcome and grounding ritual, keynote address, breakout sessions spanning clinical, policy, lived experience, and wellness tracks, provider-focused sessions, community and mothers circle sessions, wellness activations including movement, breathwork, and reflection spaces, a networking and vendor marketplace, and a closing collective reflection.

Will there be different tracks?

Yes. We anticipate offering a Providers Track covering clinical, systems, research, and policy conversations, a Community and Mothers Track featuring storytelling, healing-centered workshops, and peer connection, and joint sessions including keynotes and collective gatherings. Attendees will be able to select breakout sessions during registration or onsite.

Will accessibility accommodations be available?

Yes. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible experience. Planned accommodations include an ADA-compliant venue, reserved seating for accessibility needs, live captioning where applicable, a lactation room, and a quiet reflection space. If you require specific accommodations, please indicate this during registration or email us in advance.

Will there be vendors?

Yes. The Summit will feature a curated Vendor Marketplace highlighting Black-owned maternal wellness brands, mental health resources, community organizations, and perinatal support services. Vendor applications will open soon.

Will my licensing board accept the CEUs?

We are approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Most professional licensings including LMFTs, LPCCs, LCSWs, and LEPs accept APA continuing education credits. Please check with your licensing board directly to confirm acceptance. For further assistance contact yuri@bgmhfoundation.org.

How will I receive my CE certificate?

You will receive an email verification survey after the event. Once completed, you can expect your CE credit certification within 1 to 3 weeks of the Summit.

How can I stay updated?

Join our newsletter at bgmhfoundation.org and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook at @blackgirlsmh for the latest announcements, speaker reveals, and registration updates.

Who can I contact with additional questions?

For general inquiries, email bmmhsummit2026@bgmhfoundation.org. A member of our team will respond within 1 to 2 business days.

Don’t Miss This Moment

Join providers, mothers, and community leaders to shape the future of Black maternal mental health.

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BLACK
Maternal
Mental Health
Summit 2026