EMPOWERING SAN DIEGO’S NEW MOMS DURING BLACK BREASTFEEDING WEEK

San Diego County’s Black Infant Health Program held its 10th annual Black maternal and infant health awareness event Saturday, August 20. Black Breastfeeding Week is August 25 - August 31.

By: TJ Dunnivant | Contributing Writer

August is National Breastfeeding Month and August 25th through August 31st is Black Breastfeeding Week (BBW). Last Saturday, San Diego County’s Black Infant Health Program (BIH) did its part to help the community kick-off BBW and give new moms tons of resourceful information, food and gifts.

A San Diego mother and her baby girl received a free thermometer from a representative of Ruby’s Loving Hands, a participating local organization at the Neighborhood House Association’s San Diego County Black Infant Health annual Black Breastfeeding Week celebration held Saturday, August 20, 2022. PHOTO: TJ Dunnivant.

Global Communities Healthy Start organization members handing out diapers and information.

TJ Dunnivant

BIH hosted their 10th annual awareness event at Valencia Park Elementary along with Global Communities Healthy Start. The combined effort was intended to raise awareness about San Diego organizations that are in place to reduce Black maternal and infant mortality rates and increase breastfeeding among the families in our community.

The vibe last Saturday was upbeat and festive as the DJ played hits like “Me, Myself and I” while horns honked at signs that said, “Honk for Black Breastfeeding.” Cowbells rang as each car drove through and received gifts and information. Bass-filled chatter, hand slaps, and laughter rang out at the Phi Beta Sigma, SDSU Fraternity Chapter booth, where they handed out food. They were clearly overfilled with joy to volunteer for the great cause.

Black Infant Health is funded and contracted through San Diego County and subcontracted through Neighborhood House Association, one of the largest nonprofit social services agencies in San Diego County. BIH Director, Iris Payne, was excited to introduce the co-collaborators of the event and talk about the importance of this 10th annual affair.

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