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August 2025
National Breastfeeding Month, Black Breastfeeding Week
| | Supporting Every Parent's Journey on National Breastfeeding Month and Black Breastfeeding Week | | |
National Breastfeeding Month raises awareness of the important role that breastfeeding and chestfeeding plays in nurturing both infant and maternal well-being.
Black Breastfeeding Week (August 25 to 31) brings attention to the challenges faced by Black birthing people, including the disparities in chestfeeding support and education. This week serves as a platform for advocacy, education, and community support. It's all about empowering Black birthing people with the resources and encouragement they need to breastfeed successfully, creating healthier futures for their families.

For a better understanding of the issues around breastfeeding, PTBi produced a landscape analysis for the San Francisco Department of Public Health that outlines the community's strengths, resources, and needs around human milk feeding.
Read the Report
Over at Voices For Birth Justice, we have an excellent overview of breastfeeding for Black families, including many great resources.
Read Breastfeeding as Birth Justice
| | Black Breastfeeding Week Events |
Picnic at the Lake
Bring your blankets, picnic baskets, and loved ones for a relaxing day outdoors with family-friendly activities, shared laughter, and uplifting conversation. Hosted in collaboration with EMBRACE, UCSF California Preterm Birth Initiative, Committed to Black Wellness, and Voices for Birth Justice.
When: Friday, August 8, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm PT
Where: Eastshore Park, Lake Merritt, Oakland, CA 94610
Register Now
Breast Friends Annual Summer Boob-e-Que
Enjoy a delicious barbecue, connect with local resources, and participate in games and activities for all ages, all in a joyful, affirming space that centers Black families and builds community power.
When: Friday, August 29, 12:00 - 6:00 pm PT
Where: Heather Farm Park
301 North San Carlos Dr., Walnut Creek, CA, 94598
Register Now
The Women of Wellness program from Roots Community Health is hosting several events throughout the week:
Kick-Off & Welcome
Start the week with an inspiring online gathering that introduces the theme, honors community partners, and sets the tone for learning and collective empowerment.
When: Monday, August 25, 5:30 - 7:30 pm PT
Where: Virtual, Zoom
Brown Table Talk: Let It Flow, Sis!
A bold conversation between Black maternal health experts, lactation professionals, doulas, and parents.
When: Wednesday, August 27, 6:00 - 7:30 pm PT
Where: 38 S. Second St., San Jose, CA 95113
Community Celebration
Finish the week with a vibrant celebration for families and supporters with free community resources, on-site lactation and doula support, info, raffles, music, and food. This is a safe space for connection, storytelling, and shared joy.
When: Saturday, August 30, 11:00 am - 4:00 pm PT
Where: 1811 S. 7th St. Suite D, San Jose, CA 95112
Learn More and Get Free Tickets
| | National Breastfeeding Month Events |
Breastfeeding Walk 2025
Show your support by walking and discover the support and assistance available on your breastfeeding journey. Hosted by the San Francisco WIC Program in partnership with the San Francisco Breastfeeding Coalition!
When: Wednesday, August 6, 11:30 am - 1:00 pm PT
Where: In Front of SF City Hall
1 Dr Carlton B Goodlett Pl, San Francisco, CA 94102
Register Now
Walk for Breastfeeding Awareness
Join the Healthy Horizons Peninsula Breastfeeding Center in raising awareness for breastfeeding during National Breastfeeding Month and World Breastfeeding Week.
When: Saturday, August 9, 9:45 - 11:00 am PT
Where: Healthy Horizons Peninsula Breastfeeding Center
1432 Burlingame Ave, Burlingame, CA 94010
Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital (ZSFG) Milk Drive
Help a baby in need! The Birthing Department at ZSFG is partnering with Mothers’ Milk Bank of California to host a “Milk Drive.” All birthing parents with extra breast/chest milk to donate are encouraged to drop off their frozen milk on the day of the event.
When: Wednesday, August 27, 11:00 am - 2:00 pm PT
Where: ZSFG
1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110
Register and Get Pre-Screened
Can't make it? There are milk drives all month long across the state.
See the Complete List

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SF Pregnancy Family Village
This free event for Black pregnant residents and families in San Francisco provides a reliable one-stop shop of offerings built around the community’s stated needs and engaging within environments that are uplifting, supportive, and dignified. Every second Saturday of the month from 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm.
A complementary lunch is served at noon with music, free maternity clothes, yoga, and more!
When: Saturday, August 9, 12:00 - 3:30 pm PT
Where: Bayview YMCA
1601 Lane St., San Francisco, CA 94124
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Funding Opportunity for Maternal Mental Health Organizations
Families at the HEART from the Perigee Fund is now accepting proposals!
Unlike traditional funding models that focus on direct services, this initiative empowers organizations to develop and expand their unique methods tailored to the specific needs of their communities.
The program offers a one-time upfront award of $425,000 for a three-year grant period (January 2026–December 2028) to support leadership and capacity-building efforts.
Deadline for Expressions of Interest is August 15, 2025, 5:00 pm PT
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Free Birthing Training
This 6-week series, from the Black Birthing Health Initiative, is a nurturing and empowering workshop created for Black-identifying birthing people and a support person of their choice.
This training is free for people who live in San Francisco and are pregnant.
When: Saturdays, August 9 to September 13, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm PT
Where: Homeless Children’s Network
1426 Fillmore St., San Francisco, CA 94115
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Funding to Train and Strengthen California’s Medi-Cal Doula Workforce
Proposals for awards of $25,000 - $35,000 from the California Maternal Health Innovation Program are now being accepted.
The awards support California’s doula hubs, and doula organizations that train, recruit, and/or support doulas, and/or introduce and connect doulas with public health programs, providers, and maternal health agencies.
Deadline for proposals is August 22, 2025, 12:00 pm PT
| | | Become a Sponsor and Help the California Black Birth Equity Summit Expand In-Person Availability | |
By becoming a sponsor, your contribution will increase the capacity, allowing us to welcome more voices and foster greater engagement. Registration to the event, exhibit spaces to connect directly with attendees, and branding visibility are some great sponsor benefits included.
Don’t miss this opportunity to partner with the California Black Birth Equity Summit, enhance your brand’s presence, and play a crucial role in increasing the reach of this landmark summit. Together, we can create lasting change and ensure a more inclusive event.
Sponsorship levels start at only $1,500!
Learn More About Sponsorship Opportunities
Interest Form
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Join Black Mamas Meet Up
A virtual postpartum group for Black mamas with children up to 3 years old meets every second and fourth Friday of the month from
11:00 am - 12:00 pm PT. Most meetings are virtual with periodic in-person family-friendly activities.
The next session is on August 22.
Sign Up for the Black Mamas Meet Up
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Thought Prompt of the Month
What qualities do you need to cultivate strong connections with others?
The we'd love to hear from you!
If you feel moved you can leave a message either by phone or through the link below.
Voicemail: (415) 502-5601 or Submit Online
| | Please note that messages left on voicemail or submitted online may be shared via our newsletter, website, social media, or other channels. | |
Featured Reply
Who are the people having a positive impact on you and your community?
“The ladies at my church have been amazing - bringing meals when the baby was a new born, watching him sometimes so I can grab a shower. Miss Linda especially, she’s like a second mom to me. Also my neighbor Rosa, she’s got three kids already and is always sharing hand-me-downs and advice.” - Evelyn
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Brandi Gates-Burgess
Mom, Lactation and Infant Feeding Specialist
Getting hired as a breastfeeding peer counselor at Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program changed everything for Brandi. Seeing more ways to help, Brandi decided to become a International Board Certified Lactation Consultant to help improve the breastfeeding rate in Oakland. Through Breast Friends, a lactation community support group, Brandi increased local breast feeding rates from 12% to 67%.
Read Brandi's Story
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TaNefer Lumukanda Camara
Mom, Lactation and Infant Feeding Specialist, Doula
As a lactation consultant, TaNefer sees breastfeeding as a reclamation of Black history, culture, and traditions. Not only does breast milk nourish the baby, it also protects them from disease and has health benefits for the parents. TaNefer is invested in raising her voice as a birth justice advocate, as well as her lactation consultancy practice, to center Black communities by being rooted in Black culture.
Read Tanefer's Story
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Cultivate Connections with PTBi's August Zoom Background
August's background features Monica McLemore, Badass Thinker and Nurse-Researcher.
Download Background
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