November 2025

Prematurity Awareness Month, National Native American Heritage Month

It’s Prematurity Awareness Month, and while we know many in our community don’t need reminders of just how often babies (1 out of 10) are born too soon, we’re grateful for the attention this important observance brings to this issue. Here are two valuable resources to support families navigating the newborn intensive care unit and/or caring for a preemie.

MILK Lab's NICU Toolkit

The Milk Research Lab has created two interactive community-centered toolkits for the NICU setting. The first toolkit, NICU Toolkit for Black Families was created to provide Black families with resources to better guide and support their NICU experiences. The second toolkit, NICU Toolkit for Hospitals & Birth Centers to Better Support Black Families, was developed to provide hospitals and birth centers with recommendations to promote health equity and justice to better serve Black communities.

SUPPREEMIE Saturdays – A NICU Support Group for Black Moms

This group is a safe, loving space created especially for Black mothers navigating the NICU journey. They gather to feel seen, heard, and held — because no one should have to go through this alone. Whether you're looking for encouragement, community, or simply a place to breathe, you are welcome.

Don't Forget to Vote!

The 2025 California Statewide Special Election is today, Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Make your voice heard by casting your ballot!

To ensure your vote is counted: Return your completed ballot: Use mail, a drop box, or your local polling place. Ballots must be postmarked by Election Day or returned via drop box or polling place by 8 p.m. on November 4.

Don’t forget to sign: Your mailed ballot envelope must be signed to be counted.

Connecting Cells to Community: A Symposium on Placental Research

When: Wednesday, November 5th, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

Where: Millberry Union Conference Center, UCSF Parnassus Campus, 500 Parnassus Ave, San Francisco, CA 94143

The event is free. Advanced registration is required.

This event is in-person only.

Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

• Research Insights, including:
• Human Placenta 101 - Dr. Virginia Winn, Director of Reproductive, Stem Cell and Perinatal Biology, Stanford University
• The Placenta, Population Disparities, and Pregnancy Outcomes - Dr. Gary Shaw, Professor of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Stanford University
• Accessible Communications and Research - Areca Smit, Center for Birth Justice and PTBi Executive Director, UCSF
• The Atlas Single-Cell Placenta Project - Dr. Jingjing Li, Associate Professor at the Broad Center for Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research at UCSF School of Medicine
• Relationship-building between researchers and community members, led by our Atlas Community Advisory Board
• Interactive workshop on a "Toolkit for Community-Partnered Research"

Building a Better Future and Driving Change at the 2025 California Black Birth Equity Summit

The 2025 California Black Birth Equity Summit was an astounding success. The energy, the learning, the community building, and the JOY were all unmatched. We are so grateful to have co-hosted again under the loving leadership of Summit Director Mashariki Kudumu, in collaboration with the California Coalition for Black Birth Justice and with partnership from the Summit planning committee. Stay tuned for in-depth recaps and more in upcoming newsletters.

Safe Spaces in Health Care Webinar

On September 20, Governor Newsom signed Senate Bill (SB) 81 (Arreguín), Safe Spaces in Health Care, into law. The new state law provides critical limitations on immigration enforcement at health facilities (hospitals, clinics, etc).

Attend the webinar to gain an overview of SB 81, learn best practices for limiting immigration enforcement at health facilities, and discover resources that promote the protections outlined in SB 81.

Spanish interpretation will be provided.

When: Tuesday, November 4, 2:00 - 3:00 pm PT

Where: Virtual (Zoom)

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. The event happens 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, November 8, 12:00 - 3:30 pm PT

Where: Bayview YMCA

1601 Lane St., San Francisco, CA 94124

New Laws to Protect Reproductive Freedom



In the midst of nationwide challenges to rights, Governor Gavin Newsom recently signed two laws to protect access to reproductive care.

AB 260 lets health care providers prescribe abortion medication anonymously, ensuring that California health plans cover mifepristone regardless of FDA approval status, and adds legal protections for clinicians administering medication abortion.

AB 1525 ensures attorneys cannot be penalized in California for assisting with reproductive care access, even if their actions violate the laws of another state.

California Modernizes Alternative Birth Center Regulations



AB 55, known as the Freedom to Birth Act, updates regulations for alternative birth centers in California by removing requirements that have created barriers to expanding the number of birth centers in the state. 

It eliminates the requirement for certification under Medi-Cal’s definition of comprehensive perinatal services and instead requires new, specified standards for perinatal care. 

Additionally, it removes the proximity-to-hospital requirement for emergencies and replaces procedures for hospital transfers, including referral processes, transfer arrangements, record sharing, and emergency planning.

Food Assistance During SNAP Interruptions

Due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, CalFresh benefits, funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), are experiencing disruptions.

Note that the California WIC program remains unaffected, and benefits for pregnant individuals and young children will continue as usual.

Visit the CalFresh FAQ webpage for updates.

California State Senator Jesse Arreguín has a list of resources available for those in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Be Part of the CARE Lab’s Fight for Reproductive Justice and Equity

Dr. Brittany Chambers Butcher’s CARE Lab (Community Strategies to Advance Reproductive Justice and Equity) is proud to join the UC Davis Crowd Fund. This campaign is dedicated to advancing Black maternal health, and you can be part of the movement!



The CARE Lab is driving change through training community leaders, expanding access to culturally responsive care, and advocating for policy reform. Your support empowers every step of this critical work.

This isn’t just about fundraising, it’s about raising awareness, sparking action, and building a community grounded in justice, equity, and care.

Virtual Postpartum Support Circle for Northern California Native Families

A welcoming space for local Native families with new babies to share in the joys and challenges of pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting with children up to two years.

The biweekly gathering is organized by Aunties On The River Collective, who support Indigenous Doulas who have familial ties to the rivers of Northern California.

When: Sunday, November 16, 10:00 - 11:00 am PT

Where: Virtual (Zoom)

Apply for a Black Midwifery Scholarship!

Californians for the Advancement of Midwifery (CAM) is excited to announce that applications for our 2025 Bridget "Biddy" Mason Black Midwifery Scholarship and Financial Aid Fund are now being accepted! The deadline to submit an application is Friday, November 14th, 2025.

For more information, see the FAQ.

Thought Prompt of the Month

Did you attend the 2025 Black Birth Equity Summit? We want to hear from you. Share a reflection, a connection, an aha, or an inspiration!

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.

Michele Poole

Mother of Preemie Twins, Breastfeeding Advocate

Michele delivered twins at just 23 weeks, each weighing a pound. She didn't find support from her doctors. With support from her community, she got through having her twins in the NICU for 103 days.

Read Michele's Story

Kristi Hernandez-Barrientez

Researcher

A preemie herself, Kristi experienced a premature birth of her daughter at 26 weeks. She spent two months in the NICU, and the experience inspired Kristi to join the Moms’ and Dads’ Council, where she developed a mentoring program to help other NICU parents.

Read Kristi's Story